2008 Woodie Awards
SGA Column
Thoughts from the Corner Office
Erin Ahern
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Campus Life
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This year has certainly been met with many student concerns regarding various issues on campus, one of which is the open container policy. Although some may feel that there has been an excess of student concerns compared to past years, I believe that, if this is true, it is a healthy and acceptable change. To me, it just shows that students are passionate and want to make the best of their time spent at Assumption.
I use the example of the open container policy because it has recently become one of the more commonly discussed issues. It is hard to spend a day on campus without coming into contact with at least one student who is upset or disagrees with one issue or another. These issues do not simply have to do with alcohol policies or problems with residential life (although these tend to be popular topics), but instead issues regarding every aspect of campus life.
It is great to know that students feel strongly enough about certain topics to bring it up in conversation with their peers. The one thing that bothers me, though, is that the conversation typically stops there. If you do not like the way something is done, speak up. Do something about it. We all pay over $30,000 a year to attend Assumption and it would not be worth our money if we did not take the initiative to make our four years here the best they can be.
I am not encouraging students to revolt or cause riots, but only to speak up and let someone know if they have a concern. You have probably heard this time and time again, but one of the best ways to do this is through SGA.
SGA is a great tool for students; yet it is often underutilized. The members of the organization are all aware of who the proper person is to turn to to ask questions and get answers. More importantly, we do not stop until we get the answers.
At every Sunday night senate meeting, we have a period set for open discussion. This is a time in which students can raise any concern they may have, obtain feedback from other students, and determine what steps, if any, should be taken next. We always encourage visitors, and it was great to see so many at our last meeting. You should let us know if there is a particular issue you would like to raise, and we will be more than happy to include you in our meeting.
I use the example of the open container policy because it has recently become one of the more commonly discussed issues. It is hard to spend a day on campus without coming into contact with at least one student who is upset or disagrees with one issue or another. These issues do not simply have to do with alcohol policies or problems with residential life (although these tend to be popular topics), but instead issues regarding every aspect of campus life.
It is great to know that students feel strongly enough about certain topics to bring it up in conversation with their peers. The one thing that bothers me, though, is that the conversation typically stops there. If you do not like the way something is done, speak up. Do something about it. We all pay over $30,000 a year to attend Assumption and it would not be worth our money if we did not take the initiative to make our four years here the best they can be.
I am not encouraging students to revolt or cause riots, but only to speak up and let someone know if they have a concern. You have probably heard this time and time again, but one of the best ways to do this is through SGA.
SGA is a great tool for students; yet it is often underutilized. The members of the organization are all aware of who the proper person is to turn to to ask questions and get answers. More importantly, we do not stop until we get the answers.
At every Sunday night senate meeting, we have a period set for open discussion. This is a time in which students can raise any concern they may have, obtain feedback from other students, and determine what steps, if any, should be taken next. We always encourage visitors, and it was great to see so many at our last meeting. You should let us know if there is a particular issue you would like to raise, and we will be more than happy to include you in our meeting.