The Red and Black

The present Student Government Association has been unable to adequately and effectively represent the interest of students at the University. Its lack of achievement and recognition are well known.

This can be established by asking two simple questions: 1. Do you know the SGA senators for your college? 2. What has SGA done for you during your time at the University of Georgia?

The answers I have received from numerous University students and the answers that I am confident you will give are "No, I do not know who my Senators are," and "SGA has done nothing for me."

After consistently hearing these comments, it has become clear to me that something must be done

The resolution I propose is outlined below.

As we all realize, the SGA was never intended to serve as either the lead legislative or the decision making body of the University.

Indeed, these roles are designated for the faculty and administration. Rather, SGA's primary function is to act as the voice of the students in matters which pertain to the students.

In essence, the intended function of SGA has been to serve as a lobbying group for all University students.

Unfortunately the SGA constitution stands as a hindrance to SGA's ability to fulfill this function. Properly constituted as a lobbying group, SGA would be an extremely important body capable of representing students and influencing the decisions made by the University.

What I am proposing is a new student lobbying group which will take the place of the existing SGA. It will act as a forum to align all existing student organizations and will focus on insuring that the voices of the students are heard.

There are numerous student organizations that, today, are hindered due to their small size.

By uniting these groups in a common cause, students can achieve representation and recognition which is rightly theirs. As the primary funding population of the University, the students should be empowered and have a better understanding of and impact on University policy.

Their participation in this alliance will not affect the structure of any present organization. Instead, it will offer a forum where these organizations can come together and contribute to the betterment of the University community.

So what is it that prevents us as University students from achieving this objective?

Quite frankly, it is our unwillingness to accept the challenge and to carry out our responsibility as members of the University community.

Without a vehicle that represents the voice of the University student population, the faculty can not fully satisfy its responsibility to provide an environment that is compatible and suitable for the education of the students.

To quote from University President Michael Adams, "Everything that we do should be aimed at improving the ultimate experience for each student."

This is a wonderful statement but Adams must understand that the student is his most valuable tool.

Only through a student government will President Adams be able to utilize this tool.

It is a sad fact that presently, our potential influence is wasted due to the lack of an organized, effective student government.

Therefore, as indicated earlier, I am proposing a restructuring of the constitution of the SGA that will provide a vehicle for harnessing the energies, the opinions, the concerns, the hopes and the aspirations of all students at the University.

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