To the Editor:
As members of the Student Assembly, we were disappointed with the house editorial "The Usual Suspects." Despite the approach taken by the D, we maintain that the Student Assembly is a credible body capable of effecting positive change for all members of the Dartmouth community.
We have never claimed to be a perfect organization. We have never claimed to be perfectly representative. We have never claimed to have all the answers. But that shouldn't detract from the work that we have accomplished, nor should it invite un-constructive criticism in what should be a time of cooperation and innovation towards enhancement of the undergraduate life at Dartmouth.
The Student Assembly, like Dartmouth as a whole, has evolved over time. This year's Assembly should be seen as one phase in the continual growth process of a group of students. In the past five years, the Assembly's focus has changed from one of international politics and organizational in-fighting to an organization devoted to providing services to students and to communicating student sentiment to the administration in order to bring change on a broader scale. Despite the common misconception that SA provides limited services, this year's Assembly has provided "Uh-Oh" Reminder Blitzes, a shuttle to A-lot, subsidized tickets for athletic and Hop events, and reduced library photocopies to five cents, among other services. We have also continued to work on broader scale issues such as cable in dorms, funding for student organizations, and a D-Plan review. We also strive to enhance communication between all segments of the Dartmouth community.
Voter turn-out for campus-wide elections and referendums has always been less than half of the student body. However, each vote has seen an increase in the number of student participants. The last referendum, a vote on the campus SLI report, was written by members of the Student Assembly. 2,211 students voted with an 87% approval rating of the entire report. The greater competition in this current election is an outgrowth of increased student involvement.
We do understand that many students still see the Assembly as a joke. But that number continues to decrease each year. We are a group of students who are concerned about Dartmouth as a whole. Our meetings are open to all individuals. Others who are interested in improving the Assembly, the campus, and the community are, as always, welcome to join us.
It may be fashionable to criticize SA, but over sixty students come out every week because they feel the Assembly is a valuable means of improving Dartmouth.
