The Observer, February 29, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 19
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: Governing Groans
Upon coming to campus I was swamped with the complaints of older students all around me. There were all kinds of problems spewing out of their mouths like sewage out of a fire hydrant if the lines were crossed. Now I will grant that a lot of these complaints were ridiculous, such as the infamous Case Women R Ugly rant, but I happen to think most of the women on this campus are quite attractive. Granted, there are not many supermodels, and sure, there is the occasional less-than-stunner, but that is not anything the old beer goggles won't fix, right? I digress.
First, I thought I would look to the administration directly. It turns out a good portion of the current administration, outside the very top two tiers, has been here for so long that they have erected a wall between them and the change of old ways. That being said, I must say most of these people are the some of the very intelligent, passionate people who care very much about this campus. They have just sagged in the cushions of their fancy seats too much, and the armrests have become giant Kentucky Derby-worthy blinders.
For change to actually come to fruition, there would need to be an organizational push to demolish the wall like it was Euclid Avenue. There was, in fact, an organization in existence my freshman year designed to do just this. Unfortunately, it seemed to have been purchased from the Craftsman aisle at Sears, because it was the biggest box of tools I had ever seen: the Undergraduate Student Government.
Somewhere between my sophomore and junior year, however, the stick apparently was yanked out of USG's hindquarters, and there was much rejoicing. Since then I have seen significant improvements in organization, direction, and passion for the needs of the undergraduate community. I feel the current leadership is some of the best I have ever seen, and Adam Rupe, you put more energy into the needs of undergraduates than most other students put into their classes. That being said, USG, you need to grow a pair.
It seems that most of USG's actions come either from serving on committees or passing resolutions that ultimately become a recommendation which seems to come with no follow up. I understand that Case is a research university and most of its upper-level decisions are determined with grants and donations in mind, and that is how we have become such a good university. But that is no reason for the undergrads to constantly take a second place. USG has the power to make fantastic changes for student life on campus, and fix quite a bit of the complaints that have been floating around for at least four years. It simply seems that it is going to take a push to make the student voice more than a verse and chapter number, but a whole book in the Bible of the Case administration.
