The ninth session of the AU Student Government Undergraduate Senate is comprised of 20 male senators and only two female senators. It is unacceptable for a school where 65 percent of the student body is female to only have 10 percent of senators be women. We need a senate that fairly reflects the diversity of the student body. We should have more women serve in the undergraduate senate to ensure that their concerns are heard in the decision-making process.
AU prides itself on inclusion and diversity, but that diversity is not reflected in the senate.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait until the fall 2014 senate elections to fix this lack of fair representation. It can be fixed right now. There are currently eight vacancies in the senate: two seats for senator-at-large positions, three seats for Class of 2015 senator positions and three seats for the Class of 2014 senator positions.
In order to fill the vacancies, a student must apply online. After they apply, they will be interviewed. President Patrick Kelly and Speaker of the Senate Kevin Levy will pick the persons they feel are most qualified. Once the candidates are chosen, the senate votes on whether or not to confirm them.
It is my sincere hope that more women will apply to fill the vacant seats. We need them. We need their opinions, their input and their representation. I am confident that we will fix this unfairness and make the Senate a more inclusive body that accurately reflects the diversity of our great student body.
Bryan Paz is a freshman in the School of Public Affairs. He is also an undergraduate senator for the Class of 2017.
