Senators alone are not at fault

Adam Pulver's critical Viewpoint ("Senate needs to work on reputation and student outreach," 2/19/03) a couple of weeks ago about the TCU Senate places too much of a burden on the senators to reach out to the student body. Both students and senators need to make an effort to improve student-Senate relations; it will not work if only one side is making an attempt. I would like to address this important issue as a leader of a student organization that strives to inspire young people to pursue careers in political service and change the face of politics, United Leaders. If students and senators can improve their relations and contribute to the creation of an actively engaged community, Jumbos can apply those lessons to the real world once their time on the Hill has expired.

Two things are essential in improving student-Senate relations: students need to show more of an interest in the Senate and senators need to pay more attention to students. Many students do not know who their senators are, never mind that a Senate office exists and that senators hold office hours. The blame for that lies with both students and senators.

As students, instead of complaining to a roommate about the injustice of Tufts' phone and cable service, contacting your senators would be more useful because they can actually do something about it. Senators are students' advocates to the administration and know who to talk to and have access to them. However, students cannot complain to senators unless they know who they are. Senators should keep in regular contact with their constituencies. Who they are, what they do, and their contact information should be readily available. This is not shameless self-promotion _ it is necessary information for students to become more informed about the Senate.

Campus publications such as the Daily play an important role in student-Senate relations. Instead of covering Senate quibbling and drama that results in turning students off to the Senate, the Daily should devote more attention to what the Senate is actually doing. Many senators are working on worthwhile projects. The Daily has done a good job in the last week reporting about projects that various senators are working on. The Daily should continue to keep students informed about Senate activities, reporting on its activities rather than it's in-fighting. A weekly column updating students on Senate activities would be a good start.

In real world politics, many young people argue that they do not vote or bother to get involved because politicians do not listen to them or consider their interests. Politicians argue they do not pay attention to young people because they are apathetic. The same problem exists at Tufts between the students and the Senate, and with a little effort, both sides can end this vicious cycle.

Students should vote, know who their senators are, and harass them with everything they dislike about Tufts so senators can strive to make Tufts a better place. Senators serve as advocates for students _ make them work for you! But before students can do that, senators need to reach out to them so they know who their senators are and why they are in the Senate. The Senate is already heading in the right direction by reaching out to all the student organizations. It is now up to the students to meet them halfway.

Allison Goldsberry is a senior majoring in political science and the President of United Leaders.