Waiting On The SGA
SGA finally returned from its fall recess this week to debate the Hopkins Kicks Butts (HKB) proposal to ban smoking on campus . . . Wait, was it not in recess? Has it been meeting all year? In that case, we apologize. Because of the lack of any action, or any news of possible action on the part of the SGA, this page thought SGA had not been meeting. Our mistake.
A quick glance at the SGA Twitter account shows that the most recent SGA "tweet" that was not merely announcing a change in the location of its meeting was on Sept. 19. They have not updated the senate meeting minutes in three weeks. We have received more e-mails from the SGA about the young alumni tent than about any meaningful action it has taken. All this from a group that campaigned to increase transparency as well as implement more effective communication techniques. But perhaps we should lower our expectations when considering an institution that readily welcomed a freshman candidate whose campaign claimed the mock-support of "Hopkins Samurais" in the wake of the tragic killing in late September.
While the bi-monthly "senior spotlight" e-mails have been cute, we expected a little more from our elected officials. The News-Letter feels it has been more than accommodating, allowing the SGA adequate time to carry out freshman elections and get oriented. But the school year started two months ago, and SGA had ample time to plan over the summer. Where have our SGA members been?
Still, after this page published a condemnation of the attempted campus-wide smoking ban by HKB last week, it was nice to see a resolution debated, even if it was tabled, at this week's SGA meeting.
Unfortunately, the response came a little late to save some Hopkins events, such as Hookah and Hemp on the Beach. Their currently unpassed resolution states that "the SGA is also strongly opposed to the imposition of a fine on smoking and a ban on events that promote tobacco" citing the limiting of the "expression of rights" of other student groups as reason for their lack of support for the HKB proposal. Too little, too late.
Had SGA been more decisive at an earlier date, perhaps this event would have been saved. Instead HKB has been allowed to speak on behalf of students without an opposition voice until last week's editorial.
We are optimistic that with this resolution, the SGA will begin to fulfill its role as student advocates.
This page is not attempting to be overly critical, nor is it alleging that all members of the SGA are failing their constituents. But it is time for the SGA to respond. Perhaps this editorial will provoke it to do so.
A quick glance at the SGA Twitter account shows that the most recent SGA "tweet" that was not merely announcing a change in the location of its meeting was on Sept. 19. They have not updated the senate meeting minutes in three weeks. We have received more e-mails from the SGA about the young alumni tent than about any meaningful action it has taken. All this from a group that campaigned to increase transparency as well as implement more effective communication techniques. But perhaps we should lower our expectations when considering an institution that readily welcomed a freshman candidate whose campaign claimed the mock-support of "Hopkins Samurais" in the wake of the tragic killing in late September.
While the bi-monthly "senior spotlight" e-mails have been cute, we expected a little more from our elected officials. The News-Letter feels it has been more than accommodating, allowing the SGA adequate time to carry out freshman elections and get oriented. But the school year started two months ago, and SGA had ample time to plan over the summer. Where have our SGA members been?
Still, after this page published a condemnation of the attempted campus-wide smoking ban by HKB last week, it was nice to see a resolution debated, even if it was tabled, at this week's SGA meeting.
Unfortunately, the response came a little late to save some Hopkins events, such as Hookah and Hemp on the Beach. Their currently unpassed resolution states that "the SGA is also strongly opposed to the imposition of a fine on smoking and a ban on events that promote tobacco" citing the limiting of the "expression of rights" of other student groups as reason for their lack of support for the HKB proposal. Too little, too late.
Had SGA been more decisive at an earlier date, perhaps this event would have been saved. Instead HKB has been allowed to speak on behalf of students without an opposition voice until last week's editorial.
We are optimistic that with this resolution, the SGA will begin to fulfill its role as student advocates.
This page is not attempting to be overly critical, nor is it alleging that all members of the SGA are failing their constituents. But it is time for the SGA to respond. Perhaps this editorial will provoke it to do so.
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