Western Courier

Issue date: 9/8/04 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Ashley Hauk

Anybody who follows campus politics knows the Student Government Association suffers from an image problem.

This year SGA is trying to change that, but may be focusing its own image more than on the students.

Last year, SGA seemed to face controversy at every turn.

Students argued against the reappointment of Dan Maxwell as SGA faculty adviser.

Doug Smith, former speaker of the senate, said he wanted to overcome the bad reputation SGA had gained and move forward with the group.

However, Smith and other senators seemed to rub each other the wrong way. Last November, SGA members signed a petition calling for Smith's impeachment, and those who signed it staged a walk-out. Smith resigned before impeachment proceedings began.

This year, controversy has already arisen over whether or not SGA's actions led to the changes in the Commuter B-lot.

Jamie Christianson, SGA president, and Jessica Singh, SGA vice president, said they hope to move past SGA's bad reputation and truly work for the students.

To accomplish this, they have hired a pubic relations director. Article V, Section 10, of the SGA Constitution clarifies the duties of the SGA public relations director. Part of the job is to coordinate all SGA publicity and public affairs.

The public relations director has asked the Western Courier for information on what will be printed in the newspaper about SGA before it hits newsstands. We welcome feedback, but will not tolerate prior review.

The WC would like to clarify for our readers that what we print about SGA has not been through an SGA-appointed censor. We pledge accurate, detailed coverage of SGA that will let the student body evaluate SGA's leadership.

The student press is often the lone watchdog of student government - a job we take very seriously.

Instead of focusing on spin, SGA needs to work for the students and do things that don't require a spin. SGA recently took positive action to improve students' lives by beginning to work with the Macomb chapter of the League of Women Voters on voter registration. SGA has also adopted the Macomb Square through an anti-litter campaign. Actions like these will also boost the reputation of SGA.

We have no doubt that Singh and Christianson will strive to fulfill their campaign promises and give SGA a much-needed reputation boost. When they do, we will surely cover it - without added spin.

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