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Members of ASOSU executive branch: More support needed from The Daily Barometer
ASOSU Executive Branch
Issue date: 5/7/09 Section: Forum
Disclaimer: This letter does not represent the official opinion of ASOSU as an organization, but the shared feelings of several members of the Executive Branch.
Over the past several weeks, we have been disheartened by The Daily Barometer's coverage of ASOSU. While we welcome constructive criticism from all students whom we strive to represent, we have significant misgivings about the recent approach that this publication has taken.
ASOSU is all too familiar with the dire nature of the collective crisis we face. Students should know the university is facing massive budget cuts, fall tuition increases are inevitable, course sections will likely be restricted, key decisions are being made about the future of the Bacc Core, and outside organizations are being given land on our campus to build new buildings that will not have classrooms. Our ability to earn a degree is at stake, and the students have a right to know.
You should also know that the people working in your student government are deeply committed to representing your interests in each of these conversations, and our effectiveness is intrinsically linked to our connections with the student body. ASOSU is ultimately responsible for cultivating these ties, but we also rely on external resources for outreach. As the most widely distributed media outlet on campus, The Daily Barometer provides an opportunity to connect to our constituents. In recent weeks, however, this publication has instead chosen to promote an adversarial relationship between the student body and its representative government.
This is a dangerous time to focus energy on pitting students against students. The only people who benefit from this adversarial division are those who do not have our best interests in mind. Now, more than ever, we need to build community if we hope to address the shared obstacles ahead. A strong, free press is essential to the democratic process, and feedback is imperative if we are to grow as an ethical organization. We believe, however, that transparency and accountability can be achieved without generating antagonism, and that the most productive criticism is solution-oriented and based in reasoned evidence.
We encourage The Daily Barometer to re-evaluate its recent approach to publicizing the efforts of ASOSU. In order to effectively advocate on behalf of your interests, we truly need the support of our student newspaper.
Heather Bennett, Elizabeth Hearing, Paul Heim, Peter Nguyen, DeeDee Overholser, Jake Porter, Shayna Rogers, Katie Stebbins, and Meagan Thomas are members of the ASOSU Executive Branch at Oregon State University.
Over the past several weeks, we have been disheartened by The Daily Barometer's coverage of ASOSU. While we welcome constructive criticism from all students whom we strive to represent, we have significant misgivings about the recent approach that this publication has taken.
ASOSU is all too familiar with the dire nature of the collective crisis we face. Students should know the university is facing massive budget cuts, fall tuition increases are inevitable, course sections will likely be restricted, key decisions are being made about the future of the Bacc Core, and outside organizations are being given land on our campus to build new buildings that will not have classrooms. Our ability to earn a degree is at stake, and the students have a right to know.
You should also know that the people working in your student government are deeply committed to representing your interests in each of these conversations, and our effectiveness is intrinsically linked to our connections with the student body. ASOSU is ultimately responsible for cultivating these ties, but we also rely on external resources for outreach. As the most widely distributed media outlet on campus, The Daily Barometer provides an opportunity to connect to our constituents. In recent weeks, however, this publication has instead chosen to promote an adversarial relationship between the student body and its representative government.
This is a dangerous time to focus energy on pitting students against students. The only people who benefit from this adversarial division are those who do not have our best interests in mind. Now, more than ever, we need to build community if we hope to address the shared obstacles ahead. A strong, free press is essential to the democratic process, and feedback is imperative if we are to grow as an ethical organization. We believe, however, that transparency and accountability can be achieved without generating antagonism, and that the most productive criticism is solution-oriented and based in reasoned evidence.
We encourage The Daily Barometer to re-evaluate its recent approach to publicizing the efforts of ASOSU. In order to effectively advocate on behalf of your interests, we truly need the support of our student newspaper.
Heather Bennett, Elizabeth Hearing, Paul Heim, Peter Nguyen, DeeDee Overholser, Jake Porter, Shayna Rogers, Katie Stebbins, and Meagan Thomas are members of the ASOSU Executive Branch at Oregon State University.
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