Spring Break
Reality about ASOSU
Sara Gwin
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Forum
We were told to trust their decisions with no explanation and that we would learn to see that they were right. But I'm still waiting. They've made mistakes; there is no doubt about that. Mistakes are human and inevitable, but accepting responsibility and being accountable for one's actions is what builds trust, not unequivocal demands. Their actions have alienated and hurt people inside and outside of the organization, yet they act like as if they burn one bridge and they just have to build another one in a different direction for someone else.
Recently it came out that this administration refused to pay for an annual conference on sexual assault because there wasn't room in the budget. After spending over $50,000 for voter registration and $40,000 to update the ASOSU website that no one ever looks at, I'm surprised they couldn't allot some money to gain education and resources for sexual assault, which affects one in four women on college campuses. And I bet when spring rolls around, the Federal Affairs D.C. trip will still be on, costing thousands of dollars.
I was even more disheartened to learn that the Health and Wellness Coordinator position (originally Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator and Public Health Promotion Coordinator) who takes the main role in putting together Take Back the Night, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and events and programs to prevent sexual assault, was changed to a position solely about health. Sexual assault prevention is now in the hands of the Director of Women's Affairs, who will have to spend several months planning and executing those big events instead of playing a supportive role that meant other projects could be worked on during the year.
The important part about having a coordinator dealing with the issue of sexual assault is that we were moving away from focusing on it as a women's issue to being everybody's issue as well as a health issue because of the physical and psychological problems that can occur for the survivor. While the administration may not have realized the impact of its actions, many of the issues that have come up could have been remedied had it consulted the people within these positions.
There was so much hope surrounding their election this year. Alas, that hope has been tarnished by a series of irreconcilable decisions. For the sake of the students, I hope they look outside of their own agendas to do what's best for the OSU community.
Recently it came out that this administration refused to pay for an annual conference on sexual assault because there wasn't room in the budget. After spending over $50,000 for voter registration and $40,000 to update the ASOSU website that no one ever looks at, I'm surprised they couldn't allot some money to gain education and resources for sexual assault, which affects one in four women on college campuses. And I bet when spring rolls around, the Federal Affairs D.C. trip will still be on, costing thousands of dollars.
I was even more disheartened to learn that the Health and Wellness Coordinator position (originally Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator and Public Health Promotion Coordinator) who takes the main role in putting together Take Back the Night, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and events and programs to prevent sexual assault, was changed to a position solely about health. Sexual assault prevention is now in the hands of the Director of Women's Affairs, who will have to spend several months planning and executing those big events instead of playing a supportive role that meant other projects could be worked on during the year.
The important part about having a coordinator dealing with the issue of sexual assault is that we were moving away from focusing on it as a women's issue to being everybody's issue as well as a health issue because of the physical and psychological problems that can occur for the survivor. While the administration may not have realized the impact of its actions, many of the issues that have come up could have been remedied had it consulted the people within these positions.
There was so much hope surrounding their election this year. Alas, that hope has been tarnished by a series of irreconcilable decisions. For the sake of the students, I hope they look outside of their own agendas to do what's best for the OSU community.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
m
posted 10/07/08 @ 9:12 PM PST
Sara,
Thank you for writing this column. I have been very frustrated with the the things that have happened at ASOSU ever since the new administration was elected. (Continued…)
Post a Comment
Comments by registered users are approved by default.