A DOSE OF REALITY
(In response to Katie Shoultz’s March 24 article, “Q & A with Tempe USG presidential candidates.”)
After reading through the USG presidential candidates’ questionnaires, I see two highly motivated, intelligent tickets. What I also see is a common theme in USG elections — one of the tickets running on a platform of change and discontent with the current administration.
While I appreciate the need and desire to change the status quo, I think everyone would benefit from a dose of reality.
The suggestion that there has been “little action from our student leaders” shows Tyler Bowyer’s lack of understanding of the system. USG President Jacob Goulding has little power at the Capitol, but Goulding has been about as vocal as you can be in opposition to rising tuition and fees. The reason students get the short end of the stick in Arizona is a systemic one that no student leader can fully remedy.
The main purpose for student government is to offer services to the student populace, and Vice President of Services Tina Mounlavongsy has done an excellent job. Her innovations with the bike co-op and her leadership on the health center expansion are hard evidence of a government at work. The Safety Escort Service is running at its all-time most efficient and is one of USG’s most utilized services.
I am all for idealism, and ASU’s students have a wealth of good ideas. Running a government is difficult, however, and progress takes time. So instead of focusing on starting over, we should focus on experience and furthering progress.
John Fetherston
Former Director of Safety Escort Service under Presidents Brendan O’Kelly and Jacob Goulding
