Everyone gets graded, ASG is no exception

Nov 5 2009 - 12:06am | Staff Editorial

Associated Student Government senators and executive board should be no strangers to the opinions page. This semester, The University Star has not been very outspoken on the performance of the student representatives.

But we have been watching ... and taking notes.

Now it is time to give ASG its mid-semester report card.

These grades are not final and ASG has time to fix any poor scores or ruin its good grades. Extra credit will be considered on a case-by-case basis. More than two absences will result in a failing grade.

We looked closely at their performance of representing the student body. There’s no real numerical way of quantifying this, so we’re going off a pass/fail system instead.

TRANSPARENCY — PASS

This year’s ASG has set a new precedent by putting its records online for all to see. This includes bills, attendance and how senators voted. You can find this on ASG’s page of the Texas State Web site.

A low point on the issue came when three of six senators from one fraternity were placed on the newly formed tailgating committee. An application process has been put in place to hopefully ensure a conflict of interest like this does not happen again. What could have been an extremely embarrassing situation for ASG became a simple misstep through the use of clear, open communication and quick action in implementing a new application process for the committee. ASG finances have been made public as well. Students can go to the ASG site and view where their money is going

ENFORCEMENT — PASS

This ASG administration is not the first to operate under a set of rules, but it is a breath of fresh air to see these rules enforced. Former senator John Nesselhauf was relieved from his position for failing to attend meetings. The attendance policies have been enforced this semester and breaches of the rules have been dealt with accordingly. On this issue, the administration passes with flying colors.

REPRESENTATION — PASS

Senators have been holding grievance sessions every Wednesday in The Quad. This keeps senators aware of major problems that perhaps only a handful of students know about and makes ASG more in tune with the student body. Before these grievance sessions, it could have been difficult for students to get a hold of their ASG representatives, considering a good number of students probably do not even know who their chosen senator is.

Hopefully students will utilize the grievance sessions and get to know their elected representatives while they are at it.

PASSED LEGISLATION — FAIL

We have not seen a single bill passed that aims to significantly improve the quality of Texas State. And really, what is the point of having these other actions, such as transparency and good representation, if at the end of the day ASG does not do its most important job? Not to diminish what has been accomplished so far, but if the semester ended today the student body would not have gotten what they deserved from their representatives.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION —  INCOMPLETE

But wait, the semester is not over yet. We have seen ASG working on and researching sound initiatives that will hopefully come to fruition before the end of the semester. ASG has looked into important issues, such as free STI tests, adding an extra dead day and safe transportation for students. But the semester is winding down, and the clock is ticking. Monday’s ASG meeting was one of the shortest in recent memory, and only thing accomplished was wrapping up a formality from the previous week.

All of ASG’s other notable actions should not be in vain.

Each of you should get a bobcat sticker ­­­— keep it up and you deserve a pizza party.

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