There is only one question left to ask the top officials in Student Senate: Are you student leaders, or are you puppets?
It's getting hard to tell the difference.
Wednesday, senators voted down a second resolution that would have allowed students to evaluate the Board of Trustees on the Student Senate ballot this May. The modified ballot initiative would have asked students to analyze a series of statements, using a scale of 1 to 5 to represent levels of agreement or disagreement.
The resolution actually garnered a majority of the votes - 17-12 - but it did not receive the two-thirds majority it needed.
The discussion, which mainly consisted of university yes-men defending the administration from any possible embarrassment, was embarrassing enough in itself. Worse, nine senators didn't even vote - four abstained and five left the meeting early.
Chauncey Jackson, student trustee and commissioner for student activities, questioned the value of student input, arguing that it wasn't technically in the trustees' job description to listen to students.
Student Senate President Michael Adeyanju even criticized the sponsors of the resolution for bringing up what he felt was an open-and-shut case.
So again: Leaders or marionettes?
Student leaders do not blindly defend top-level university administrators over the dissent of their peers. Instead, Student leaders give their constituents every possible chance to voice their thoughts. Yes, we owe our administrators respect. But we do not owe them unflinching loyalty and unquestioning acceptance.
Student leaders do not insult the intelligence of the people who elected them. Instead of decrying the so-called ignorance of the student body, student leaders reflect on their own shortcomings, collect as many informed opinions as they can, and do everything in their power to educate both themselves and others.
Student leaders do not try to suppress views with which they disagree. Instead, they hold the megaphone. Student Senate is proud of our school spirit? Then let's hear it. What could be more spirited than students trying to make their university better?
Student leaders do not sit back and allow anyone simply to pull their strings. But far too many members of our Student Senate do. So dance, puppets. Dance. But do not expect us to applaud your performance.
And do not be surprised if the student body tires of the show.
Editorials represent the views of The Post's executive editors.
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Student Senate once again rejects resolution increasing student voice
