Students can’t give the administration an excuse to minimize their voice, and the administration can’t appear eager to underrate student contributions, either.
ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government and MSU administrators are questioning the effectiveness of student representation in the Academic Governance system. The administration deserves criticism for its inability to make students feel heard, but students also should be criticized for not contributing much to the conversation.
ASMSU already has attracted students to Academic Governance, working with the deans of colleges to get students interested in representing the student body. Currently, there are 50 seats available for students in the Academic Governance system and 40 of those seats are filled, so the problem isn’t a lack of students.
When students say something, the administration must be in position to listen. The feeling of being ignored or not being able to make a difference has to affect the student psyche, causing them to be less inclined to get informed. If the administration is more accommodating to student interests, and students feel like they actually can make a difference, then perhaps they will take more time to get educated.
By questioning whether students should be involved in making policy, the administration undermines student desire to get involved and get informed.
However, students can’t let perceived administrative officials’ disinterest prevent them from representing students to the best of their ability.
According to Secretary for Academic Governance Jacqueline Wright, there is “no real possibility” of the system continuing without a student presence. The administration still needs student input to know how best to work with students, so students must contribute to make Academic Governance work best for them.
The administration can’t deny the passion students have for helping their school. However, passion isn’t enough. Students must also be able to contribute meaningfully to the Academic Governance system.
ASMSU, which worked hard to attract these representatives in the first place, needs to work to educate students on issues, or assist students in enunciating grievances to the Academic Governance system.
Both students and the administration need to re-examine the way they expect to work with one another. Student representatives can’t complain that the university is not addressing their concerns if they aren’t providing quality representation for the student body.
The administration can’t claim that students aren’t prepared to contribute if they are already prepared to minimize their contribution.
Only by being more understanding with each other can students and the administration solve their issues. Failure to recognize the importance of this relationship could have a negative effect on the university’s ability to move forward.
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