"Ah well! I am their [representative], I must follow them"-Anonymous
 

I write to ask you to run for an MCSG Executive Board position on April 15th. You can run for MCSG President, Vice President, Student Services Chair, Academic Affairs Chair, Financial Advisory Commission Chair or Program Board Chair.

No doubt you've heard people say that the overall effect of any Student Government, even at its most effective, is minimal. I certainly did—every time I ran for an election. In my experience however, most of these arguments have not held true. Allow me to respond to the more popular ones. In doing so, I hope to convince you that running for a Student Government Executive Body position will be worth your while. And, if you're effective, it will benefit the college greatly.
 

"MCSG is just an ATM machine. How much change can a bunch of students make any way?"

I have been an MCSG representative since my freshman year. Since then MCSG has created a Program Board; successfully lobbied for a $40 increase in the student fee; raised over $110, 000 for a student-run lounge in the Campus Center; changed the college's Van and Flag policies; convinced the administration to keep the football team because 70% of students wanted it; provided detailed student input during the creation of the office of Multicultural Life, the restructuring of Macalester's grievance procedures and the Strategic Directions process; proposed substantive changes Macalester's faculty review process that give students a greater voice; defended the autonomy of The Mac Weekly; conducted 6 large scale surveys, several forums and focus groups so that no new Macalester policy is constructed sans student input.
 

If that does not amount to a positive change in Macalester students' lives, I am not sure what does.
 

"Students are just here for four years. Faculty and staff work here for much longer. Therefore not only are they able to see the broader picture, the College's policies have a greater effect on their lives. It's, therefore, understandable for their views to be given precedence."

We've often received this response when asking that student views be valued equally to those of faculty and staff while the college makes or changes policies that affect our lives. We have disagreed every time. Here's why:

Although it's true that being a student at Macalester is a relatively transitory experience, it's an experience that affects the rest of our lives. That is the point of Macalester College: To create ambassadors for Macalester's ethical and academic standards, post-graduation. If a student leaves Macalester disillusioned because they view the administration as being ignorant of, or not malleable to, their needs then that is one less student who will promote Macalester's values after graduating. That is one less alum that will donate their time and money to ensure that Macalester stays successful. Students' views must be given as much importance as those of any other Macalester constituency because "the Macalester experience never ends" (just ask our development staff).

Not only does allowing students equal participation in college policy improve the long-term future of the college, students are also more than capable of considering this goal when responding to policy changes. No one knows the student experience better than us. We live through it. We understand what works and what needs improvement. Indeed, every survey MCSG has conducted has proven to me that students are aware of the long-run implications of the policy in question. It's the reason most students responding to an MCSG survey on the future of Macalester Football asked that special athletic scholarships not be instituted at Macalester if it meant lowering admissions standards to Macalester, for example.

We students must not allow other constituencies to determine changes to our college lives under the pretext that our relationship with the college is transient. A representative to student government is the most effective and visible way to lobby for equal and adequate student representation. So run for the student government; ensure that we students speak for ourselves for the benefit of our community.
 

"The administration does not listen to students' views anyway"

On the contrary, a majority of staff and faculty members on campus are very receptive to student input. Departments such as the Dean of Students Office, Campus Programs, the Development Office, and the Presidents Office are eager to gather student views before they commit to any policy changes, and we are grateful for their proactive stance. MCSG has often partnered with these offices by providing them with additional structured student input. So your viewpoint, as an MCSG member, will be taken seriously provided it is constructive and representative.

Unfortunately however, several policies are still made without adequate student input. We must work harder to convince offices such as Safety and Security that approaching student proposals with a spirit of mutual respect, rather than with an air of condescension, is beneficial to the college as a whole. The only way to achieve this is to build a team of dedicated and constructive students who will continue to lobby for student views with determination. If these are qualities you possess, I urge you to be a part of this team.

For if MCSG is not effective next year and beyond, then there are a number of student causes that will never be addressed. Students want much more late-night study space, ask that the Scottish Country Fair be reinstated, demand that J-term not be cancelled or reduced without their input, and want the new College President to be a strong student advocate. These are simply some of the issues we've heard this year-—you may well have a whole other agenda that you want to pursue for the benefit of the student body.

You may be curious about the quotation I have included at the beginning of this submission. I don't remember who said it; I can't quite recall what exactly was said either. Regardless, the underlying thought has defined my MCSG experience like no other. Following you, my constituency, in the diverse stands that you have taken has been very valuable for my personal growth. That's my favorite part of working with MCSG – learning from a critical, tolerant and passionate student body. I am lucky to have worked with MCSG Representatives who understand the necessity of lobbying for the student body's stated needs rather than following their personal agendas. I am grateful for representatives such as Clark Wohlferd (who has, to date, never once agreed with me on anything, but respects me as long as I am respectful, the poor sucker) who have taught me that being tolerant of different views is key to effective representation.

Indeed my work with MCSG has affirmed for me, time and again, the statement my predecessor made last year: "compared to almost anywhere else, Macalester College is a pretty great place to be." My Student Government experience has, above all, provided me with the most fulfilling means to contribute to a community that I benefit from continuously and without hesitation. I ask you to strengthen Macalester College by contributing your skills to your Student Government.

You still have three full days to file to run for these elections so don't delay! Filing ends Monday evening. Visit us at the MCSG office, call us at x6485 or email edonkor@macalester.edu, if you're interested.