Understanding the Limits of the SGA

One of the first steps toward becoming an effective and successful advocate for students and the University is that you have to recognize the limits of the Student Government within the over all structure of the public higher education system. The SGA is a creation of the administration, and as such it is not designed to empower students or provide them with influence over policy and decision making. Instead, the student government is intended to provide a 'voice' with little or no legal authority to enact policy or enforce its positions.

The SGA is simply a vehicle. It is an imperfect and flawed vehicle, but it is the only one that the students have, and as such it has to be the starting point from which all successful and effective organizing starts. This is because, in spite of the SGA's limitations, the administration will ALWAYS turn to the elected student leadership as the only legitimate voice of student concerns on campus.

But in and of itself, the SGA cannot and will not provide power. As the official elected representatives of the students, it is absolutely necessary to have the active support and involvement of the President and/or Trustee in order to make lasting changes. (And it is also helpful, but not always necessary to have the support of the Senate).

But unfortunately, simply getting elected to any of leadership the positions does not guarantee that you will have any influence or success at all. In fact, in my experience many (if not most) of the people elected to these positions accomplish little that isn't competely undone within a few years after they've left. This is not a criticism of the people who hold the positon - rather a statement about the limitations of the officer positions themselves.

Back in the 1980's the SGA employed a full-time receptionist. Her name was Fran, She was close to retirement age and if I remember correctly, she had been a long time employee of the University and the SGA. One day around 1988, apropos of absolutely nothing, Fran said to me and a few other people standing within earshot: "As far as I can tell, the SGA President doesn't do much of anything at all." And she had seen quite a few of them.

This criticism is probably a bit unfair, but it is testament to the fact that if you come into the SGA not understanding its' limitations then you are unlikely to be very effective or successful. It is kind of like the old saying about voting, that "if voting changed anything it would be illegal." A simliar statement can be made about the SGA. If the SGA actually did empower students, then the administration would abolish it or find a way to crush it. Or gut it until it resembled something approaching what it actually it is.

Power and success won't come from the institution. Instead, it has to come from individual student leaders and organizers who educate themselves and learn to work together. Power comes from individuals who understand the hierarchy of the system and then learn to organize outside of it and around it. And by organize, I mean mobilize students and other grassroots constituencies to help pressure decision makers at various levels, but particularly at the top.

So, it may sound trite, but it is true nonethess. The first step toward creating successful change is realizing and believing that you are the key to that change. It is up to you to educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about the structure of the public higher education system and the policies that govern it. Learn about the political landscape within which the University operates and the challenges this poses for everyone within the system - from the students all the way to the President and the Board of Trustees. Learn how to manipulate the power structure and maneuver within it, and learn how to effectively mobilize and organize others to support your progressive vision and agenda.

In short, during your time on campus make it your goal to become a thoughtful, educated, insightful, savvy and articulate advocate for the University and the families and students it serves. If you accomplish this, then not only will you affect lasting and meaningful change, but everyone - the students, the University, the Commonwealth, and especially you - will be better off for it.