OUR VIEW: Giving credit where credit is due
One of the drawbacks to elected office is the inevitable subjection to the wrath of public opinion. Included among that public, and probably with the loudest voice of opinion, is the media, which will oftentimes also be the most influential voice of support or dissent toward public officers and their decisions made on behalf of entire student bodies.
Another drawback is that often, the issues that upset the most people will receive the most attention from the media in response to any and all public outcry, while tremendous successes, great administrative decisions and well-executed programming events will usually receive one mention and rarely be talked of again.
Despite the criticisms, controversies, differing opinions or whatever other critiques the past year’s ASUSU officers may have heard or dealt with, the year was an incredible step toward much bigger things for Utah State University.
In sports terminology, USU has been swinging for the fences this past year, with a handful of home runs, despite an occasional strikeout. USU has felt much more like a big-time college campus this past year rather than the small-town agricultural school we actually are. Major credit is due to those responsible, while plenty of pressure is now on the officers succeeding those people.
If the staggering increase in voter turnout for this year’s ASUSU elections is any indication, a lot more students were willing to have their voice heard this year compared to prior elections, and it would also appear that a lot more students believe strongly in what appears to be a promising group of elected officers.
Sure, it’s only just more than a week into the new regime, but so far so good.
If the transparency that members of ASUSU and their advisers demonstrated in sharing their new budget structure – see story on page 1 – is any indication of how they plan to operate all year, then the 2011-12 ASUSU officers will likely do wonders in involving and representing the USU student body in a very good way.
The voter turnout is one indication that people are caring more and more about being involved in decisions, whether it be their own decisions or electing others to make decisions. If ASUSU is going to welcome outside input with open arms while making information of their own dealings readily available to whomever desires, then the follow-up to what has been a monumentally eventful year looks to be in good hands.