Catching Lightning in a Bottle

Sometimes you can work and train and sweat and bleed for something so badly and never quite reach it. And sometimes that very same thing will fall into your lap with just a little bit of luck. That is where my thought process is right now in regards to the student body and their representative body. I look at the student leaders, not just in SGA, but around campus and look at how hard they work and the time and energy they put in, and how sometimes it yields little results. And then take an activist like myself who hits a few key strokes and suddenly people are mobilizing, debate is ensuing, and the campus is stirring. What is it about a blog that can get people so rilled up?

To me the phrase "catching lightning in a bottle" relates specifically to student government and their approach to getting the students at large to participate. I think interest and involvement is at its peak when times are at their worst. Take for instance the race based incidents that happened a few years ago. Students began organizing more efficiently, getting involved with student government and trying to resolve the issues. These are the times that SGA is needed most, and to their credit they have mostly been able to rise to the occasion and address student concerns. But it is the down times when students get too lazy, stop caring, and do not put in the necessary effort. There is no greater example of this that than the fall semester. This downturn lead to other missteps (within the meetings themselves) and eventually gave creation to an underground watchdog machine.

What I am trying to question is: does SGA need a massive incident to get itself going? Or is it capable of reaching the student body and efficiently dealing with issues without an incident? I honestly do not know the answer to that question. Through my observations, and limited research, I would say that the SGA is incapable of making a difference without some sort of catastrophe (a lightning bolt). I could be dead wrong, and I would encourage dissenters to challenge me. But I feel that student government needs a bolt of lightning to get its behind in gears.

Now can that body generate the lightning itself? That remains to be seen. I believe yes. I believe that if the E-board wanted to take action on something, or if a group or the entire senate rallied behind something, that the aftereffects would be tremendous. The question is; why haven't they yet? Surely it is not for lack of issues. I have compiled a decent list through my entries, and we could even take some advice from 'Thomas Paine' and develop a list of complaints to nail on someones door. But no one has yet. The first step in this process must be a realization within the organization of the power the students possess.

Students in the 1960's realized it and were able to challenge lots of things. The SGA needs a refresher course in ACTIVISM. Sending resolutions to the administration regarding issues is only a baby step (and one that the SGA has barely taken this year) having open conversations with administration leaders about topics and questioning why they do not favor students more. Drastic demonstrations are also a viable option. I would not be totally against nailing a list of grievances to the door of President Rochon, and sending copies to the ITHACAN and the Ithaca Times. WHY NOT?! If Provost Roundtree does not respect our VP of Academics then we should stand up and say something about it. They need to pay attention to us. What did Terry say to the senate last week? That Ithaca was in a better financial state than many universities because IC does not rely on endowment as much as tuition. THEY NEED US! Do not tell me that we are doing all we can, and that we do not have the power to initiate change. I call bull shit. We are the machine that runs this place, and if the students don't realize this then they only have themselves to blame. That's it for now. My vocal chords are strained from all the caps lock I was typing. Be well and be safe. 1

Questioning Their Own Existance

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If an organization meets and no one cares, does it still matter? That might have been the general feeling in the Taughannock Falls meeting room last night as the SGA reconvened for the first meeting of the Spring semester. A few senators openly questioned their involvement in the group and if any of their time they have given here has meant anything. "What have I actually done?" Its a legitimate question, and one that the SGA may grapple for some time to come. From my observation there was a lot of open discussion in that general meeting, and students seemed energized by the blog and how it seems to openly the floodgates to actual constructive dialog. For those that are satisfied with their doings, and feel complacent, I would like to know if you are still going to feel the same when change arrives, and people start flying by you in productivity.

There was a ton of discussion about these entries and I just wanted to clear a few things up. "I am no Obama." First and foremost. I am not here to stand on a pulpit and to be followed and to get elected. I am simply trying to bring to light certain issues, and inspire people to think critically of themselves and their community. Not surface responses but digging into that part of the brain that would rather not touch controversial issues/thoughts with a 60 ft pole. "I am more like Martin Luther", in the sense that I have a list of general complaints about the establishment and I intend to nail that list to the proverbial front door (but not the real meeting door, because I'd get in a bit of trouble). I do not have to take the reigns and see the change through, but I can damn sure blow the whistle when I find something that is wrong.

My true belief is that one day this SGA will not need a ICWatchdog, and will be running so smoothly that I will not have to do this. But I am sure even if that were to happen, someone else with entirely different principles would arrive to change them back to something else. I do not write this blog maliciously, or with ill will. Only with the hope that this year and next year I can provide some insight to what is going on to people who do not attend meetings, and provide some criticism for those who do.

Onto other topics... It seems as if President Rochon will finally be around this month to introduce himself to the elected student leaders of Ithaca College. If you have any questions for him to answer during the meeting, please post them as a comment. Don't be shy. He has been quiet around campus so far, and I for one would like to know what plans he has for us.

The SGA will once again attempt to take a stab at the shuttle system. I believe most students would like the system, but there is a deep flaw. Everytime the system is proposed, the person who heads the project begins by attempting the re-invent the wheel. They always start from the beginning, and the last two (Former SGA president Aaron Bloom and current E-board member Jeff Goodwin) are attempting to complete the proposal by themselves. What makes more sense; getting something accomplished throughout the semester by yourself in an independent study program, or getting a rather large group (committee??) together, to do the heavy lifting and actually accomplish the project before May 17th? I don't know, maybe I AM JUST INSANE...

