Spring Break
HuskyMail meeting a good start for USG
Editorial Board
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Commentary
Last night, the Undergraduate Student Government held a meeting to discuss alternatives to HuskyMail. We applaud the move as a long overdue step towards the organization's stated goal of representing the student body.
For too many years, USG has let the purpose of their group be dominated by the politics of the funding board and the organizing of free food and trinket giveaways. Meanwhile - for about as many years - their constituents have been complaining about the inefficient e-mail client, as well as other issues like a lack of crosswalks or the steady decline of Arjona and Monteith.
With these complaints falling on deaf ears, there emerged an undeniable lack of faith in USG's ability or motivation to do anything. With this discussion, though USG has positioned itself in the perfect place to win back the confidence of its constituency. The USG has addressed an issue that nearly all of the student body agrees is a problem; presenting themselves as the leaders in such a universally reviled topic goes a long way towards winning back the acceptance of the group as leaders in more facets of student life - they merely have to seize the opportunity.
Right now, it is all a matter of talk. It would be too easy for the members of the student government to pat themselves on the back for making the first step and resting on their laurels instead of finishing the race.
The actual fight it will take to convince the university that it is worth the time and resources to switch the e-mail client will be a considerable one. But it will be rewarding if USG does not give up on it. In addition to having a reliable form of inter-university communication, the students could be provided with a governing body that provides governance beyond bankrolling the paintball club.? We hope the students join us in this sentiment and give USG the support they will need in this endeavor. If they fail, we lose nothing; if they win, then the nature of the student/faculty dynamic will shift in our favor. But their initiative in the discussion signals a willingness that is deserving of at least one chance to prove their ability as a newly energized representative body.
In 2008, former USG President Ryan McHardy famously implored the group to "stop circle-jerking and get some stuff done." A year later, it seems as though they might have started to listen. Whether that is truth is ultimately up to how they let the next few weeks play out.
For too many years, USG has let the purpose of their group be dominated by the politics of the funding board and the organizing of free food and trinket giveaways. Meanwhile - for about as many years - their constituents have been complaining about the inefficient e-mail client, as well as other issues like a lack of crosswalks or the steady decline of Arjona and Monteith.
With these complaints falling on deaf ears, there emerged an undeniable lack of faith in USG's ability or motivation to do anything. With this discussion, though USG has positioned itself in the perfect place to win back the confidence of its constituency. The USG has addressed an issue that nearly all of the student body agrees is a problem; presenting themselves as the leaders in such a universally reviled topic goes a long way towards winning back the acceptance of the group as leaders in more facets of student life - they merely have to seize the opportunity.
Right now, it is all a matter of talk. It would be too easy for the members of the student government to pat themselves on the back for making the first step and resting on their laurels instead of finishing the race.
The actual fight it will take to convince the university that it is worth the time and resources to switch the e-mail client will be a considerable one. But it will be rewarding if USG does not give up on it. In addition to having a reliable form of inter-university communication, the students could be provided with a governing body that provides governance beyond bankrolling the paintball club.? We hope the students join us in this sentiment and give USG the support they will need in this endeavor. If they fail, we lose nothing; if they win, then the nature of the student/faculty dynamic will shift in our favor. But their initiative in the discussion signals a willingness that is deserving of at least one chance to prove their ability as a newly energized representative body.
In 2008, former USG President Ryan McHardy famously implored the group to "stop circle-jerking and get some stuff done." A year later, it seems as though they might have started to listen. Whether that is truth is ultimately up to how they let the next few weeks play out.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
James Fanco
posted 11/04/09 @ 9:41 AM EST
I dont get mad too often, but I'm sorry....what bullshit.
I graduated from UConn a few years ago, and Huskymail was horrible and unusable back then. (Continued…)
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