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At the close of the 58th session, the Texas A&M Student Senate prepared to conclude the legislative business after a productive 2006-2007 academic year. Two individuals strutted into the Koldus Governance room with puffed chests and an air of pomposity. What began as a harmless critique on the Senate's performance, rapidly transformed into a discourse on the inadequacies of what was deemed an elitist body of student leaders. With one clenched hand held high, the other clinging to a golden-paged book and with a voice as patronizing and preacher-like as could be mustered, it was conveyed to the Student Senate the manner in which it should conduct itself. It was a hollow attempt at conveying a message, and now that one of the aforementioned individuals, along with a handful of devoted cohorts who find himself elected to the Senate - and he is quickly drowning in his own ineptitude.
Now in its 59th session, amid a time of change and legislative cooperation with the Executive Council under Student Body President Conner Prochaska, the Student Senate finds itself in a position of endless possibility. Yet, because of the squabbling nature of a few freshman senators the previously raised standard of leadership is already diminishing and a revered reputation among the A&M Administration is on route to being shattered.
The first meeting of the session illustrated the naivety and political immaturity of these freshmen few. During a presentation of the additions Election Commissioner Jake Bathman wishes to incorporate into the 2008 election regulations, one freshman senator stood to inquire about a proposal that in fact would place a check on the commissioner's power. Instead of asking what should have been a noncontentious question, this Northside senator found it necessary to begin the question with, "Seeing as how I have absolutely no trust in people or governments…"
Now, if one has no faith in "people or governments," the question is what would behoove one to pursue a seat in the student government. The logic is devoid from this equation. The only possibility for this erroneous use of rhetoric: in politics, one must learn to tame a wild tongue. Respect among one's peers is the currency of politics, and contention for contention's sake because of a na've lack in self-control fosters nothing more than the dissolution of such respect.
A lack of respect seems to be a common thread exhibited by several other senators in the form of their dress. As one might expect, the officers of the Senate require that senators dress in a business professional manner as University and city dignitaries are often present in the Senate. One such senator, either in an attempt at a fashion statement or in adamant opposition to a rule within the body, found it acceptable to wear a shirt untucked while in the presence of an A&M vice president during Wednesday's meeting. This is unacceptable as it reflects poorly on the student body as a whole.
The Student Senate should have the best of the best, those most able and most willing to represent the student body in a manner befitting the esteemed reputation of student leadership at A&M. For those who are unwilling or unable to do so, they will be held accountable for their actions by their peers, and scrutinized by the watchful eye of the students who elected to put them in the seat of leadership.
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