"Useless legislation born of ignorance raises the voice of no one. It silences them all."
I think Russell Greim is just "chanting" and "beating his drum" too loudly to know the facts and importance of student government.
Maybe it is from a lack of research that he doesn't understand that Student Government Association is a student activist organization that raises awareness for student issues. It surprises me that a political science major who enjoys voting in May and November won't vote in the SGA election. There will be SGA representatives representing him whether he votes or not, so I would think he would want to have a say in who those people will be.
Greim says his reasons for his position are clear. I deal with student concerns every day for almost 30 hours a week and have done my homework on the issues mentioned. So, Russell, get back on your drum and let's dance.
"They have a bad habit and unless it is addressed the body will never be effective." A bad habit to me is picking your nose, scratching below the belt and those types of things. Greim is referring to research.
"They simply pass legislation." He is right, we do. Why? Because SGA is an activist group for students. When legislation is passed it doesn't immediately take effect. It must be presented to respected individuals within the university as a proposal. The main purpose of legislation is to make a statement that the issue is a concern to students.
Greim mentioned the "feel-good" legislation to increase student wages. It takes the moon and stars to align in order to increase the student wage. This has been an issue for the entire term and our job was to keep it in the eyes of the administration. Two proposals have been discussed by senior administration, including ideas proposed by SGA. To update you, the moon and stars are coming together and there is a strong possibility the campus may see something in the fall. How does that make you feel?
And when it comes to research on this issue, I have been "asking questions." I have a filing cabinet full of information from all across the country, as well as the pros and cons of different ideas from different perspectives. I can talk to you about this for well over seven hours if you would like to know everything I have researched.
The stadium parking lots are like driving on the moon. Students frequently get flat tires, bottoms scraped (you know what I mean), and suspensions busted. To me this is a problem that should be addressed, and who better to address it than the student activist group on campus, SGA? Research has been done - students have been contacted, we have found a source for funds, and discussions with administrators have taken place. To prove Greim wrong, not "25 minutes of research" but merely five minutes of research ensured that parking spots can be gained.
Greim ends by discussing the residence hall visitor pass legislation that passed last week. He said, "Passes are already available to parents, and visitors and a pass that is available from vehicle to vehicle will never work." Russell, is the glass half empty or half full? First, there is nothing available after hours or on the weekends for visitors. Second, from the research the senators and I have done, I think our proposal can and will work.
No one is going to force you to vote in the SGA election, and I hope my ugly mug in the paper didn't deter you. Whether you vote or not, someone will be representing you, so you might as well have your say in ensuring proper research is done.
Write to Tommy at tbrector@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
