2008 Woodie Awards
ResLife ban on empties withdrawn after student outcry: Your student government at work
Editorial
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Commentary
Aaaaand we're back! Hope you all had a relaxing spring break and have returned to campus recharged for the final stretch of the school year. Seniors: whether you're dreading the day or it can't come soon enough, graduation is only 60 days away.
In our last couple issues before spring recess, we had columns from the Student Body President and Vice President, a letter from the editor, and a cover article about a ban proposed by ResLife on empty alcohol containers used as decorations in dorms housing underage students. Much to our surprise, we discovered after publishing the front page article that rather than a true "proposal" up for discussion, the ban had already been written into the housing contract for the 2008-2009 academic year, without any input from the student body.
This prompted the formation of a few Facebook groups, and the ensuing outcry included numerous comments posted on our website and dozens of letters and emails that were sent to me, the SBP and SBVP, and Scott Chesney, the director of residential life.
Your voices were heard. After careful consideration of the perspectives shared by students, Chesney withdrew the empties policy for consideration in the Fall 2008 Semester. The way these events unfolded has illustrated perfectly why student government is so important in acting as a liaison between the student body and the administration. UNH has been lucky to have Dick Drenkhahn and Mike Merrill as Student Body President and Vice President this year - the two have worked tirelessly to be a more visible presence in the community. They've reached out to students through facebook and even had a weekly column in TNH, and the administration has listened to them.
The Student Senate Election Committee has just announced the official candidates for SBP, SBVP, and Student Trustee, and elections are just around the corner on April 15 and 16. Who will you choose to represent you next year?
For the Office of Student Body President/Vice President:
Heather Maguire/Olivia Karpinski
John Banks/Stephanie Saporito
Kevin Linton/Victoria Adewumi.
For the Office of Student Trustee:
Nick Benson
Frans Andersson.
In our last couple issues before spring recess, we had columns from the Student Body President and Vice President, a letter from the editor, and a cover article about a ban proposed by ResLife on empty alcohol containers used as decorations in dorms housing underage students. Much to our surprise, we discovered after publishing the front page article that rather than a true "proposal" up for discussion, the ban had already been written into the housing contract for the 2008-2009 academic year, without any input from the student body.
This prompted the formation of a few Facebook groups, and the ensuing outcry included numerous comments posted on our website and dozens of letters and emails that were sent to me, the SBP and SBVP, and Scott Chesney, the director of residential life.
Your voices were heard. After careful consideration of the perspectives shared by students, Chesney withdrew the empties policy for consideration in the Fall 2008 Semester. The way these events unfolded has illustrated perfectly why student government is so important in acting as a liaison between the student body and the administration. UNH has been lucky to have Dick Drenkhahn and Mike Merrill as Student Body President and Vice President this year - the two have worked tirelessly to be a more visible presence in the community. They've reached out to students through facebook and even had a weekly column in TNH, and the administration has listened to them.
The Student Senate Election Committee has just announced the official candidates for SBP, SBVP, and Student Trustee, and elections are just around the corner on April 15 and 16. Who will you choose to represent you next year?
For the Office of Student Body President/Vice President:
Heather Maguire/Olivia Karpinski
John Banks/Stephanie Saporito
Kevin Linton/Victoria Adewumi.
For the Office of Student Trustee:
Nick Benson
Frans Andersson.
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