One measure of a successful society is the level of effectiveness of its government. For the student body at Nicholls, their government consists of the Student Government Association Executive Board, Senate and Supreme Court. We believe that SGA in its current form is ineffective and incapable of meeting the needs of the students. While we commend SGA for the work the organization did last semester, we are disappointed the group has lost its focus.

SGA has held four meetings since the start of the semester. The last two meetings have been rather short, lasting about 30 minutes. The senators have not conducted new business at these two meetings, with the exception of approving new senators. In addition, there was no formal discussion about any issues facing Nicholls students.

Surely, our senators could think of something to discuss at the Senate meeting, whether it be the current or future budget cuts impacting Nicholls or improving the quality of the student experience with discussions about parking, lighting University walkways at night or the print quota.

We do, however, believe that some of the SGA officers are doing their job. The Executive Board has carried out their job functions as outlined in the SGA Constitution. The Senate, on the other hand, has room for improvement.

We recall the first meeting of the Senate this semester, in which the governing body actually held a lengthy discussion – about whether or not to spend more than a hundred dollars in student fees to purchase shirts. It is outrageous to think that our senators have nothing better to discuss at their meeting than buying shirts for themselves.

It is the responsibility of the Student Senate to implement the policies that SGA will carry out to improve Nicholls for every student on campus. Each senator should have a goal that he or she would like to accomplish concerning at least one issue facing our University.

Some senators have resigned from the Senate because of frustrations from the lack of progress within the group.

We suggest that senators take time out of their day to talk with their constituency – the students. Find out what is bothering Nicholls students and work on solutions to the problems facing the University.

Students are beginning to feel that their government is unresponsive to their needs. In the past few weeks, we have received numerous phone calls, e-mails and office visits from students who want answers to the problems at Nicholls.

These problems include parking, handicap accessibility, campus safety and the quality of food service. Students also want to know that the administration is receiving its fair share of budget cuts and that the cuts are not being made only to student services.

While we welcome student concerns in our newsroom, we feel students are coming to us because their voice is not being heard elsewhere.

It is still early in the semester. The Senate has time to create goals and execute a plan to improve our University. With difficult financial times ahead for Nicholls, a strong student governing body is needed to make sure the voice of the student body is heard.