Over the past week, I have been in dorms walking door-to-door to listen to the top concerns of the student body. The experience has been a real eye opener that I want my fellow senators and the administrators of Tufts to share. The Senate has fallen off the radar screen of the student body; consequently, the Senate must make its first objective next year the same as my campaign theme - that is to "Reconnect with the People." We need to directly reconnect with the student body, and that means going door-to-door in the dorms, culture houses, culture centers, fraternities, sororities, off-campus houses, student organization meetings, and elsewhere.
In the past, the Senate has solely focused its attention on the leaders of student organizations. But not every student is a leader of a student organization, and many students are not actively involved in student organizations. We must continue to work very closely with the 150 student organizations that provide a tremendous asset to our University, but we must not forget the common person, those students that are not so involved in campus groups. We must get off of our rear-ends and reach out to everyone, from the student playing Beirut on Monday night to the student forced out of the Tisch Library because of the library's limited hours of operation. We must reconnect with you, the student body.
If you would honor me with your vote, I will ensure that the Senate brings service back to the term public service. We are, in fact, public servants and we should not completely rely on waiting at a Senate table during lunch, sitting in our offices, or holding meetings in dorms, all of which forces you to come to us. It is our goal to make house calls, whether it be coming to your dorm or off-campus apartment. We need to go to the people, and not just when everyone is running for reelection - your concerns develop year-round and so should our collective agenda for you. Next year, the student body will know their representatives, define the issues the Senate works on, and feel reconnected with the body that is supposed to represent them.
After discussion with many students on an individual basis as well as in focus groups, I have outlined the three most important issues as expressed by members of the student body:
Creating a More Exciting Social Life
- This initiative will encompass a number of policy changes and expansions for social options.* The University needs to change an alcohol policy that is inconsistent, unfair, and unsafe.
* With reports of unfair police practices, it is time for the creation of a Police Review Board comprised of students, faculty, and administrators.
* Increased on-campus programming including the return of the Pancake Breakfast and additional special events.
* A regular shuttle to Boston on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Housing and Residential Life
- There are two issues here: building the new dorm and improving the housing lottery process.* The trustees have approved to build a new dorm, but it does not mean that they will build a dorm that fits the needs of the student body. Next year's Senate must fight for a 300-bed dorm comprised of a majority of singles.
* The housing lottery numbers must be released earlier in the year to allow ample time for students to make a decision of living on campus or off. Additionally, widespread concerns about the overall fluidity of the housing selection process and the lack of information provided to each class by the Office of Residential Life must be addressed.
Curricular Diversification
- Efforts to diversify the curriculum on many fronts will benefit the entire student body.* With Asian-American and Latin-American curricular transformation taking place over the next two summers, the addition of numerous classes should allow for the creation of culture options and studies programs in those areas.
* The University needs to further expand the amount of non-European study abroad programs.
* At least maintain the current diversity within the curriculum, the University needs to do a better job of retaining faculty of color.
Identifying and working on these issues would not be possible without directly seeking the input of the student body. I have spoken to students in several dorms, culture houses, Greek houses, and at student organization meetings, and these seem to be the issues that matter most. The Senate of the past has created its own agenda and has just assumed that the student body would stand behind it. The student body needs to help dictate the Senate's agenda, and the only way to do so is by the Senate reaching out to you and asking you for issues.
In my own process of reconnecting with fellow students, I have walked in several dorms and have learned of so many issues. For example, Alex and Elliot in Tilton Hall feel that the University needs to do a better job of getting its name out. Jenise and Mari in Houston Hall would really like a consistent weekend night shuttle to Boston. Amanda in Wren Hall listed several issues, most important, a lack of dance space for groups and limited handicap accessibility in most campus facilities. Ben, pledging Sigma Nu, stressed the need for an uphill ATM. Tiffany in Houston Hall wants Health Services to add Dental Care to their offerings. These are important issues that require immediate action, but would go unheard, unless an effort was made to meet these individuals. The number one priority of the Senate should be to reconnect with the student body. That is the only true way to represent your issues.
Eric Greenberg is a junior majoring in political science. He is the vice president of the TCU Senate and a candidate for president
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