Too quick to condemn Avery

The Current | March 8, 1999

An open letter from the SGA President

I would like to address a few concerns recently brought to my attention. These understandable concerns focus on my absence from a number of meetings, including my first emergency absence from an SGA meeting in my two years of presidency. While I openly admit that I have missed various meetings, and I apologize for any inconvenience or concern which my lack of visibility has caused, there has been some exaggeration and sensationalism of my errors. However, it is important for the students to understand, despite what you have heard, I remain committed to my role as President of the student body. While some suggest that I no longer care about the students nothing could be further from the truth. Like many non-traditional students who work, my availability during the day is limited, as is my ability to travel to meetings in other cities. While this is in some ways unfortunate, it has allowed me to be available to evening students and nighttime events. I had hoped that voice mail would have made me more available to daytime students. While I have been seriously over committed, my eagerness to make positive changes in the lives of others has been the catalyst in creating this situation. These include being a part-time teacher, high school basketball coach, and a biology assistant on this campus. I realize that the end result to the students was still unfair; I had only the best of intentions. I have rearranged my schedule to maximize the time I have available for the students. After the last SGA meeting, I realized how upset some students have become. While I am happy to have an accurate picture of studentÕs concerns about my job performance, I remain concerned that students do not have an accurate picture of my performance. There are many projects of which I am proud. Our continued efforts to retain the present University Center, and to maximize the size and quality of student space in the new center, have progressed well. These projects collectively entail more than $45,000,000 of exclusively student money, I can hardly think of a better goal to have worked on. The Homecoming dance was an overwhelming success. My countless thanks to Ryan Metcalf and the others on the Homecoming Committee for continuing the revitalization of this tradition, which I resurrected from near death during my first term. Also, the combined efforts of SGA and the Student Activities office have increased student involvement. While I am confused by the difficulties we have encountered, and while I admit that I was bitterly disappointed by this UniversityÕs refusal to work with me on occasion (such as when my six months of work to bring the Grammy-award winning "Barenaked Ladies" to campus was suddenly dismissed because no one would reschedule a single volleyball game), I am still committed to serving the students. I will attend Senate meetings and report when appropriate. Despite the fact that there has been only one weekly scheduled ChancellorÕs cabinet meeting this calendar year, I will increase my attendance at other appropriate meetings, although my attendance in some forums is not and never has been appropriate. While I am glad that students have brought to my attention that I was in error, I want to provide a more accurate portrayal of my presidency rather than one skewed and exaggerated by individuals who simply do not like me personally. I also want to convey that I have regained focus, and my representation of students and service to them will improve. Together we will continue to build upon the gains we have already achieved, and create for all students a better educational experience.

-Jim Avery