It’s been a busy few days on campus. Aside from the day-to-day activities of our incredibly active campus community, AU Student Government held the fall elections for the Undergraduate Senate, Class of 2022 Council and a referendum to increase the student activity fee.
We all saw the many articles and Facebook discussions that presented different perspectives and ideas. Students were passionate about their views and wanted others to listen. The discussions raised many important points, nothing more often than the need for student leaders to spend more time listening. It also showed that, sometimes, student leaders aren’t always on the same page.
Here at AU, we pride ourselves on being passionate about the issues we care about and dedicated to the causes that matter most. We also have so many opportunities and abilities to do great things and effect real change within our campus community. With countless ways to get involved, student leaders are always looking for new ways to support their fellow students, and that’s exactly what they should be doing. Now is the time for student leaders to focus on how to benefit students, but also how to work together to make something great.
The past week also brought about a discussion regarding how the different branches of Student Activities – AUSG, AU Club Council and Student Media Board – coexist. Each plays a vital role on this campus in the programming, advocacy, production and support they provide for students. They should be able to rely on one another for support, for guidance and for continued success. While there are different offices and organizational leaders for each, at the end of the day, we are all on one team.
Public service will never be without flaw, but public servants must rely on one another to get the work done. I hope this past week has brought to the attention of all student leaders how important it is for everyone to remember the significance of the team we are all on. While we all play different roles, in the end, we all exist to support students.
So now, as we move past a difficult and divisive moment on our campus, I hope we can move forward together. I hope that student leaders will spend more time listening to the student body, working with one another and working across the branches of Student Activities to ensure we are all on the same page. I also hope students will continue to share their thoughts.
Let’s spend more time speaking with one another, rather than simply voicing our complaints on social media. The internet is an effective tool to quickly share ideas, but in-person discussions will always be the more efficient way to get ideas heard and things done.
Yes, let’s keep making our voices heard, all the time, and especially when we support or oppose something new. We can all commit ourselves to spending more time working together and supporting one another in this community we all care about. Every student on this campus has the ability to affect change and make a difference.
Whether that be through AUSG, AUCC, Student Media Board or any other entity, it is crucial to remember that when we support each other, when we listen to each other and when we work to benefit everyone, a lot of good will get done.
Colin Colchamiro is a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs and a Club Consultant for American University Club Council. They are an outside contributor. The opinions expressed by the author are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Eagle and its staff.
