Lately, student government leaders have been making complicated statements. For those students who don't speak "student government-ese," here's a few helpful translations.
Members of the student group "Safeguard Old State" (SOS) are working with student governments at other Big Ten schools to promote change within our student government, the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA).
These schools are considering donating money to SOS. There's even been talk of a Big Ten "investigation" of Penn State's student government.
Translation: SOS is going to post a lot of angry writing on their blog. Maybe someone from another school will call Old Main.
If they get really productive, they might even hold a rally on the steps of Old Main. That means they'll stand around holding signs and yelling into a microphone for a few hours and then go home and pat themselves on the back.
SOS says they want "effective student representation" at Penn State.
Translation: For over a year, some students have been engaged in an epic struggle to make administrators give students power. For some reason, calling Student Affairs the "Student House of Horrors" isn't making administrators very receptive.
Meanwhile, UPUA had its first meeting last week.
Members said it went "really well," and they had some "significant debate."
Translation: They argued a lot and discussed a possible textbook exchange.
Bottom line: Students don't care about UPUA's organizational structure. They don't care that the administration has a minor say in changes to its constitution. They don't care who holds UPUA cabinet positions.
UPUA and SOS members: Penn State students care the most about concrete accomplishments.
The whole reason UPUA replaced the old Undergraduate Student Government (USG) was to cut down on the bickering. UPUA's primary purpose is to act as the "student voice" -- to let administrations know what students think about important issues.
When students make their voices heard, loud and clear, administrators are forced to take notice.
For example, last spring's proposed ticket lottery system was cancelled after a fast-growing Facebook group voiced opposition.
Student government leaders can have real power at this university, but they're not getting it by soliciting money from other Big Ten schools or squabbling during meetings.
