In the last two years the most spirited debate during Black Student Association meetings has been the issue of leadership and its relationship to the grade point average.
I had at least a half-dozen people approach me separately to voice their concerns that BSA was going in a direction in which they didn't agree.
Another half-dozen approved of the body members taking control of their organization. This was in regard to suspending the grade point average for this year's elections.
Does GPA reflect leadership ability? I'd have to say yes. That should not and is not, however, the only barometer by which a leader is measured. You also have to be responsible, be able to work with people and be able to communicate, among other things.
If GPA is your only or main gauge, you may have a problem. By the same token, if that is your particular thought process, voice your opinion by voting for the person you believe is the better leader, which for you wouldn't be the holder of the lower average.
We all know what your first responsibility is supposed to be as a student.
That is all well and good, but as a student leader you have an added responsibility slightly akin to that of a student-athlete (minus the university funding residence-hall renovation off of your sweat and making large-scale trips across oceans in your honor, of course).
As a student-leader there will be times when you have to rearrange your study plan to meet with people. You may have to be excused from class because the only time you could meet with a community leader was 15 minutes earlier than when class ended. You deal with it.
That higher GPA comes in handy just in case. Right? Or is that higher GPA proof you can deal with the inevitable rigors of multi-tasking?
What type of image/standard are we setting by messing with the requirements every year? How dare people decided they want to question the rules their organization runs by?
To the people who raised the issue I say thank you, and the same to those who raised it in Student Government Association as well. Discussion and participation are good things, especially in our government.
In my opinion, the issues of GPA and leadership are more related to image and what other people will think than more important issues such as enlarging the drawing pool of potentially good leaders and/or seeing your organization yourself and judging on your terms, not someone else's.
I was against raising the GPA last year, and I was for suspending it this year. It doesn't mean my opinion is right, but I do get to say I told you so. I told you, well some of you, this issue is intrinsically linked to the way we run as a student group.
It is possible, although unlikely, this issue will come up year after year. Whether or not there always is the same result is up to the students. Whichever way they vote is the correct direction to go. Take control of your organization.
Just be aware that if you disregard GPA, you may hurt your group. While not the only measure of a leader, the dedication to studies, and thus GPA, does have its merits.
Write to Aric at ariclewis@hotmail.com
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
