Nathan Seward knows "absolutely nothing" about student government and doesn't particularly care either. As student leaders take on the task of reorganizing and trying to improve student government, students like Seward may be the rule rather than the exception.

Seward (junior-psychology) said student government doesn't affect his daily life, so he doesn't bother with it and has barely heard about restructuring.

"I don't think anybody knows about it," he said.

During the last three weeks, several members of the Executive Student Action Council have resigned their positions and student leaders are now engaged in serious discussions about how to give student government's structure a face lift.

ESAC is a council of upper-level student leaders from groups such as the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance and the Interfraternity Council who meet weekly to discuss representing student concerns to administrators.

The Undergraduate Student Government is a group of students who try to address students' academic and living concerns. Its executives in the USG Senate are popularly elected every spring, along with the USG president and vice president.

Despite the possible implications of restructuring, many students seem to be continuing their daily routines of classes and schoolwork, not caring what these organizations do or about the events that affect them.

Martha Maddox (senior-anthropology) said she knows about ESAC's problems and that student leaders are trying to rebuild USG, but she doesn't know how successful it will be. She added that she believes restructuring won't affect her because she graduates soon.

USG President Chris Saunders said he is not surprised at students' reactions.

"It doesn't really come as a shock to me," he said.

Saunders said part of the problem is lack of communication.

"We don't have a governance structure that facilitates communication between the students and their representatives in student government," he said. "Right now there's really no communication."

Improving communication is a major goal of restructuring, he said. Saunders believes a representative is needed who can contact students on a regular basis and inform them of what is going on.

"You've got to get students more informed," he said.

As part of their restructuring effort, student leaders have met the past two Saturdays to discuss restructuring and have outlined plans for a new legislative branch.

But the meetings have not been publicized, and Saunders said there is no specific reason for not publicizing them. USG will probably list information on its easels in the dining commons and the HUB, he said, adding that the last two restructuring meetings have been very informal. They will meet again this Sunday.

Many students are not only unaware of USG and ESAC's roles, they don't understand what the acronyms stand for.

"People think ESAC's a gym class," Saunders has admitted during more than one meeting.

Lara Manjares (sophomore-psychology) said she has heard about restructuring but does not understand it.

"In the long run it's going to affect us, but it's so hard to understand," she said.

USG Academic Assembly President Erich May said he is also not surprised by student reaction, adding, "I am upset with the situation. I am disgusted by the situation."

"Student government doesn't touch the basics. Student government doesn't touch enough of life's necessities," May said, adding that even people in student government are bored by issues that affect students, such as parking and computer facilities.

May said he is unsure why USG does not touch these basics, but said, "Maybe because it doesn't get you the attention of the media." He added that perhaps people would rather pursue more controversial issues that put them in the limelight.