Election should highlight greater USG transparency


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When Undergraduate Student Government election campaigning commenced on Jan. 21, multiple reforms were proposed by the party platforms. All, of course, were designed to better the undergraduate population, though few allowed the participation of the entire student body. In this election, greater transparency in USG, which gives students a collaborative role in policy changes, should be the primary objective of the candidates.

This isn’t to say that USG is some kind of clandestine underground society. Students unaffiliated with USG are encouraged to contribute to their open forums and attend their Senate meetings. The organization recognizes that satisfaction from the community is rooted in consistent feedback. Student voice, however, only goes so far when the modification process based on these constructive comments is veiled.

Each year, USG strives to absolve many issues. For example, this year, USG has worked toward the implementation of a fall break and gender-neutral housing, passed a resolution to extend the drop deadline by four weeks and promoted increased accessibility for students with disabilities, among other accomplishments. Though campaign promises have followed through, the specific steps taken and conversations between USG and the administration remain under wraps. As students’ main liaison to the administration, USG should be less of the middle man relaying information and more the moderator that fosters an extended conversation between the administration and the students.

If USG readily presents the information gained from meetings with the administration to the student body, it not only gives the student government more accountability but also allows the students to view a certain issue from the perspective of the administration. These snippets from meetings could come in the form of electronic updates dispersed through emails or a smartphone application, readily available to everyone across campus. Regardless of the method, information about prospective changes on campus has to be circulated, and the student body should to be the first to know.

Moreover, inviting increased administration participation to the open forums and Senate meetings amplifies the students’ voice. This underlines a respect for student opinions and begins the process of eliminating the wall between the administration and the students. Combined administration and student attendance in forums is the perfect impetus to conversations creating a more supportive community and productive campus life. It is there where we learn how to connect governing bodies to individuals. Including the students and administration in the reformation equation is the beginning for USG.

So, elucidating the USG’s governing process isn’t so House of Cards scary. Seeing to it that specific actions are put in place for the benefit of 19,000 undergraduates starts with getting to know your representatives, their system and communication. Only with greater access to information will the student body be able to voice their own concerns to USG.

In turn, the organization can transform students’ voices into actual results. The students, USG and the administration must be a symbiotic system that works to solve campus issues together. Campus innovations proliferate when USG becomes more open about their conduct.

Danni Wang is a sophomore majoring in psychology. She is also the editorial director of the Daily Trojan. “Point/Counterpoint” runs Tuesdays.