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Some advice for next year's Student Government I should stick to newspapers, and BSG should stick to running their operation. We’ve had our well-documented battles and differences of opinion over how things should be done on both The Stylus end and the BSG end. I’ve learned one thing through our love-hate, but mainly hate-hate, relationship — how to co-exist. Since it’s the end of the year, and I technically never have to write another column ever, I figured I would comment — with proper reasoning — on many of the things that BSG has done this year that could certainly make “next year better.” First, I understand themes and making flashy advertisements that will catch students’ attention. However, if I wanted to drop acid, I would go to Rochester and get some — I don’t need the Brock the Port posters to do that for me. Although the posters have improved throughout the year, it seems as if they are consistently cluttered and way too busy to pay attention to any one item, like the date of the event, for example. Props to the promotions department for their dedicated work with the posters and other signage, though perhaps less is more for some of your designs. I would suggest that future board members and executives of BSG learn more about the role of the media. It’s fairly evident that we have clashed many times this year — ranging from requests to not run public, pertinent information to raising voices and even to telling me to leave the office. It has been said that, “News is something someone wants suppressed. Everything else is just advertising.” There is no better way to say it. The Stylus does not exist solely to promote the good things you are doing on campus, but the things that aren’t going entirely as planned as well. We serve as a critical voice in interviews and as the congratulatory voice in reviews. We can serve both roles, and as leaders of our student body, you should accept that we will be playing both parts. If you don’t want to see it in print, don’t do it. The students are the utmost authoritative figure in BSG. The student government is nothing without the student voice. If they aren’t walking up to you and telling you what they want and need to succeed socially and academically on campus, you need to go to them. I’m not saying drag them to a voting booth, but take each suggestion and complaint to heart. Consider each option and making harsh, abrupt opinions because you think what the students want is not a good idea. Make sure it’s what the students want, then go ahead and act on it. There’s not exactly a check and balance in BSG, but just remember that you answer to us, as the student body is the force behind every move you make as an associate of BSG. Offer no more excuses or reasons as to why something can’t happen; plan around it and make the most out of what you have. On top of everything else, get more people involved. It’s an amazing opportunity, though sometimes it seems like just another clique that you have to fit into. Prove to the students that anyone can get involved, and that the office is not an intimidating place if you don’t belong in the same social scene. I don’t care what the reasons are behind it, the voting turnout this year was ridiculous. Despite who was running or who was not, just general “get out and vote” messages would have been better than what we had. Hanging up a sign and saying, “You can vote at this time” is not effective. Telling students why they should vote and what their vote is going to have an effect on will help. Don’t count on students to take an interest in something they don’t think will matter. I don’t criticize for fun, I attempt to hold people accountable through scrutiny and asking the tough questions. If you don’t like me for it, take a number — there’s been a line since last fall. But for now, go ahead and have fun at Brock the Port, putting the BSG calamities behind you. But don’t have too much fun, I’ll be watching. |
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