EDITORIAL: SGA -- a breath of fresh air
The Student Government Assocation has been successful this semester because they've kept student interests in mind.
In lieu of a stagnant 2011-2012 school year regarding the SGA's involvement on campus, this year's progress deserves to be praised. SGA has fought aggressively, standing against the academic calendar and making sure the student voice was heard. As an Editorial Board, we believe the calendar change it is not in the students' best interests, and Gawronski and SGA stood up for that.
When tailgate was long forgotten as a staple of Central Michigan University's football games, SGA President Justin Gawronski worked with CMU athletics to loosen some of the tight restrictions that had been set in place. As a result, tailgate lots were filled a la 2008 for the football games against Michigan State and Western Michigan. Students felt like their freedom was returned -- even if the Chippewas lost both games.
When Election Day rolled around and more than 30 voter absentee ballots were misplaced and not able to be counted toward the election, Gawronski and SGA Vice President Killian Richeson immediately owned up to their mistake and apologized to the student body. Gawronski even went so far as to hand deliver apologies to each student whose ballot was lost.
If we're going to talk about improved transparency and communication, this a prime example. After that incident, Richeson and Gawronski built up trust with the student body when they were able to admit and apologize for their mistake.
While the SGA has been accused of being lackeys for the university, faculty or other side in the past, this group involved seems to have one goal in mind: To push for what students as a whole want.
After last year's faculty and administration battle, it's clear that students must fend for themselves in terms of what they want.
To see a group fight for the betterment of students in cases like the academic calendar change is a breath of fresh air. We applaud SGA and hope that it will continue the fight.
