Editor,
Last semester, I was involved in the creation of PAC - the Progressive Action Coalition - for the purpose of bringing together progressive and ethnic groups to work better with each other and to make UNM more culturally diverse. We ran a progressive slate for student government in which I ran for vice president. We gave a good fight and lost. I've been helping the second PAC slate, again hoping to increase diversity and true representation in student government.
An argument that I have heard many of the incumbents express is that the PAC slate has no experience in student government and is therefore completely inadequate to run. First of all, this student government is an extremely closed organization. Three of the old PAC members, myself included, tried to run on this ticket and were disqualified for not turning in paperwork properly. This is an extremely harsh punishment for a clerical error.
Every student pays student fees; therefore, every student should be able to participate in how funds are spent. Every student should be able to run for student government. A fine is suitable for a clerical error, but not banishment. Ridiculous rules like this have to go, and the PAC slate will work to remove them to make ASUNM more
inclusive.
I have never seen my representative without having to go to the ASUNM office and schedule an appointment. Every senator is assigned 10 student organizations, yet I have never gotten a call, e-mail or visit from any senator representing any of the clubs for which I've been an officer. ASUNM senators should not complain that no one gets involved when they don't take time to contact student groups that were assigned to them in the first place. One great thing about the PAC slate is that, as a coalition, we all have experience working with other student groups, even if we don't see everything eye-to-eye. This experience will help make ASUNM and the campus more diverse.
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The PAC might have some lofty ideas, but I am tired of student representatives comfortable with maintaining the status quo and fulfilling the policies of the regents without publicly questioning them. A fraternity that taped a swastika on the hood of an African-American's car was allowed its charter, and a peace activist, Robert Anderson, was banished from campus for speaking up at a meeting about nuclear technology. In neither of these instances did our senators speak out - apparently, hate crime is acceptable, but activism isn't. Not a single senator made it to a regents meeting to address these inconsistencies, but many PAC members did.
Regarding tuition hikes, if our senators truly represent the interests of the students, they should speak out against them at the very least. However, there is indeed a status quo that needs to be maintained, and as far as I can see, the status quo is maintained by our senators. This is why we
need change.
The PAC slate may not be experienced in maintaining the status quo, but it is experienced with working with student and community organizations, and it will bring fresh ideas and new energy to student government. What do you want - a student government that works toward getting the Lobo logo on our napkins, or one that is willing to take a stand on strong principles, work toward change and make ASUNM a more inclusive, culturally diverse organization that truly represents the students? I think the question is easy to answer.
Bryan Evans
PAC vice president
