The General Assembly approved their new constitution on Sunday, making several significant and not-so-significant changes. Among other changes, the new constitution lowers the number of GA seats and calls for a name-change for both the GA and SC. The new constitution must now be ratified by a student-population vote before taking effect.
One of the biggest changes in the new constitution is the removal of 10 GA seats, shrinking the overall number to 30. This move is long-overdue. Fewer seats means more competition for each seat, which hopefully means that only the most dedicated and well-qualified candidates will campaign and work to keep their seats. Students who just run for office to win barely contested races and pad their r?sum? are less likely to make it through to office now. Also, a smaller group allows them to govern more efficiently and effectively.
The fact that the oft-criticized governing body is taking steps to examine itself and make changes to bring about a higher standard is encouraging. Change can only come from within.
However, while the name changes were made with the intent of better representing the governing body, it's not a good start. The decision to change the names of the SC to Student Government and GA to University Senate is just wasteful - costing $2,000 for a trivial logo change on materials like banners and folders.
The goal of the new constitution is to create a more streamlined governing system, but spending money on the name change does not embody that goal. SC President Polson Kanneth said the name change was necessary, implying that people might think the Student Confederation is similar to the southern Confederacy of the Civil War. This seems unreasonable and not worth $2,000.
In the coming weeks, students will have a chance to vote on the new constitution before it can go into effect. Like the presidential election, it's important to decide where you stand and cast a vote.
Students complain about student government, as expected, but it is unfair to complain without putting in the effort to try to impact it positively.
