Differences are great. I’m glad there are so many unique ways for students to be invol ved, but is there a way for us to all be different yet unified?
Student government has the opportunity to be that unifying factor. The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) has the unique role of being an adhesive that binds students together in a common goal: improving the campus and enhancing student life. ASUN’s mission strives “to gather input from all students, advocate student concerns to administration and provide student services” in an effort to fulfil their mission statement.
A problem that exists, however, is students not realizing they have a say in student government. Students might not even be fully aware of the issues ASUN is tackling or how their input can help. I often have no idea what ASUN is doing to improve the campus, and I don’t think to offer my input. I see student government as an establishment above the students and in charge of making all the decisions on their own. My beliefs may be erroneous, but that is because I feel uninformed, even misinformed, of the ways ASUN exists to serve the student body.
Besides handling university affairs, student government has the opportunity to help students become involved in the campus community, however, it doesn’t seem to do much to keep students actively engaged.
Reid DeSpiegelaere, a junior history, English and political science major, noticed the lack of unity and engagement on campus. One night while talking with friends, he realized a lot of them had never been involved and felt disconnected from the university. As they talked, they bounced around ideas that snowballed into something greater: a plan to change the student body.
DeSpiegelaere is the president of NUnited, a new student organization started to create a more unified campus by revitalizing student involvement. To reach its objective, the group aims for a more inclusive and engaging political system by promoting transparency and accountability in student government. NUnited also plans to use events and the distribution of information to reach the greater student population.
DeSpiegelaere is a member of ASUN, and although he says ASUN means well, he believes students can get deterred from being a part of the university when they don’t see enough diversity represented or action being taken.
Part of why students feel deterred from student government may be student apathy. Look at last spring’s election results, for example: Out of 22,094 students enrolled in the spring semester, only 16.7 percent voted in the ASUN election. CONNECT won 25 of the senate seats, CONCRETE won one, HOPE AND CHANGE won one, and the remaining seats were filled by write-ins or independent candidates.
The 16.7 percent voter turnout was the best in 10 years, with turnout showing only 3.9 percent in 2007.
The lack of participation in the election could be because students don’t take government seriously, or they just don’t care. They don’t take it seriously and don’t care because they don’t see candidates caring enough. Apathy in student government can ultimately lead to apathy in the university, and that can lead students to the fringe of campus.
One of DeSpiegelaere’s hopes for NUnited is that it will help students reconnect with the university, which will hopefully help raise concern for student issues and campus involvement. He also hopes to help give students a voice on campus and make ASUN more positive among students.
To inform students of what ASUN is doing and foster a more positive relationship, NUnited aims to promote transparency by filming ASUN meetings and posting them on the Web. This allows students to see exactly what ASUN is doing for them, which may encourage people to become more engaged in student affairs.
I had the opportunity to visit an NUnited meeting last week and was impressed with the diversity represented. The group is made up of students from the marching band, Greek houses, dorms, off-campus, religious organizations, student government, various majors and a range of other organizations. NUnited members showcase what the group is about: bringing students together from all corners of campus.
For being such a new group, NUnited is well-organized and already planning a variety of events to promote its goals. The group’s first big event coming up is a music festival in front of the Union on Nov. 13. The purpose of the festival is to draw students together to enjoy some music and free food.
NUnited is not a group created in opposition to student government. Although some of its ideas may conflict with ASUN, NUnited is about student advocacy and supporting involvement on campus.
It surprises me that nothing like this has existed before. DeSpiegelaere is probably not the first student who has wanted to change the environment of the campus, but it appears he is the first to realize his resources and channel his potential into a group like NUnited.
I appreciate what NUnited is trying to accomplish. The group has the potential to bring students together and change the way they view their campus and their government. NUnited has some great goals and ambitions to unite students, and I look forward to supporting the group in its efforts in whatever way I can. Perhaps NUnited can be a springboard for encouraging other students who want to make a change to follow its lead and take the initiative.
Bethany Trueblood is a junior News Editorial major. Reach her at bethanytrueblood@dailynebraskan.com.
