2008 Woodie Awards
Council regrets conduct
Muhlenberg College Student Council
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Op/Ed
It is now common knowledge that the Student Council conducted, what has been for the group a time of reflection and gratitude, a cermony called, "Pass the Gavel," at the conclusion of its formal meeting on the evening of Mar. 27, 2008. The members of Council felt that such a ceremony is appropriate in acknowledging the work of its members throughout the previous year. What has become increasingly clear to members of Student Council since that date is that we have much more to do if we are to serve the student body of Muhlenberg College more accurately and effectively.
We acknowledge now that there were some poor decisions made that evening as we struggled with the emotions of seeing old friends depart. We reflected on times both good and bad, and "mended fences" that were broken during the spirited debates in our meetings. We were surprised and unprepared for the reaction of both the administration and the students to our actions; we find that we have new fences to mend with our constituents as well as with our partners in governance, the administration and the Board of Trustees.
Some feel that we are being given special treatment because we are Student Council. In fact, we have been held to an even higher standard of accountability. Under the governing documents of the College's Board of Trustees, College administration may establish regulations by which the Student Council will operate as the College sees fit. The College's choice to pursue this line of action (as supported by the Trustee's Campus Life Committee) provided a significant "wake up call" to Student Council. We are uncomfortable with the regulations and embarrassed to find ourselves in this situation. Some of us still don't understand how we got here.
Nonetheless, we need to move on.
We need to be doing a better job of staying in touch with our constituents. One of the regulations the Council is currently working on is the establishment of a committee to review the structure and operation of the organization. That committee will include faculty and administration, as well as students from outside of Council. We hope to either prove that our current structure is effective or adopt changes to the structure that will increase effectiveness.
We acknowledge now that there were some poor decisions made that evening as we struggled with the emotions of seeing old friends depart. We reflected on times both good and bad, and "mended fences" that were broken during the spirited debates in our meetings. We were surprised and unprepared for the reaction of both the administration and the students to our actions; we find that we have new fences to mend with our constituents as well as with our partners in governance, the administration and the Board of Trustees.
Some feel that we are being given special treatment because we are Student Council. In fact, we have been held to an even higher standard of accountability. Under the governing documents of the College's Board of Trustees, College administration may establish regulations by which the Student Council will operate as the College sees fit. The College's choice to pursue this line of action (as supported by the Trustee's Campus Life Committee) provided a significant "wake up call" to Student Council. We are uncomfortable with the regulations and embarrassed to find ourselves in this situation. Some of us still don't understand how we got here.
Nonetheless, we need to move on.
We need to be doing a better job of staying in touch with our constituents. One of the regulations the Council is currently working on is the establishment of a committee to review the structure and operation of the organization. That committee will include faculty and administration, as well as students from outside of Council. We hope to either prove that our current structure is effective or adopt changes to the structure that will increase effectiveness.