The office of the Student Body President will soon be open. Prospective candidates have filed their applications and await the results of their background checks. Shortly, students will be weaving in and out of campaign signs on their way to class and flaunting shirts with catchy “vote for” slogans. But before that time, we’d like to offer some advice to the candidates. Incorporate these ideas into your platforms, and you’ll certainly be a memorable SBP (and you won’t even have to be party to a wheelchair accident).
Be honest and transparent
This seems like a no-brainer, or so we thought. In a Jan. 7 editorial addressed to Chancellor Randy Woodson, Technician laid out expectations for University administrators. We asked the administration to be “boldly transparent” about its weaknesses, to tell students, “Here are the areas where we’re lacking…”
Unfortunately, that message did not seem to resonate with the Chancellor or much of the administration. As leaders, we must all take pride in our university, and sometimes that means recognizing our shortcomings.
As a voice of the student body and a liaison between students and administrators, you’ll have the opportunity to to explicate and vocalize the goings-on in the administration in a way that no one else can.
That kind of information will foster discussion between students and administration about ways we can improve the University. Be more than just a butt in a seat at meetings with administrators.
Quit playing footsie with ASG
We appreciate a good flirt, but our on-and-off involvement with the UNC Association of Student Governments is getting old. Currently, students pay $1 per semester via student fee to keep ASG alive. The association’s website is down, and its Facebook is seldom updated. ASG had potential to be a powerful student voice in the monthly Board of Governor’s meetings, but its organizing body is … disorganized. An earlier news report titled “Student leaders’ opinions differ over the role of ASG” by Amanda Wilkins explains some of the organization’s inadequacies.
ASG is broken. It’s no longer the symbol of student solidarity and strength — if anything, it’s a representation of laziness and disorder. Students are better off keeping the $1 instead of paying the ASG fee — buying a pack of gum would give them a better return on their investment.
Philanthropic efforts
There are many ways the head of the student body can give back. Remember that $1 ASG fee? Well, why not reallocate it to a more worthy fund. Student government could establish a number of small scholarships — or even one or two larger awards.
Additionally, you’ll be in a unique position of authority as SBP. You’ll be someone who can lead students as well as connect with them on a level Chancellor Woodson can’t. If you make an effort to be a recognizable face on campus then students will pay attention to your efforts well after they cast their votes. Use your unique role to unify students and apply their talents in a way that benefits N.C. State and Raleigh.
