Looking Forward

For a college of its size, Barnard has had its fair share of campus controversy and as an institution has considerable room for improvement. This year’s Student Government Association should be proud of the work it has done to improve campus- and University-wide community and address serious problems through initiatives like Going Green. It is a shame that only one person was inspired to run for each position on next year’s executive board—save for the position of SGA vice president, which failed to lure even an uncontested candidature. Incoming president Sarah Besnoff, BC ’09, and her council should build on this year’s successes and focus their efforts in areas where progress can be made—especially swipe access, campus security, and the possible creation of an ethnic studies major.

Barnard’s student government worked hard this year to foster campus community. Even in the midst of Nexus construction, SGA managed to make campus a friendlier place by organizing a bonfire on Lehman Lawn, creating a campuswide calendar, and tasking a committee with improving new-student orientation. Twice-a-semester town halls drew over 100 students each to discuss such timely issues as campus activism and changes to the Nine Ways of Knowing with President Judith Shapiro and the college deans. SGA helped bring wireless to the Barnard Hall lobby and contributed to a University-wide effort to find ways to decrease residential energy usage. And outgoing SGA president Laura Stoffel, BC ’08, spearheaded an effort to clarify Barnard’s relationship with the broader University through a pamphlet that will be mailed out to Barnard’s incoming classes.

Whether the ambitious agenda pursued by SGA this year meets with ultimate success hinges largely on whether the incoming council follows through. Besnoff, who currently serves as vice president of student government, should oversee a smooth transition so ongoing initiatives lose none of their momentum. Furthermore, her board should duplicate its predecessor’s efforts to hold itself accountable to the student body through assiduous communication—this year’s SGA reached out to students through regular e-mails and online updates, monthly articles in the Spectator, and detailed resolutions explaining how it intended to reach concrete goals.

There is more to be done. The recent tragic death of Minghui Yu highlighted the need for better security on and off campus. SGA should push Barnard Safety & Security to improve the reliability of its escort service, which shuttles students to and from far-flung dorms like Cathedral Gardens, Elliott, and Plimpton. In addition to security, two big campus issues remain unresolved: swipe access to Barnard dorms and the proposed creation of an ethnic studies major. Whether or not it is feasible for Barnard students to have swipe access at Barnard dorms or the ability to swipe into Columbia dorms, students still want their representatives to tackle the issue. Similarly, a major in ethnic studies would be controversial and should be approached with caution, but if students continue to express interest in such a major, SGA has a duty to address their concerns. That this year’s SGA surveyed the Barnard student body about both issues testifies to their importance. Given the student demand for action, swipe access and ethnic studies should be accorded high priority by the incoming president and her council.

It is unfortunate that Besnoff ran unopposed for the position of president. Though she is by all accounts qualified to serve, competition gives students a say in who will lead them and forces candidates to articulate their aims more clearly. It also gives a stronger mandate to whoever emerges as the winner. Students sometimes feel apathy toward student council and its role on campus. Nonetheless, the new board is inheriting a record of success, and we have every reason to hope it will live up to students’ expectations.