Letters 8/29
Columnist’s assessment of student leaders is unfair
TO THE EDITOR:
Elizabeth Freeman’s “Student leaders work for students” (Aug. 28) indicates that both James Allred and Luke Farley are simply power-hungry title-chasers.
As a current member of Student Congress, I can personally testify that this article misconstrues the drives of these two gentlemen.
Having had the privilege of working with James and Luke on many different occasions, I can say that both are motivated and devoted to ensuring that the student body’s needs are represented and met.
In the column, Freeman harps on whether these two are capable of protecting student’s pocketbooks. In working more closely with Luke Farley in Student Congress, I can ensure the student body that protecting their dime is at the top of his agenda.
Just at our last Student Affairs Committee meeting, no other member raised as many questions and concerns over the recent change in the printing policy than Luke Farley. Luke has sought tirelessly throughout his time in office to reduce unnecessary student fees and is infamous on campus as the defender of student’s pocketbooks.
Freeman should know Mr. Farley’s convictions since she served with him for two years in Congress. I wonder if she just did not pay attention? As for partisan politics, both James and Luke provide a balance to student government that is not only beneficial, but also necessary.
Rep. Katie Willett
Student Congress
District 6
Student Congress is here to support UNC students
TO THE EDITOR:
In response to our former colleague Elizabeth Freeman’s column yesterday, we would like to take a moment to set the record straight, and we believe we speak for the consensus of the Student Congress.
Ms. Freeman is correct that one of the chief purposes of Congress is to disburse student activity fee money, roughly one half of a million dollars per year. Because this is such a heavy responsibility, we all take it very seriously.
Surprisingly, we could spend much more if we did not devote so much time every week to scrutinizing funding requests and weighing them against the best interests of the student body and specific criteria in Title V of the Student Code.
There is little waste, nor is there room for it, because hundreds of thousands more dollars are requested every year than we can spend, and we do not want to put upward pressure on student fees.
We speak from two different sides of the traditional left-right political spectrum, and there are those in Congress on both sides of the aisle, yet that is nearly always irrelevant to the body’s business.
It is political, to be sure, but it is rarely partisan. We are here to serve students, not our own egos or ideological interests.
To characterize Congress as constantly and unproductively mired in inconsequential debate, on power trips, or out of touch with students is to not know the body, its members, or our devotion to our mission.
We want to reassure students, particularly those of you who just came to campus, that we are here for you and we serve you.
That means we want more of you to be involved, and we want to hear from all 27,000 of you, especially if you think we are not properly representing your diverse interests.
So come to our first full Congress meeting of the semester tonight in Peabody 08 at 7:30 p.m., or watch us on Student Television.
Our meetings and all records of them are open to the public, which means you can find out for yourselves what we are all about, rather than just reading a third-hand opinion in the DTH.
Luke J. Farley
Speaker
Student Congress
Dustin Ingalls
Speaker Pro Tempore
Student Congress
Student Government set to put on open house
TO THE EDITOR:
The Executive Branch of Student Government will be holding an open house today from 7-9 p.m. in our office, Suite 2501 of the Student Union. Students are encouraged to drop by during this time to learn more about what student government does and how to get involved.
We will be recruiting for 12 committees as well as several external appointment positions. Committees take on projects that encompass almost every facet of student life. Whether you are interested in academic affairs, the environment, women’s issues, art’s advocacy, or town relations, student government has a committee for you.
There are also many external appointments available, which are positions on committees around the University that shape policy, provide student input, and help ensure that students’ voices are heard. Committees range from helping advise Student Health and Career Services to the Committee on Student Conduct. If you’re a first-year student, you are especially encouraged to apply to the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor and the Freshman Focus Council.
We look forward to seeing you there to answer your questions about how to get more involved!
Christie Cunningham
Chief of Staff
Executive Branch of Student