For the last two terms, Student Assembly has allowed itself to be bogged down by a political red herring: the issue of so-called Student Assembly reform. While Student Assembly has continued to debate their committee structure and their relationships with other flawed funding organizations, students have been neglected.
I am running for a very simple reason: to put Student Assembly back on track by using its power effectively to lobby the administration. Right now, Student Assembly approaches issues by assigning them to a committee, passing a resolution, and then giving that resolution to an administration that ignores them wholesale. By relying on a Student Assembly president that sets clear goals and challenges the President and the Provost, we can have action on issues that need to be addressed at Dartmouth:
24-hour food: In 2003, the Student Government at Florida State University got the administration to put in a 24-hour diner. How? They just met with the President and told him it was important to students.
24-hour libraries: Stanford, Brown and the University of Virginia all have 24-hour library access; we deserve much more than just The 1902 Room. Total cost to Dartmouth? An extra $300 a night for four to six student workers and the Provost has expressed his support.
No-cost cable boxes: $300 to watch TV in your dorm room is outrageous. The administration could lease these to students at a lower rate, but because of failed action from Student Assembly, we'll simply have a new marker of class on campus.
Principles of Community in every course syllabus: Dartmouth remains divided by very real issues of race; the Board of Trustees have made policy that describes the obligation of all students to make Dartmouth a welcoming place. Why don't we use course syllabi to re-commit to this important policy?
A task force on race: There is a great willingness on campus to address these issues, yet no one is bringing students together to create a plan to bridge gaps on campus. To do this, we need to bring together students from all parts of our community, including Greeks and athletes, and build a plan of action.
A SAPA on every floor: Preventing sexual assault means creating a climate of awareness around the root issues that cause it; there is no more effective way to address this than through peer education. By pushing the administration to offer cash stipends for students willing to serve as SAPAs, we can ensure that we have a student resource on every residence hall floor and in every Greek house.
We don't have to settle for ineffective student government. It's time for Student Assembly to become an organization that delivers on issues that are important to everyone.
