ASUA's voting tendency alienates constituents

After attending the ASUA Senate meetings over the last two weeks, I just wanted to address a couple of issues that have been bothering me. It is the lack of respect that some Senators, particularly Sens. Garcia and Sliger, have for other students that are speaking while in attendance meetings. The other issue is why some Senators are wanting to cut certain programs and services from the university.

During the meetings that I attended, Sens. Garcia and Sliger were constantly having side-bar comments, whispering back and forth. What really disturbs me is that Sen. Sliger had an outburst at the meeting on April 9 because someone made a comment to their neighbor while she was speaking. I believe that most of us learned the Golden Rule when we were youngsters. For some Senators that do not remember it, it is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

My other point is the fact that some senators are willing to cut some important programs and services. On April 9, BGALA was almost cut, due to financial concerns on the behalf of Sen. Sliger. When she failed to get her motion passed, she decided to try again last night. But this times she was changing the way she was trying to remove the group. She redefined a program and service so it would not include BGALA. Again, it failed. She states that BGALA does not effect the entire campus community, therefore they should not receive funding from ASUA. That is just outrageous. Several weeks ago, BGALA funded the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay Awareness week here on campus. That was to create awareness on campus, for all to attend. None of the senators attended any of the events. How can they decided how to run groups if they do not attend meetings or events sponsored by the groups.

The Senators need to realize that they are elected to that position by the students, to represent all 35,000 of us. Their personal interests should not interfere with their duties as elected officials.

By Scott T. McMahon (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 23, 1997