As one of the few students who votes in the Student Government Association elections at IU Southeast, I was a little shocked to learn the SGA thought spending their excess budget money on T-shirts or jackets for current members might be a good idea.

We are all aware of the state of the economy, and the SGA is not immune from wasteful spending. Clothing for SGA members is unnecessary.

If you want students to be aware of the fact that you are a member of the SGA, make yourself more visible on campus. Let us know who you are and post some fliers with your picture, name and e-mail address on them. A lot of other campus groups post fliers all the time with contact information on them. You don’t even have to post them all over campus. How about posting them in the window of the SGA office? That way, when no one is manning the office students will be able to see who you are and be able to contact you with their concerns.

Another idea I have for the SGA is to send out a monthly e-mail to all students to keep them updated on what they are currently working on. Yes, I know some people will delete the e-mail without reading it, but some won’t, and that’s a good thing. On the other hand, someone could update the SGA Web site with current information since the last post made to the Senate meeting minutes and passed legislation pages was in September 2008.

Updating the Web site is vital to informing students because not all students can come to the Senate meetings. Students have class during that time. We have homework, we have jobs and a lot of us have children. I am one of those students. My Thursday class meets 4:15-5:30 p.m., I work a part-time job and I have a family.

I believe it is our job at The Horizon to inform students about the meetings because not everyone can attend them, and I believe our coverage is fair. But it is also important for students to be able to obtain the information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.
 Maybe it is just my nature as a journalist to want the most current information available, but I think most everyone would agree that it is important when the information directly affects you.

I know firsthand how hard it is to balance four or more classes, life outside of college and extracurricular activities. And I recognize the fact that SGA members are students and some also have a job and a family, but being a member of the SGA is a choice, not a requirement. Part of being an elected official is taking a few lumps every now and again, especially when your choices are not what is best for your constituents. It’s OK. Everyone makes mistakes.

Let’s just hope the future administrations spend our money wisely and keep us informed with the most current information so we can continue to provide students with the most accurate and fair coverage possible.  

Amy Stallings
Editor
akstalli@ius.edu