Culligan, SGA move expeditiously

House Editorial

Most voters watch political campaigns with a cynical pessimism — they listen to what the candidates’ promises, but at the end of the day they know it‘s mostly rhetoric. Fortunately for JMU, the Student Government Association, led by president Tom Culligan, has set out determined to show students that they should get what they vote for.

The executive council — Culligan, as well as senior JohnAlex Golden, vice president of administrative affairs, senior Alka Franceschi, vice president of student affairs, and junior Gina Maurone, executive treasurer — have made fulfilling their campaign promises a priority. The council members already have accomplished six of their eight main platform goals.

Their quickness in passing bills with tangible results — support for diversity, adding parking options, improving Homecoming weekend and working toward budget reform — brings a refreshing energy to the SGA.

"Tom felt strongly about his platform and worked behind the scenes to make it happen," SGA adviser David Barnes said.

Culligan’s speed out of the gate surpasses that of the previous two presidents — Levar Stoney and David Mills. While both accomplished much while in office, Culligan has shown a determination to move his term and the SGA forward, past the campaign promises and into a time of even greater progress.

The two main platform points not as yet accomplished are Golden’s drive to stagger class times between the East and West sides of campus and Culligan’s public safety proposals, including increasing the number of blue safety lights on campus.

While the SGA and Executive Council should be commended for their work in these first four weeks, they must not allow themselves to fall into complacency. Culligan must continue to make progress — he has proved that he can represent his constituents’ needs and desires and he should continue to do so.

Culligan’s crusade must identify issues important to the JMU community and act on them where appropriate. His many accomplishments are commendable and his next step should be building on his platform plank of campus safety — an issue that is a major concern. While improving distribution of "Purple Out" T-shirts is pleasant enough, without a safe campus, there will not be any students proud enough of JMU to wear them.

The rapid accomplishments through the first month must continue and must address the most pressing issues facing JMU. Culligan has shown great initiative in his first 30 days and the student body confidently can believe that he and the SGA will provide them with a strong and efficient student government this coming year — a student government that acts with a knowledge of the needs of its constituents and the determination to see that they are met.