Students debate ASG members' representation of campus
Bailey McBride
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: News
Milligan said he doesn't think the ASG accurately represents the university.
"Because they have such a well-connected network, it's much easier for a Greek to win a position on the ASG than an 'ordinary' student," he said. "The percentages display that. I think it's an unfortunate side effect of Greek Life. The ASG should be a representation of the diverse student body at the university."
But Nelson said students should realize that Greeks more often run for election than non-Greeks, and that's why they hold more positions.
"Sure, people might argue that Greeks are more 'electable' due to the definite votes that they would get from other Greeks; however, before people begin to point fingers, we should look at the proportion of Greeks that ran versus non-Greeks," Nelson said. "Probably what you would find is that the number of Greeks and non-Greeks elected to Senate is proportional to the number of people in each group that ran," not proportional to those on campus.
However, Sam Smith, a junior education major, said some students might not be motivated to get involved in the ASG and other organizations when they discover how many members already are Greek.
"I think it's tough for non-Greeks, and especially off-campus students, to feel like they have a voice on campus or an opportunity to voice their own opinion," Smith said. "It just hurts our student community as a whole that students are scared to run for office because they know they have no chance against Greeks."
But Long said that because Greeks are recruited largely for being leaders and scholars, "of course [they] are going to be so well-represented in campus leadership positions. Should our university community be upset that Greeks are actively involved in many areas of campus life?"
"Because they have such a well-connected network, it's much easier for a Greek to win a position on the ASG than an 'ordinary' student," he said. "The percentages display that. I think it's an unfortunate side effect of Greek Life. The ASG should be a representation of the diverse student body at the university."
But Nelson said students should realize that Greeks more often run for election than non-Greeks, and that's why they hold more positions.
"Sure, people might argue that Greeks are more 'electable' due to the definite votes that they would get from other Greeks; however, before people begin to point fingers, we should look at the proportion of Greeks that ran versus non-Greeks," Nelson said. "Probably what you would find is that the number of Greeks and non-Greeks elected to Senate is proportional to the number of people in each group that ran," not proportional to those on campus.
However, Sam Smith, a junior education major, said some students might not be motivated to get involved in the ASG and other organizations when they discover how many members already are Greek.
"I think it's tough for non-Greeks, and especially off-campus students, to feel like they have a voice on campus or an opportunity to voice their own opinion," Smith said. "It just hurts our student community as a whole that students are scared to run for office because they know they have no chance against Greeks."
But Long said that because Greeks are recruited largely for being leaders and scholars, "of course [they] are going to be so well-represented in campus leadership positions. Should our university community be upset that Greeks are actively involved in many areas of campus life?"
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