The two-year administration of Georgetown University Student Association President Calen Angert (MSB‘11) and Jason Kluger (MSB’11) is coming to a close, and soon a new slate of candidates will vie to replace them. In the past, GUSA presidential candidates have drawn up long lists of promises, ranging from Zipcars for students to more silverware in Leo’s. Such initiatives may sound nice, but it is time to recognize that the GUSA president needs to take the lead on some of the major issues on campus, like the lack of student space and the contentious student-neighbor relations.
Contrary to what our neighbors may say, there is not a whole lot of free space on the Georgetown campus. But there are a handful of unused rooms and areas—like the first floor of New South—that could go a long way towards meeting the space needs of students and student groups. These spaces could be opened up by someone willing to put in the necessary time with club leaders and administrators to figure out what space groups need and what steps need to be taken to open those areas. What is needed is a candidate willing to eschew the small initiatives in favor of working for a major change.
GUSA presidents also tend to focus on the crowd pleasers (more flex dollars is a perennial favorite) often at the expense of underrepresented segments of the student body. One issue that is often mentioned by GUSA candidates, but sees little change, is accessibility. The relatively meager snowstorms of last month have revealed how poorly Georgetown buildings are designed for injured or handicapped students. In many parts of campus, students who cannot use stairs are forced to find long, circuitous routes to their classes. A GUSA president must represent every student, and this should be an issue candidates give thought to as they form their agendas.
The recent controversies surrounding the campus plan and new noise ordinances remind us that today’s GUSA executive must be closely attuned and involved with local politics—especially on issues that affect students directly. In Advisory Neighborhood Commission meetings, discussions with the neighbors, or University meetings, Georgetown students need advocates to represent their interests. Presidential candidates should be willing to go to bat for students at these meetings.
Every candidate should also give thought to the type of campaign they plan on running. The whole campus would benefit from a more civil, issues-oriented campaign in contrast to last year’s campaign, which at times involved personal attacks. A clean campaign would be an important step in earning student confidence.
In the past, GUSA has not had much weight in student affairs, but this is changing. Accordingly, GUSA candidates should give more thought to the deeper issues that Georgetown students face. Promises of Zipcars and silverware may win votes, but they won’t bring lasting change to the Hilltop, if they ever happen at all.
