ASUA listserv subscribers annoyed with flood of messages

During the past 10 days, 70 messages have been sent via the Associated Students listserv.

Some subscribers, disgusted with frequent squabbling, have fled from the e-mail service.

Arizona Students Association Director Kelly Dalton said she asked an ASUA staffer to take her name off the listserv since the volume has increased so dramatically.

"It was a way for ASUA to reach out and it turned into a complaint group - a group therapy session," she said. "I guess it provides some entertainment."

Dalton said two other students were also seen in ASUA's Memorial Student Union office asking to have their names removed.

"I think people are fed up," she said.

The listserv was designed by former ASUA Sen. Mary Peterson in fall 1997, said Cisco Aguilar, ASUA's president-elect.

Aguilar said the listserv has improved since its inception.

"I think it's gotten a lot better," he said. "There's constructive criticism coming out of the listserv."

While some writers have questions for ASUA officials and announcements about campus activities, others use the listserv for personal attacks.

"I think we should have ASUA suggestion boxes replaced with dog poop bag dispensers," history and economics sophomore Robert Peters wrote on Mar. 5. "At least that way, we can help the students and try to keep a whole load of crap off this campus, as opposed to the load of crap that runs ASUA."

Political science senior Michael Benveniste has sent 23 e-mails to the listserv since Mar. 1. He said his messages consist of suggestions and helpful advice to the Associated Students, which would not otherwise be followed.

"Several times I've given suggestions to ASUA, and they have not been done," he said.

Benveniste has been asked through the listserv if he "has a life," as other subscribers question the high volume of messages that he writes.

"I do have a life," Benveniste said. "I'm actually working two jobs and have several extra-curricular activities."

He said messages that he sends through the listserv to individual people help inspire communication among all UA students.

Political science junior Vene Aguirre said she credits herself with starting the constant e-mail dialogue.

"I think it really shows frustration with ASUA," she said. "Something had to happen for people to get to the point where they have to insult each other."