The Rocky Mountain Collegian

To the Editor:

The month of February is famous on this campus for Student Government Association elections. Day by day, the advertisements become more intense, candidates begin speaking at student organization meetings and matching T-shirts start popping up in classrooms. Student issues are continuously generated, addressed and debated. And let's be honest, many times, the average student thinks, "Who cares?"

Serving as the current Student Government Association president, I have come to a unique perspective on this election process, and more importantly, on the functionality and purpose of SGA here at Saint Louis University. In terms of elections, it is an incredibly time consuming endeavor, and no matter what our affiliations, we owe each candidate respect for going through such a difficult process.

This past November, the executive branch decided unanimously that we would not support or endorse any ticket or candidate in this year's election. Our primary concern is the current term, and in order to maintain this focus, it is best to remain neutral. My comments are not intended for the endorsement of any candidate, but instead to address what I have come to learn about SGA and the qualities that the best candidates should possess.

I'll be honest, I had no idea what to expect when I was elected to the SGA presidency. Over the past year, I have come to realize Student Government's potential, its limitations and its duty to the students. As the official student voice in administrative matters, the SGA president has the ability to voice student concerns directly to the president and vice presidents and impact decisions that affect the SLU community. For this reason, the SGA president can have incredible influence. But, to be honest, this power depends greatly on the reputation and respect that the president builds over time.

Recently, I've come to realize that in order to gain this respect, an SGA president must have two characteristics above all else-dedication and tact. This is a position of leadership by example. This organization can only function if senators truly work to represent their constituents. SGA's influence can only be strong if the University administration sees that the senate truly represents the students. The president must illustrate his or her dedication to the students through constant responsibility and countless hours of hard work. It doesn't come down to meetings and speeches; the real accomplishments of this position are made through the office work spent in preparation.

Countless issues that affect students surface each year, and SGA cannot expect to confront all of these. An SGA president must be careful about which issues to take on and decide what the most effective way of handling them will be. It is easy for candidates to stand before you stating what they will do in their term, but a more pertinent question to ask is how they will do it. This position has a short life, only a year, in comparison with University administrators that have been a part of SLU for years. The president-elect must establish their reputation quickly and work hard to develop relationships with the administration who he or she will interact with.

The students have been lucky that the majority of the SGA members for the past 10 years have been outstanding, passionate individuals. There are many issues and problems that SGA addresses behind the scenes, and it is imperative that those voting choose individuals who will represent their concerns and needs in every situation. Those individuals elected to senate and the executive board serve as the official representatives of the student body. SGA has direct and regular contact with the decision-making individuals within the University, and it serves as the best avenue for student issues to be addressed. For these reasons, please research each candidate carefully; choose the one you believe will be most dedicated to you as a constituent and will operate every day as a diplomat for the students of Saint Louis University.

Adam Meister
SGA President

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