February 17, 2006
Windbreakers and hypocrisy
USG receives approximately $200,000 from the Student Activities Fee. Most of that money goes to funding student organizations. However, an amazing $40,000 goes towards our own internal budget. There is no reason the USG budget should be so inflated compared to other groups. We don't put on massive cultural dinners for students or other fun activities. We are mainly a policy based group. Why is the budget so large and where does most of that money go? Here is a good example.
The USG Finance Committee has for at least three semesters now, not funded any t-shirts or other apparel for the student organizations. However, in the USG internal budget, we have allocated money for shirts and other apparel for ourselves. Last semester we subsidized the purchase of USG long-sleeve t-shirts. Now we want to subsidize the cost of buying windbreakers for USG members.
I know everyone likes t-shirts and windbreakers, but isn't it being hypocritical? USG doesn't need special windbreakers to best represent the needs of the students.
An introduction
This is now my second year in USG. It has become such a large part of my life here at Case that I think about it probably more than I should. It has always been an interesting experience for me. From committee meetings to General Assembly to the Executive Board, it's always provided me with something to think about or act upon.
I've also heard, for over a year now, the general student opinion of USG. Most students don't believe we play an important role on campus. Some days I agree with them and wonder why USG even exists, but then other times I'm proud of USG and what we do. I can definitely see why students are skeptical of USG.
However, now that I'm the Treasurer, a title that is more glamorous than the actual job, I have even more insight into the successes and failures of USG. This year has been especially interesting and enlightening. And I've begun to ask myself if I can do more to bring this insight to other, so I've decided to use this blog to write them down.
Whether or not others want to read this or I'm just doing it for my own purposes, isn't really important. I simply feel I have a unique perspective on USG and that's worth at least something.
I'm not starting this blog as a gossip journal or even my own personal soapbox. I want it to inform, to criticize when necessary, and to praise when deserved. But in the end, it's just the thoughts of one person from inside the student government.
Full disclosure: there's no question that I'm extremely dedicated to USG. It is what I do and, for better or worse, I enjoy it. But I feel that I need to put down in writing what goes on, regardless of how it looks. Government is never a pretty thing, but that's especially true at the college level.
I think all of us in USG are there for the same reason: to act as the representatives of the student body to the administration. Whether we are effective to those ends is a good question. I think most of us have the best intentions. Members of USG, from the Executive Board to the representatives, contribute a lot of their time and efforts on behalf of students. There is no question most do want to make a difference. However, through the process, a lot is lost in the petty infighting and the bureaucracy. While I think we are making efforts to improve USG, it's a long process and a long way from being done. I just hope this blog will bring some insight into what is being done and needs to be done.
I know a lot of students don't really care what USG does, or if it even exists. That's really unfortunate, because ultimately no matter how effective we believe our governments are, they have the potential to be one of our most effective tools to benefit the community. I just hope a little frank and honest discussion of the inner-workings of USG will help bring about more interest from the students and the members of USG themselves.
So, where to begin...
- David Gasser