I am not going to go into length about the budget in this entry. All you need to know is that the SGA started the academic school year with about $400,000 left in the budget and as of Tuesday that number was down to approximately $21,000. (I'll let that one sink in for a moment). I think it is time the budget committee opens up its book for a serious housecleaning and overhaul. All records need to be placed online, dating back to as far as they can, as well as making all future allocations available immediately online, for all to see. The word is TRANSPARENCY. Something completely lacking in SGA.

One meeting down, and lots of work ahead. Will SGA members continue to question their own existence as a body, or will they take the reigns of their destiny and make a difference? I do not have anything close that might resemble an answer. I am just a watchdog. Be well and be safe. 1

Looking Foward...

...To the Spring Semester. Being here for most of winter break, I have had time to dwell on the problems of the semester that past, and what is approaching in the next few months. There are many issues and events approaching in the coming months, and I will attempt to outline some of them in this entry. This is an extremely important time period for the SGA and I cannot stress this enough. With the majority of the senate being underclassmen, the group has an opportunity to set in motion great things to be had in the coming years. In meetings, the E-Board has raved about the work of the freshman senators, but this work must translate into tangible accomplishments to set up next year. It seems to be trying times for the current SGA, there has to be something to look forward to, especially if current members want to keep their seats, and not be beat out by challengers. Just like in actual politics, incumbents must prove to their constituents that they deserve their position, or otherwise lose the next election. Also, seniors must try to avoid complacency and lame-duck status, that could bring down the groups entire productivity.

So let's get into the crystal ball and look what is coming for this semester:

1) the BUDGET!

Maybe the single most important issue of the year. Everywhere you here about the global financial crisis, and the recession, and now that has reached the doorstep of the SGA. Like many organizations we are facing a budget crisis, and are going to run out of money very quickly this year. The SGA was caught completely off-guard about this. While the rest of the country was dealing with financial turmoil, the VP of Budget and Finance and the rest of the e-board did not take precautionary measures to scale back the budget, or allocate less. In fact the SGA gave away money to groups that they shouldn't have a few times in the fall, further hurting the budget situation. BUT, that VP is now on study abroad and the SGA is forced to break in a new VP of B & F. I ask the question, can the new VP plug the holes up before SGA capsizes? And by that I think the student population would like to know the plans of the newbie as he takes the reigns in an organization with a tremendous budget shortfall. What will be his actions when an established student group comes to ask for a reasonably budget request and they are denied? Will students begin revolting, because the SGA cannot fund them anymore? All the while some organization had the benefit of receiving funds they were not entitled too. Especially, since this new VP was partly responsible for that in the first place. All I know is that the new VP will be on a short leash with his decisions as the student body president has already expressed interest in taking further control in this department anyway. But its the most important issue to look forward to in spring '09.

2) Communication

Speaking of our newly elected VP's, we also have one for Communication. Looking forward SGA must wonder how will he fare in his new position. The group elected an relative outsider to the group (in contrast to the other candidates) and I must ask, will this work out? Will he express an outside opinion, will he fall in line with the rest of the E-board, or possibly become a 'maverick' and do his own thing? His messages are already beginning to be received by the students, but will it continue, or could he be effectively silenced by the E-board if he gets too far out of line? 20 something pairs of eyes will be watching these new 'outsiders' constantly (or at least for the first few meetings).

3) Senate Discussions

Will the senate finally discuss something of importance?!?!?! No more chalking. No more ITS. At the first meeting, a senator NEEDS to make a motion to use discussion time for a SERIOUS ISSUE! It does not matter if it is not the most pressing matter at hand that day. It only matters that the body does something of merit with the valuable time they have together. It does not matter the way they do it, only that it is an open and honest discussion of relative importance, and a creative brainstorming session about what to do next.

Here is a list of possible issues that can be discussed at any time, in any capacity.

A) Rising tuition- It is the responsibility of the student government to discuss rising tuition, and a lack of increase in the overall student experience. I am going to have pay more next year than this year, and yet my student funds were cut lower, and my college life has dramatically suffered. To the average student...THAT AIN'T RIGHT! It would nice if SGA could devote some precious time to that issue.

B)Shuttle System - No progress since President Aaron Bloom graduated. It was a majority priority of the Reconstruction Team, and not a word since they graduated on progress. Come on already. This needs a specific committee and it needs to happen rapidly. The term shuttle system is starting to become on par with other terms such as: 'Chinese Democracy', 'Detox', World Peace and Pipe Dream.

C) New Administration - No united communication with President Rochon yet huh? Well nice to see he cares about SGA. Peggy Williams at least gave a state of the college address once a semester, but I am sure he's busy with other things. Maybe he hasn't give SGA the light of day, because the group has not given him any reason to do so. I am sure if the SGA did something controversial, say write a strong declaration for lower tuition, it would certainly get his attention. Until that time the senate will be forced to have third party communication with him through the SGA President. The senate needs to know however. They need to know is Rochon would like them to do anything (besides the stellar work so far) or do MORE in the eyes of the current administration. Does Rochon have a plan for SGA? Is he going to come in one day we massive changes for us to adopt? What about the state of our strategic plan (whatever that is) compared to IC's strat plan?

E) Support for Faculty and Staff - There were a series of email in the Ithacan last semester about a faculty being denied tenure and possibly for controversial reasons. Now I am not saying that we should have started a protest or anything like that. But would it have killed us to set aside some time for something like this. Instead of messing around, or getting ancy to leave early we should consider such issues, and whether the SGA has a formal opinion on any of it.

Any minuscule issue can be transformed into a serious discussion. A question about whether Public Safety unfairly targets students, especially minorities could be an all night affair, but we refuse to acknowledge it. Time for a change people. And the time comes directly after MLK Jr. Day. I am just saying... Be well and be safe. 1