Although the negative rhetoric continues and some appeals are still outstanding — the Student Government elections are finally over. Perhaps now the campus can return to some sense of normality. Hopefully the candidates will quickly remove their campaign material from the University’s grounds. With all those sandwich boards and signs, I feel like someone is preparing for a “going out of business” sale.

Those following the elections through the pages of the Technician understand the growing divide between Student Government and the paper. Student Government, with all its infinite wisdom, doesn’t really grasp why the media have been highly critical of its actions.

Even with the election of new officers, Student Government has a long road ahead of it. It must move toward establishing a renewed sense of credibility in order to win back the trust of the student body and administration.

Although it may not seem like I am a huge fan of Student Government, I really do care about the future of student advocacy on campus. But there is a proper role for student advocacy and governance on a university campus, and N.C. State is no exception.

So, it is time to bring the two warring sides together: Student Government and the administration. It is like bringing the Palestinians and Israelis to the negotiating table — hopefully with better results.

And who better to mediate this series of “high level negotiations” than me. I’ll act as a “special envoy,” similar to when Jesse Jackson involves himself in an international crisis.

I will act as an arbitrator, referee, umpire between the two factions. Representing Student Government: Student Body President-elect Bobby Mills and Student Senate President-elect T. Greg Doucette; and the administration’s negotiators: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Tom Stafford and Associate Vice Chancellor Evelyn Reiman.

Our agenda is simple, but I am sure it will cause some angst. The first order of business is to discuss and determine the role, function and organization of the Student Senate.

The Student Senate is the primary vehicle to ensure that the student body is properly represented on University Standing and Administrative Advisory committees. These groups are the primary outlets for student input and interaction within the University’s governance system.

Currently, the student body is inadequately represented on these boards even though its decisions could dramatically affect our academic and social lives.

Both the Faculty and Staff Senates are geared in this manner, and it is now time for the Student Senate to move to an advocacy paradigm. This model is quite different from the current Student Government structure, which looks more like a federal system with three branches of government. We don’t need three branches of “government” when there is no power to govern.

The second order of business for our blue-ribbon panel of experts is the “Regulation for Undergraduate Student Leadership.” Current University regulations that govern students’ participation, not only in Student Government, but in all student organizations, are discriminatory and need adjustment.

The rules are biased against nontraditional students and in my opinion, violate federal higher education privacy laws. The goal of any student governance structure should be inclusion, not exclusion. The last issue our group will tackle is the Student Government fee. Currently the fee hovers around $9 per student. About a third of that money is doled out to student organizations in the form of “appropriations.” It is important that this money remain intact, but the Student Senate needs to fund a more diverse group of student organizations that have a greater, direct impact on campus.

The remaining portion of the bloated fee currently funds a few programming activities and the “operations” of Student Government: paper, pizza, pencils and personnel. A fee reduction will force Student Government to implement operational efficiencies. Think of it like a “penalty” for Student Government’s past incompetence.

The time is now for positive change in the structure and functions of Student Government. I am confident that consensus can be reached on both sides — I know the administration is always open for improvement.

I just hope Student Government comes to the table with open arms. Unfortunately, it is in the position of weakness and it must be prepared to acquiesce on some things.

If not well, we can expect another year of Student Government debauchery and continued criticism by the media, administration and most importantly, the student body.

E-mail Andrew your issues with Student Government and how to fix them at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.