There are many choices that come up each day. What we should do, when we should do it, why we should do it, and so on.
The Atlantic Baptist University Student Association has many choices with what to do with the funds that have been given to us. So, regarding the topic, I thought I should make public what I want to see done in the school.
1. I want less money to be spent on events that have been serving primarily only one demographic. I want to see some money put into spaces instead. I want to see specific spaces be turned into better areas for students to study, hang out, or just relax. That being said, I want the money that is spent on events to be used as wisely as possible, so that we can hold the best events possible.
2. I want to find ways to reach demographics that have barely been reached before. This is one of my primary concerns. Although all full time students pay a student association fee, many do not take advantage of the opportunities that we have for them, and this is (at least) partially our fault. We need to take strides in finding ways to help people out who we have not helped before.
3. Student Council must have a much stronger presence in the school than we presently have. Each and every person should know who they can go see if they have an issue. People should know who we are.
4. Finally, I want to ensure that all student concerns are heard. I think it is tremendously important that, as representatives, we find how to truly represent the people. I believe that every person's voice is worth hearing, and I want to ensure that each person's voice is heard.
I am sure things will be added to this as the campaign goes in, because I am constantly seeing things that we do well, and things we can improve on. So I will probably update, but these are the top four things that I feel passionately about.
OK... since I'm faculty and don't vote, let's pretend I'm an external public, like the media, and let me ask a few questions. In terms of your four plank platform, HOW will you accomplish these goals? You want funds diverted to space improvement projects - like what? Aside from window dressing, is it even possible to make significant changes to a space at ABU? What demographics are not presently being served by ABUSA? Why is this? What will be done differently in your administration? How do you propose to improve ABUSA's "presence?"
ReplyDeleteYour platform sounds good at surface value, but it's short on specifics - specifics that your electorate should understand before they elect you president.
So any more thoughts on the whole "ABUSA" thing - not a major platform issue I'm sure but definitely one that needs some thought in my estimation unless you are going to always write out ABU Student Association.
ReplyDeleteFrom your list I like the focus of #3 and #4 - students need a strong advocate in their student organization - both internally (advocating to the University on their behalf in relation to fund-allocation, courses, student proponent in some cases of minor "disputes" with the university/professor, etc.)and externally as a representative spokesperson and exponent of the particular benefits of ABU to the wider community and university world. This I think would move ABU Student Association toward being a more representative body and away from being primarily a high-school or college type events-centered organization. This would perhaps be the way to begin solving your #1 and #2, when the students begin to see that they ALL have a voice through their fully representative (incorporated?) student government - not just the "on-campus" or even the "churched" students (if those are the demographics you now are covering to a certain extent. Good show Amy! Hope all goes well in these two weeks running up to the election - how about some online streaming of the election platform debates on Thursday so those of us who can't be onsite can get the jist!?!!!