ASUA leaders' support for IIF shows disregard for student constituents

What happens when elected leaders support an unpopular effort in the name of larger gains to be realized down the road? An example is the Vietnam War; the division of opinion among Americans in that era tore the soul of our nation apart, yet the Communists won the war in the end.

Now our representatives-elect Gilbert Davidson, Casey Cuny and Tara Taylor are supporting an effort which is perceived to be unpopular (signing a letter to the Arizona board of regents supporting the Integrated Instructional Facility (IIF)) in the name of larger gains to be realized down the road (renovation of the Student Union). I write to argue that, given these circumstances, the "Communists" are going to win again.

The only data regarding student opinions about the IIF are from a survey conducted last year by ASUA, which suggests opposition. Nevertheless, our elected representatives chose to sell out to the regents in exchange for intangible promises to fix the Union. This action is an about-face for Davidson; in the Wildcat staff editorial of Wednesday, he is quoted in an August 1996 letter to the regents calling the IIF a "burden" on the students. He and his colleagues have flip-flopped, implying that the reason they now support the IIF is that they expect a quid pro quo: Build your useless IIF as long as we get Union renovations. Perhaps participation in student government is a good way to learn the ropes of "politics as usual" after all.

The issue here is of propriety. Davidson, Cuny and Taylor are foregoing a responsibility to their constituents to represent student opinions on the IIF issue. Without strong evidence to defend their position, they are doing a major disservice to their constituency. The IIF boondoggle will proceed and in time all we'll have to show for it is a blight on the Mall. The Union may ultimately be renovated; either that or the fire marshal will finally have the balls to shut it down for numerous safety violations. As in Vietnam, the "Communists" (here the administration) are still going to win in the end.

By John C. Barentine (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 11, 1997