House Editorial: Now what?

We have to wonder what SGA can do to salvage its esteem

Posted on September 17, 2007

In response to staggering student sentiment, Brandon Eickel announced his resignation that will become effective on Tuesday at the Student Government Association meeting.

For the first time since the scandal erupted, the situation is being handled properly. While the SGA did not take the appropriate action and punish Eickel to the fullest extent, he evaluated student opinion and made the right choice, something the SGA seemed incapable of. His removal from office is the first step in repairing the damage done to JMU and the SGA’s image within and outside of the JMU community.

JMU must ask how the SGA will mend the bridges burned by Eickel’s irresponsible actions. The SGA must also redeem its reputation and credibility for its series of protocol breeches and illegal actions during last weeks’ meeting.

The SGA has seemed to show almost no regard for student opinion, going so far as to cut off students who wished to speak at last week’s meeting. We hope that the past two weeks have served as a reminder to the SGA that students should not be ignored, and that it will be held accountable for its actions by those who elected them.

Students should be encouraged to attend Tuesday night’s meeting. If there was ever a time for students to voice their opinion about the future of their SGA, this is it.

The blame for the student-Senator disconnect lies at least in part with students. Rarely do non-Senators bother to attend the SGA’s weekly meetings. How can we expect to hold our governing body accountable when no one is there to do so?

Eickel’s resignation is a rare instance in which student support was so strong it effected almost immediate change. But it can’t stop there.

The upcoming presidential elections are incredibly important. Eickel ran virtually unopposed in last year’s presidential election. This should not happen again. This time, there is an opportunity for real dialogue between students and the SGA. Students must use this election to push for a leader who will not coast into the office of President.

Ask tough questions. Set high standards. How does the SGA plan on gaining back student trust after this plagiarism mess? Students need to send a clear message: we will not tolerate an ineffective SGA.

What’s that slogan plastered all over the JMU Web site? Be the change. Or at least be part of the change that needs to happen within the SGA.