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STUDENT URGES EVERYONE TO TAKE SGA ELECTIONS SERIOUSLY

by Steven M. Wolfe

As a representative on the Student Government Association and a student senator on the University Senate for a number of years, I wholeheartedly agreed with last week's editorial "Guidelines for next SGA president." I hope that the student body will take these guidelines into consideration when voting for the next SGA president next month. The SGA needs a new constitution and bylaws that model democratic principles to the student body. Once a new constitution is ratified by the student body, the SGA will once again gain the student body's respect and will be better able to work towards the students concerns on this campus.

The next student body president needs to remember there are no quick fixes and that progress takes time. Take, for example, the new University Center. Student leaders worked for a number of years before the administration allowed students to vote and approve it in 1995. The next president may be an alumnus or alumna of this university before any action started in his or her term becomes policy. However, he or she will most likely be living in the St. Louis area and will benefit from the better image of the University in the area.

The next president must understand how the University works. He or she must remember that the SGA cannot get much done by itself. For many issues, the SGA has to work with the University Senate through its committees. The next president must make sure that the student senators participate in the Senate, especially on their assigned committees where the real work of the Senate is done.

I hope that student who care about the future image of UM-St. Louis in the St. Louis community will responsibly consider who they will vote for SGA president on April 8 and 9. For those students who will not vote, I hope that the responsible students will elect an SGA president that will represent all UM-St. Louis students fairly and help improve the University's image in the St. Louis community.