To the editor:
The headlines screamed out our victory to the world:
"95 percent vote YES!"
"Student Government Upheaval" or at least they did in my head. The slight lack of enthusiasm, both from senators and from the rest of the student body, is completely justified, because nothing has been acted upon yet. But now that the hot new constitution in being instituted, changes are happening - fast. And everyone should be getting involved.
First and foremost, VOTE. Elections close tomorrow at midnight, and the entire student body must choose which of the 17 candidates are elected. Sunday night they start working for their newly paid positions, at the Senate meeting in Wilder 112 at 7:00, an open meeting (as always).
Next semester 5 more senators will be quickly elected (from what is sure to be a large field) to fill out the new senate at 15. Then the real representation starts. Immediately the Student Advisory Councils will be formed, consisting of between 7-15 students each (and NO administrators or faculty, except by invitation from the students on the Councils). The Advisory Council foci will be determined in the first full senate meeting, and anyone can be there to help decide. For example, likely Advisory Councils may be "Housing and Dining Options," "Embracing Diversity," "Working with the Oberlin Community," and "Student Athletics at Oberlin." Every student may join one of the 8-10 advisory councils, which will each have a particular focus. Simply by contacting Senate in September students may be put on these Advisory Councils, although interviews may be required for the most popular ones.
Student members of faculty committees** will be required to sit on the appropriate Advisory Council, so that at each meeting they can garner input to take directly to the faculty committees on specific issues. Each Council will also be drafting pro-active proposals to take to Student Senate and faculty committees.
So next semester the student body monster awakens with true pro-active power and a Student Senate reinforced with consistent direct interaction with students, both through the Advisory Councils and also through Senator office hours and weekly publications. But we have to start right now; if you haven't had a chance to vote go to the mailroom, review the candidate statements and endorsements, and fill out a ballot; or type VOTE at the $ prompt in ALPHA.
I am excited about next year's student government. Yes, it is partly because I am an OUTGOING (haha) senator, but mostly because we now have an encompassing and intense new form of student government, starting with your vote!
** Appointments for next year's faculty committees are going on NOW. Today from 4:30 to 6:30 and Sunday from 4 to 6 information and interviews will be available in Wilder TBA. Come prepare to take part in the future of Oberlin!
Copyright © 1997, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 24, May 9, 1997
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