One Woman Academy

tuba-barbie:

Boston University Student Union Elections -Who to vote for and why. A Senator’s guide to the Stu-U Elections. 

BU’s voting period is in full swing, and I’ve heard this and that about Rhett Volution, The Rhett Offensive, and Build BU. Frankly, it’s pissing me off about how little the student body, and some of the slates, know about their University.

I’m going to start by saying I fully support Build BU and I will be voting for them tomorrow. Being in Stu-U the past two years, and being close to those who have known it for three, has given me a revelation:

Changes do not, cannot, and will not happen in a single year.

Each year a new slate takes over, and each year we start over. From scratch. It’s like the year before never even happened. Going from Matt Seidel, to James Sappenfield, to Arthur Emma has given me whiplash. But Build BU is taking all the hard work of this year’s E-Board and (shall I say) building on it, which is unlike any E-Board from years before. 

This year’s E-Board has been the most responsive to student needs compared to any E-Board in recent past. Don’t know what happened this year in Student Union? Well you should. Here’s a list:

1. GPS for the BU Shuttle and its tracking system
2. A more student-accessible office
3. GSU Takeover
4. Mugar has opened it’s 24 hour study period 4 days earlier this semester 
5. Hosting the BILC at BU for the first time next Fall
6. Offering a resume building class for everyone, not just SMG students
7. Better connections with administrators
8. Women’s defense PDP (RAD for Women PDP191)
9. A list of all study areas and when they’re open
10. http://www.buunion.org/wordpress/?page_id=18 This is a list of everything accomplished in the first semester alone

Here’s what we want to continue into next year:

1. 24 hour libraries
2. Allowing coffee makers and blenders in all dorms
3. Growing the Center for Career Development
4. Gender Neutral Housing
5. Open Murals around campus
6. Making Medical Amnesty information more public

Have you heard of Rhett Volution or The Rhett Offensive talk about continuing any of these? And why do they talk about issues that have already been tried by past Unions? For example:

 — 24 BU Shuttle? Tried last year. It’ll never happen for our generation. Too expensive. Get over it.

— Expanding the BU Shuttle stops? Tried this year. Too expensive and the administration is not going to budge. 

— Want Convenience Points everywhere? So do we. Too bad it’s too expensive for retailers to offer it and retailers have to sell Pepsi products (sorry Coke). 

— Want to know where all of your tuition money is going? Guess what? Most of that information is already available online (did you know we have a statue fee?). If you want more detail, you can ask an administrator and they can give you more information. Or check out the Women’s Resource Center’s Disorientation Guide. (http://disorientingbu.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/2010-disorientation-guide1.pdf) 

Sorry to disappoint, but these issues are not going to be fixed or altered for a long time. Rhett Volution and The Rhett Offensive should focus on student concerns that are realistically achievable. 

And if you’re asking for respect from administrators and the University, don’t go around preaching sit-ins, vandalizing school and student property, and crying like you’re protesting the Vietnam War (get out of the 50’s and into the modern world). Administrators like those who are approachable. If you’re yelling at them with a mega phone or tossing Greek letters in their faces they are not going to ever respect you as a representative of the entire student body.

On another note, I fully support Greek life. I think it’s a wonderful college experience that should be a larger influence on this campus. But if I hear another member of the Greek community say that they are going to vote for The Rhett Offensive simply because they are Greek I will gouge your eyes out. Do you know anything about their policy or Student Union or have any sense of pride as a voter? It’s the same as voting for Obama because he’s black. 

Sure, Rhett Volution has a cool name and they like protesting. Sure, The Rhett Offensive is Greek and has half of a Union member.

But Build BU has years of experience behind them and a freshmen to bring a breath of fresh air. Their platform is one that will be the most productive of any E-Board because they are working off of the accomplishments of this year’s E-Board. 

I encourage everyone to make the smart choice and vote for Build BU. 

Let’s go BU!

Note: Boston University Student Union and its E-Board do not support any single slate. I am speaking as an individual member and these are my personal opinions.