Last Thursday, Senator Webb wrote a letter to the editor, expressing that he believes students should not be critical of Student Senate. First of all, I apologize that you feel the students you are supposed to represent are hippies and tree-huggers. I am also sorry, and this one I mean sincerely, that you choose to be condescending toward the student body. The students at Ohio University, just like all people, do not deserve that. We do not need to be looked down upon because we don't dress business casual to class, just as you don't need to be looked down upon because you may. Secondly, we should be critical of Student Senate, just as we should be critical of President Obama and the Supreme Court. If we are not critical, our leaders would be left unchecked, which I, along with other people who believe in democracy, would consider unacceptable. When it comes to creating change on our university, I find it appalling that a senate member would rhetorically ask, what can you really do about it? What we can do about it is ask questions, demand transparency, and create democracy.
In the same issue, Mr. Adeyanju wrote a letter claiming he has done his job and performed his duty as senate president well. I don't believe he has upheld his campaign promises, nor has he upheld the basic duties of a senate president. By advocating for a tuition freeze, I assume he means passing the resolution in support of the freeze, which arguably had no effect at all. However, he also made it clear he feels there is no need for student input on the matter. Weird, that doesn't sound like being supportive of a tuition freeze. As for that Web site, the one from the student page, does not even have complete contact information for senators, let alone other important information. The senate blog you ask? Last updated May 23, 2008. The RA compensation that was passed early in the year was meager at best. Has there been great programming on our campus through senate, like Take Back the Night and Greeks Going Green? Yes there has been. However, that does not mean Mr. Adeyanju should be able to use those initiatives to rationalize his opposition to student voice. Oh, and one more thing: how can you imply Student Speakout is a way for students to give input, when you, as well as many others on senate, choose to ignore the students who show up? A slight disconnect between students and Student Senate? That seems like a wild understatement. I am glad you appreciate and value the opportunity to work with students
but that seems to have come about, oh, two quarters too late? You have about five weeks left, so show us you can speak for the students. Show us you don't need to please the administration. Show us you are here, serving as president, for the right reasons. I will believe it when I see it.
The letters that were written by current senators achieved nothing more than confirming my belief that senate is out of touch with students. Senate fails to listen to those who they represent. Perhaps it is time that you, Student Senate, put aside your differences and work with us rather than against us to better this great institution we call ours.
Thanks for the advice, Mr. Webb. I hope to see you practice what you preach in the future.
Molly Shea is a junior studying environmental geography, a student senator and a candidate for Student Senate president.
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Opinion
Letter to the Editor
