Letters to the Editor

Who really cares?

Shannon, I am a bit frustrated to read the little tiffs the ASBSU elects and the pissed students are breeding. I have not heard one thing from anyone on either side of the real issue and concerns, just a lot of bitching and no action!

What happened to the ASBSU that fought so valiantly for us Vets in a time of bullying by the “wanna-be God” Kustra?

That is the student body we need. Not do-nothing, irresponsible, money grubbing, children. I have not heard one thing about issues Veterans face or their problems with University bullying nothing about the students who have nothing (no food, books, help, family,) during the holidays. I see no help for those who have emotional issues or suicidal tendencies! I see a lot of articles but no answers!

There are a number of growing concerns with these students and Vets on this campus, these people need help and support.

So, as I see it, this is what the New ASBSU council should be working on and visibly. Whatever financial stupidity they have gotten into does not come up unless it has merit, right? Ok, I feel that if this is going to be a problem that trumps the real issues, then a recall is needed or a public forum needs to be done!

If there is corruption going on, then out they will go! Lets fix real problems – emotional turmoil students face, suicides, homelessness, no food, biased loan lending, religious bias, social bias, sexual orientation bias, and just all of the biases, period!

You, the student body council, and you, civilian students, have a lot to be thankful for. Stop taking advantage of each other, ripping each other off and stop taking advantage of the freedoms you’re getting! We’re all too spoiled and don’t take note of that! PS, Shannon, you rock!

Doug Price is a junior
studying communication.

How to fix ASBSU

The bottom line is that student government is inherently unproductive.  Specifically, ASBSU’s ineffectuality is a function of systemic and cultural flaws that undergird the entire institution.  In a more general sense, ASBSU’s failures are derived from a self-perpetuating misunderstanding by students and their leaders of the institution’s roles and abilities.  However, even in its current state, ASBSU is not all lost. Indeed, considering all environmental factors the institution performs unexpectedly well.

The most significant systemic flaw contributing to ASBSU’s ineffectiveness is the institution’s purpose and framework.  Just as cities are creatures of the state, ASBSU is a creature of the university and the Idaho State Board of Education.

Unlike cities, however, ASBSU has little actual power, limited to self-regulation and writing checks to clubs and special causes. Among other things, this systemic flaw has led student leaders to feathering their nests rather than representing students. In fact, over 23 percent of legislation passed by the ASBSU Senate between 1998 and 2006 dealt with ASBSU Code and senate procedure, whereas less than 17 percent dealt with representing students or addressing student issues. In essence, ASBSU has the broad purpose of representing students, but little power to fulfill that purpose.

Cultural flaws exasperate systemic flaws. Historically, student leaders have propped their respective branch of government up against the other two, creating an environment of power politics in the name of checks of balances. This does not make sense when ASBSU has limited resources, time, and power. In actuality, such an environment is not just counter-productive, but in many instances deleterious to student interests. Additionally, a culture of high turnover among student leaders severely hamstrings ASBSU.

Poor understanding of the institution by students and their elected leaders only worsens negative consequences from these flaws.

Foremost is the misperception of what ASBSU can practically accomplish. Almost as import is that students incorrectly perceive ASBSU to be a rational institution and judge its (in)actions accordingly. In truth, ASBSU is more akin to an organized anarchy.

When students and their elected leaders fully understand the significant implications of that fact, change for the better can finally occur.

Despite these legitimate criticisms, ASBSU performs surprisingly well considering the environment in which it operates.  It is difficult to operate as a creature of the university.

It is difficult to work when the workforce is constantly changing. It is difficult to be responsive when on average only 8.81 percent of eligible students turnout to vote and less than a fraction of a percent communicate their needs.

Yet, ASBSU has accomplished many important things that directly affect students at Boise State University. A recent example is the reconstruction of the university’s veterans memorial.

In conclusion, ASBSU needs a lot of systemic correction that won’t occur overnight. More importantly, however, it needs a more involved student body. Granted, those at the helm of ASBSU have their share of the responsibility; still, in a democratic system, it is the electorate that is ultimately responsible for the identity of their government.

Britton J. Holdaway is a Boise State Alumnus

Name the new Table Rock Cafe

To my fellow students: As the dawn of a new era approaches, a major milestone in our school’s history is about to occur. The beloved Table Rock Cafe has decided to rename itself, upon relocation to the new sub area downstairs. Having lived in the residence halls for two years now, I’ve had the opportunity to make many wonderful memories in T.R.C. (fondly pronounced “Terk” by Thomas Freeman).

With change comes revision, and a new identity for the cafeteria shall be born. My fellow students, I propose to name our new dining facility “THE TROUGH.” As a metropolitan research university of distinction, such a name is only fitting for our rising university. Not only does a name like ‘THE TROUGH’ sound completely bad-A, but the Bronco school spirit within the name itself is immeasurable.

When asked about the proposed name, BSU mascot Buster Bronco whinnied loudly, a sheer sign of approval. If you agree with me, please submit “THE TROUGH” as your written response to the Re-name TRC contest, forms available at the cafeteria entrance. Any TRC employee will be able to answer questions. Together, We can make a difference. Vote “THE TROUGH!”

Logan Kimball is a sophomore studying business management.

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