The Undergraduate Senate is creating a task force to discuss diversity within the Student Government.
The group will meet with organizations representing marginalized students to discuss issues these groups think the Senate should address, as well as ways to get underrepresented groups more involved in SG, according to Tim McBride, senator for the Class of 2013 and co-chair of the group.
“The biggest thing is SG initiative for people to be more cognizant that they should be reaching out to people of varying backgrounds and perspectives,” McBride said.
The announcement of the task force’s creation follows a recent AWOL article noting a lack of female and minority representatives in the SG.
“It was something that was obvious, but I think it really hit home for a lot of senators, particularly the discussions that we had afterward,” McBride said. “It was clear that this was something we should address.”
Elizabeth Richards, a Class of 2012 senator and one of eight female senators of 27 total, said the SG has never addressed this problem “head on” and thinks the new initiative is an important step.
“Women constitute more than a majority of students at AU and it’s just important that our student government reflects the student body as a whole,” she said.?????
Hadid Simmons, a School of International Service senator, said the task force will provide a “much-needed conversation” in the Senate.
“It’ll provide a more all-inclusive environment where minorities and members of marginalized groups in the university community will be able to pursue and enjoy greater representation in the Undergraduate Senate,” he said.?
Most students join the SG as a result of a current member’s encouragement, so senators need to start recruiting from marginalized groups, according to McBride.
“It’s one thing when a member of your community suggests that you should run, but it’s a whole other thing when someone who doesn’t seem like you asks you and tells you that they think you’d be a good candidate,” McBride said.
The group will be focusing more on engagement and outreach than on specific requirements for diversity, according to McBride.
“I’m not going to force anyone to do anything that they don’t want,” McBride said. “It’s going to be encouraging [senators] to go to these meetings of Queers and Allies and Eco-Sense or to meet with members of African-American fraternities to learn about the issues and to encourage them to run.”
The group wants to make it clear that the SG is open to all students.
“There is a perception out there that this is a predominately white, male group,” said McBride. “It’s something that needs to be changed. We need to make it clear, we need to make it extra clear, that that’s not the case.”
mzoglo@theeagleonline.com
