March 16, 1995
Now that the student elections are over, it is time to ask what is the best form of student government for this campus? We need a more inclusive student government. We should replace our paid student representatives with a volunteer student Congress.
A student Congress, an assembly of students, would run the daily activities of student government. It would be open to all; anyone that wanted to be a member would be made one. Members of student Congress would elect their own leaders and have standing committees to carry out its duties. This is the best alternative to our present system that limits student involvement.
Some argue that if we allow too many participants nothing would get done. Nonsense. It's unlikely on a campus where four percent of the student body votes, that there would be a stampede to join a new government. Even if this should happen, it would only mean more can participate.
Why should we limit the responsibility of student government to a few? There are several disadvantages. Look at the problems caused by the unfortunate arrest of one of our student representatives. A student Congress avoids this problem. No one is indispensable yet no one is dispensed with. A small group of representatives also limits the spectrum of students that are represented. By limiting student government to a few we deny opportunity to the entire campus.
A student Congress opens opportunity for many that otherwise could not serve. It's nearly impossible for a full-time student working off campus to participate in student government; it takes too much time and effort. A student Congress would allow any student to participate. The more students involved, the less the burden of work per student. This would also allow for different levels of participation. Our current system doesn't allow for flexibility, but a student Congress would. Give all students at SF State a chance to participate and learn from the experience.
I've been a member of a student Congress; I've seen it work. I transferred from a community college, a commuter school with a student population more than 10,000. There the student Congress administered a student activities budget, a program board, and day care facilities, not unlike AS. If it could work there, it can work here.
We are in college not only for education, but to acquire new skills and new experiences. Serving in student government is an exceptional opportunity for anyone. It is a shame that we limit this experience to a few elected students each year.