One may truly be the loneliest number that we ever did see. It's the total number of applications submitted to Student Senate for the six available spots on its student trustee selection committee. In the interest of full disclosure, and because it exemplifies students' indifference, we should note that entry was from Post Editor in Chief Ashley Lutz.
Watching an important position like this be met with a collective eh from the student body is disappointing. Students should recognize how influential these positions are, as the committee is pivotal in deciding who represents their concerns to an out-of-touch Board of Trustees. We're disappointed to know that asking students on College Green what they think about this committee would almost certainly be met with blank stares.
OU deserves student representatives to the Board of Trustees who try to fix key problems, like finally securing voting rights for future student trustees. Membership on this committee is a chance to pick much better trustees than our current crop - Chauncey Jackson and Kyle Triplett.
But the student body cannot be blamed entirely for the lack of interest. We think this total apathy is due, at least in part, to the lack of communication between Student Senate and the constituents they serve, the students.
If Student Senate wants interest, it has to step up and make people aware. The monthly e-mails from Senate President Robert Leary are merely skimmed, if read at all, and forgotten about soon after that. A major topic like finding the next student trustee deserves more attention.
Perhaps Student Senate should post more signs across campus promoting the search. Or even have one of the more than 50 Senate members actively campaign to raise awareness for it. We'd hate to see this opportunity go to waste.
So, student body, if you are sick of the endlessly increasing tuition and continual mismanagement of this fine university, this may be your opportunity. The deadline is now extended beyond the original due date of Oct. 9 to this Friday.
4 Opinion
Rampant apathy leaves search committee looking for students
