2008 Woodie Awards
United Bank of Guilford Community Senate
Guilford senate abused as open wallet?
Amanda Pressley
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: Forum
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According to a vague statement on the Guilford College Web site, our Community Senate's duty is "representing student opinions in a decision and policy-making process dedicated to the welfare of the community."
Sounds noble.
Sounds influential.
Sounds completely alien to Guilford.
As a student, the only Senate I hear of is the metaphorical wallet that funds everything from work trips, to individual projects or on-campus events.
Going on what Senate should be seen as - a decisive, powerful force on our campus - shouldn't involvement in student government be more complex than seeking funds for Senate and campus organizations?
Absolutely.
Is it?
No.
Students who are not directly involved as either executive officers or representatives rarely step foot inside Senate meetings unless, of course, money is on the line.
The March 14 Senate meeting involved four bulleted points on the agenda. Three were solely based on student acquisition of funds.
Yes, Senate has $26,000 to last the semester and is encouraging "good, not silly" proposals, but handing out cash is not their sole purpose.
"There have been a few students to bring issues asking Senate to support their efforts, but mostly I feel that students just campaign for what they want and don't even think twice about gaining Senate support," said senior and Inter-Club Council weekly chair, Aleks Babic.
Obviously, students do not realize the influence that Senate has on the community.
"About half of what we do is clubs' requests for money. The other half is faculty and staff talk to us about any policy that is getting changed and see what we have to say," said Senate president Wes Corning.
Unbeknownst to most, Senate also does the unglamorous behind-the-scenes work on a large number of campus activities and other simple tasks like providing chalk for clubs' sidewalk advertisements.
"We are busy," said Corning. "Particularly, executives are constantly interacting with as many people as possible, getting wheels moving," he said.
Sounds noble.
Sounds influential.
Sounds completely alien to Guilford.
As a student, the only Senate I hear of is the metaphorical wallet that funds everything from work trips, to individual projects or on-campus events.
Going on what Senate should be seen as - a decisive, powerful force on our campus - shouldn't involvement in student government be more complex than seeking funds for Senate and campus organizations?
Absolutely.
Is it?
No.
Students who are not directly involved as either executive officers or representatives rarely step foot inside Senate meetings unless, of course, money is on the line.
The March 14 Senate meeting involved four bulleted points on the agenda. Three were solely based on student acquisition of funds.
Yes, Senate has $26,000 to last the semester and is encouraging "good, not silly" proposals, but handing out cash is not their sole purpose.
"There have been a few students to bring issues asking Senate to support their efforts, but mostly I feel that students just campaign for what they want and don't even think twice about gaining Senate support," said senior and Inter-Club Council weekly chair, Aleks Babic.
Obviously, students do not realize the influence that Senate has on the community.
"About half of what we do is clubs' requests for money. The other half is faculty and staff talk to us about any policy that is getting changed and see what we have to say," said Senate president Wes Corning.
Unbeknownst to most, Senate also does the unglamorous behind-the-scenes work on a large number of campus activities and other simple tasks like providing chalk for clubs' sidewalk advertisements.
"We are busy," said Corning. "Particularly, executives are constantly interacting with as many people as possible, getting wheels moving," he said.
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