At some point in late summer—we can’t tell exactly when—a Student Government (SG) program comprising approximately one quarter of the budget was abruptly ended. We were unaware of the change for at least a month. It’s unclear how many students, or even student senators, are aware of the change as it was made by the executive branch.
The program itself, distribution of free copies of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to students, was probably worth cutting. While the subscriptions might be prohibitively expensive to students at a combined cost around $800 a year, it cost SG over $40,000 annually. While students did benefit, the program probably wasn’t worth the cost.
The means of making the change, though, is a little sketchy. To be clear, the executive branch acted within its authority. Vice President Lee Goble was also consulted. Still, for a fairly large change it seems strange that more people in SG, the press and otherwise were not made aware of the decision.
At least some of this money will go towards the production of a campuswide app, which will likely cost a fair amount of money, although it is also presently unclear just how high the price will be.
This brings us to the core of the problem: Student Government needs to be more transparent. Average students looking for information on their own would find that the SG website still lists the service, and there hasn't been any sort of announcement. But, realistically speaking, how many students even knew SG was behind it anyway? Only slightly over 7,000 people bothered to vote in SG elections last spring, and far less than that probably follow the organization with any regularity. A budget revamp is an opportunity for SG engage with students, not stay insular.
We urge SG to use some of the money saved to better connect with the student body and collect input. Even if the full Senate was aware of the change, almost no students were. If SG wants to serve as a liaison between the students and the university, it is important that they listen and report to the students they claim to represent.