Student government in need of renovation

Few students take notice of their student government, and who
can blame them? We spend our time focused on our many clubs and
activities ““ business and academic, cultural and social.
These groups are composed of our friends ““ other students
““ who share our interests. But it is these groups that are
greatly affected by student government.

Your student government provides a lot of many clubs’
funding, meeting space and voice to the administration. Programs
like BruinGO!, altering Expected Cumulative Progress, Welcome Week
and the Jazz-Reggae festival are just some of the things your
government has done for you.

In the coming weeks, you will hear how your representatives will
be fighting to allow only the absolutely necessary student fee
increases. But this article is not to tout the accomplishments of
student government ““ it is to bring to light the discussion
on how to fundamentally change student government for the
better.

For years we’ve heard complaints about the inefficiency of
student government. Now is the time to fix these problems by
exploring changes in how representatives are viewed on this campus.
For nearly 25 years, we have utilized a council to voice our
opinions.

Each member is elected to speak for a specific concern of
students on campus: Cultural Affairs, Financial Supports, Academic
Affairs and many more. But this campus has grown and changed
tremendously since this system was enacted. For example, though we
began as a commuter school, UCLA now plans to offer guaranteed four
years on-campus housing by 2011.

Other problems arise from the structure of our student
government. How can the cultural affairs of someone from Los
Angeles and someone from Silicon Valley be represented by one
person? How can the financial matters of a student from a
single-family home be voiced by the same person who represents a
trust-fund baby?

I have worked with student government for three years, and those
who give their time to fill these noble offices are amazing people.
They make personal sacrifices to juggle their representation,
academics, families and friends all at a time when graduating in
four years can be daunting enough. It is not them I am criticizing,
but the system.

There will always be differences between students, and as UCLA
fights to increase diversity, those differences will only grow
larger. Therefore, as James Madison once said, it is the
responsibility of government to incorporate these conflicting
interests in a fair and considerate way into its operations. That
way every voice is heard and no one is drowned out because of the
power of the majority.

Madison’s vision does not exist in our student council.
Students are treated the same with no consideration of their
differences.

The concept of representation in our student government must
change. Representation based on all-encompassing issues is
important, and should serve as an advisory and program-oriented
role similar to the cabinet of an American president.

But our general representation can best be served by having more
than three general representatives speak for everyone. We need
another branch in our student government with enough general
representatives (or senators) to speak for the factions and diverse
needs that exist among the 25,000 undergraduates at UCLA.

These senators could be elected based on support by various
factions. It should be our choice. Students living on-campus have
much different cultural and academic needs than commuter or
off-campus students. The same goes for issues such as financial and
health needs. We have much more in common by where we live than by
just being a student at UCLA.

It would be perfect if this debate focused solely on the public
good, neglecting all thoughts and biases not in the true interests
of students. But this is something more passionately desired than
seriously expected.

This topic is far too vast and encompassing, including the
funding of groups on campus, not to attract the ire of those who do
not wish to see the power, prestige and pocketbook of their office
decrease.

Be cautious in all arguments you hear, both for and against any
changes. Decisions such as these come about once every few decades
and must be taken with the serious thought that granted every UCLA
student admission to this university.

Vardner is the undergraduate transportation and parking
representative and former chairman of the Elections Board.