Participation in VSA does not end with voting

You've cast your ballot and the results have been tallied. Some people you voted for have been elected and others—not so much. So you are done now, right?

It's time to sit back and let your Vassar Student Association (VSA) leaders work for you. We have been taught that part of what makes us a great nation is our right to suffrage. We have been taught that the vote is the one tool we have to make a difference and voice to our concerns. And concerned we should be.

In the coming months, just as there have been in previous years, there will be contentious issues that the members of the VSA will have to discuss and decide upon. Funds for student-led initiatives and organizations—especially new ones—are stretched thin. Clarifications must be made to the VSA Constitution and Bylaws.

Seemingly necessary cuts to the number of faculty and staff will affect the strength of our curriculum and the morale of the often overlooked people who help keep Vassar running.
These are just a few issues. Thus, if you remain silent  during your time at this College, you will not only be doing a great disservice to yourself but also to future students who will attend this institution for years to come.

In reality, voting is not a privilege; rather, it is the bare minimum. We are under the illusion that change comes solely from the vote. That is why we celebrated so much that Tuesday in November and this past Tuesday morning at the Election results party in the Retreat. We celebrated because we won.

In both cases, the majority triumphed, but no one is yet done. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and be more active participants in our Student Association.

Vassar is a microcosm in relation to the entire United States. Once we vote for candidates in the federal, local or student government, the majority of us just go about our daily lives hoping that our elected leaders will act in our best interests. There is, however, something very wrong with the notion that a small select group can adequately voice your concerns—especially if you do not have a personal relationship with the people in this group.

While the VSA Council meetings held every Sunday are open to the entire Vassar community, few attend unless they are included in that week's agenda. This can be remedied by something so simple as a change in the venue that appears more inclusive and allows more seats for others—this would be a simple yet visual invitation that could encourage higher attendance and participation from interested students.

It us not like we don't all have thoughts on these matters. We occasionally gripe about them with our friends and neighbors—but if your opinions mean anything to you, then now is the time to place your thoughts in the public sphere where they can help bring about the positive change that we long for.

At the end of the day it is our elected student leaders who must ultimately decide on the best course of action. But without students' input they can only presume to know what it is we really want. After all, voting for a candidate is not a direct vote for specific policies.

There is something very special about student government. It is a collegial learning experience without any professors. You struggle with what you believe to be right while you learn and gain perspectives from your peers. You then work to arrive at the best solutions.

It is a shame that such a relatively small number of people are a part of this wonderful system. But just because you are not an elected student leader, it doesn't mean that you cannot be a part of the larger discussion.

I am not suggesting that everyone should go to all Council meetings or that all of us even have the time to do that. But while I feel that this would be the best way to become more active constituents of the VSA, there are indeed other ways to get involved. E-mail your representatives who serve on the Committee on Curricular Policy as well as your other representatives on other important committees and councils. The internet and other technologies can allow for greater participation from students and enrich the level of discussion so that our elected leaders can make the most informed decisions possible.
You have the power to help shape Vassar as you see fit. I urge you to exercise that power. We are not all elected representatives, but we can all be student leaders.

—Brian Moody '10 was a candidate for VSA Vice President for Operations during this year's 2009-10 VSA elections.