The Government of the Student Body currently acts quite independently in its projects and issues. A vast majority of student organizations interact with GSB only to participate in financial processes. Constituency councils interact with GSB only by sending representatives to vote in GSB on behalf of the council. As a result, a majority of students know little of GSB and form their opinions of GSB based on these limited interactions. GSB is perceived by many as an unapproachable group that sees itself as superior to all other organizations. It often seems too busy to work with other groups on their projects, even projects that would benefit the student body as a whole. This apparent attitude of superiority annoys and frustrates many Iowa State students, and casts a negative light on many GSB actions.
Nate and I seek to end the image of a GSB that puts itself above other students and groups. We plan on developing personal relationships with the leaders of college councils, residency councils, and interested student organizations. By meeting personally with the leadership of these groups, we can dispel the notion that GSB appears too important to work along with others. Nate and I are excited at the numerous opportunities for potential projects formed through collaboration between GSB and other organizations. Unprecedented student events open to everyone can be planned jointly by GSB and other groups. I am personally interested in arranging regular meetings between the leaders of college councils, residency councils, and GSB to start conversations that can lead to successes. In addition to forming GSB-council relationships, these meetings can promote other teamwork opportunities between councils that exist only minimally at present.
The new Events Account that has been created for next year provides a financial backing for partnerships between GSB and other organizations. $50,000 will be available from GSB for any organization to plan entertaining events open to all students. Nate and I are willing to provide the manpower and determination necessary to make such projects happen. We're truly excited at the opportunity to reshape GSB's image and make it far more willing to work with student groups. With our initiative and positive enthusiasm, Nate and I are truly committed to creating a team atmosphere to improve the Iowa State experience for all.
I am a junior and your blog has given me more insight into GSB than 2 and a half years of "being represented" by it. I don't understand why senators don't have their own blogs or facebook fan pages to give people an idea of what goes on within the senate hall and gain some actual feedback from an online community. It seems like the only time I hear about GSB is during election times when everyone has a facebook group asking to support them and then vanish once the election is won or lost. Why don't they carry the group throughout the year?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I was just thinking that one of the ways achieve a better connection with students this might lie within your very campaign model of blogs and online social networking. So I hope that if you are elected that you will continue updating us on what's going on either here, on facebook or somewhere, and perhaps encourage the legislative branch to do the same. (Though I'm not demanding daily entries ;) )