2008 Woodie Awards
SWEENEY'S SIDE: SGA can't function without student involvement
Less than 10 people show up to organization's town hall meeting
John Sweeney
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Voices & Times
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My vocal cords are sore from yelling.
They're strained because, once again, I'm compelled to address an issue I've discussed once before.
Today, I mount my soap box, as I have many times before, to scold you.
That's right, scold you. Not all of you deserve this reprimand, but for those of you who do - listen up!
You might have read my column with the headline "Don't settle for silence" in the Feb. 4 issue. In that column, I urged the student body to take an active role in the planning, participation and discussion of campus activities and issues. I saw it as a reminder to everyone that your university is only as good as you allow it to be.
The article coincided with a piece I wrote for the Jan. 22 issue about the first-ever Student Government Association (SGA) town hall meeting.
In that article, I reported that despite the low turnout of students, SGA heard concerns from those in attendance.
But people, let's be serious. There were less than 20 students at that Jan. 17 meeting - that's right, less than 20.
About 3,400 students are enrolled at FMU.
That means less than 2 percent of the university attended that meeting.
While that might be a decent turnout for a Vanilla Ice revival tour, you should find that statistic embarrassing.
Also in my Feb.4 column, I said the ball was in SGA's court.
I said they had to deliver on the concerns brought to them by students. I also said that if answers were not given at the next meeting, the legitimacy of SGA would have to be called into question.
Yet, at the next town hall meeting on Feb. 21, SGA made a slam dunk.
They exemplified organization and professionalism in the best way. Each committee gave detailed reports about the issues, how they were addressed and who they talked to about students' concerns.
There even were staff members there to answer questions and address issues.
All of that was great, even if there were less than 10 students in attendance.
Still, SGA President Robbie Robinson thanked those who came to the meeting in spite of the cold weather.
Perhaps this was Robinson's attempt to cover the butts of the students who didn't come, but I don't buy it.
Sure, it was a little rainy and cold that day, but suck it up.
If you have something to say or want to see some changes on campus, you have a platform from which to speak.
You have opportunities to have your voice heard.
Don't sit in your room and complain about how the school has nothing to do or how you can't do anything about it. You have your chances to make a difference, now either take them or shut up.
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