Imagination VS Reality

Dear Editor, Commonwealth Times:

It is time for a "reality check" of sorts concerning the continual deterioration of the Student Government Association. Under the current SGA leadership, student involvement in student government has fallen year after year. Two years ago, 3,000 students voted in the SGA presidential election. Last year, turnout was a paltry 1,800 out of a student body of more than 20,000.

Fewer students have felt compelled to run for Student Senate every year, viewing it as an ineffective body in truly addressing the concerns and needs of the students. At what point will the SGA become relevant and actually communicate with the students and fight for their interests on issues that matter?

It is time for real change for VCU. In the last two years, VCU students have seen their tuition increase by more than 10 percent, yet, at no point has the SGA spoken up for the students to demand an explanation. Instead, we get the same talk about party patrols and a football team.
Real issues face the students of VCU, and real changes are not going to come from a new social or health awareness by the student body but by solid leadership that understands that the purpose of student government is to develop a conversation between the student body, the administration and the city of Richmond.

When is the last time the student body had a truly representative voice at that table?
The student body of VCU is divided. As the school continues to expand, it finds itself segregating into departments: business on one side, art and music on another; engineering here, life sciences there. What is bringing this varied body together? More importantly, who is representing its varied interests?

Actions count. But those actions must be real action on real issues that truly matter to the students of VCU-not the rehashing of the same unresolved issues the current leadership of the SGA has presented year after year.
Real change is about creating an environment that students want to be a part of, not something they have to be begged to join. Ours is a campaign of transparency and engagement, a student government that is open to ideas, that is truly fighting for the issues that matter to every student at VCU and laying the foundation of a school that we are all proud to call our own.
This change will not come with fancy words or empty promises, but real representative leadership that seeks out real action on real issues. For change that matters, for actions that truly count, the Latimer-Aida-Ronk ticket will provide that real leadership.

Sincerely,
Steven Latimer
Gonzalo Aida
Joshua Ronk
www.realchangevcu.com