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USC public forum draws a small crowd
Students complain about lack of transparency then do not attend event to keep them informed
Democracy at work. The two co-leaders of Iris: Arts and Literature ask for funds for open mic night.
November 5, 2016
After many complaints about lack of transparency, students had the chance to see how Upper School Council functioned on Oct. 25, but unfortunately very few people took hold of that chance .
In officer elections last year a central topic to the candidates speeches was how USC would be more open about meetings. After the speeches students discussed what made each candidate good. Often times the more the candidates spoke about making the process more transparent were seen favorably. It was apparent that students cared what USC was doing.
Cut to a year later, now the new USC has been together for awhile and had already started to make impact on things around the school. With the thought of giving students what they wanted in mind, USC plans a public forum. Finally an opportunity for students to see the internal process of USC. The event was well advertised with announcements in the Blue Sheet and an email going out to everybody announcing what it was and the date.
The event took place in the Lecture Room. Each member of USC sat grouped together with their backs to chalk board facing rows of desks. Beside USC about five other students sit in the room. These are the only people who showed up to the forum. Two of the students in the room are here on USC business, asking for event funds.
The meeting started by addressing the students questions. This part was very brief as not many students meant not many questions. The lack of students who showed up was disappointing as this is important to daily life at school.
One complaint the students might have is that the process is boring, but really it is very interesting to see theses plans unfold. Plans that include spaces that students use everyday, or how funds get distributed to different events. To see how students interact with teachers to achieve goals is a process many students could benefit from.
Many students said that they were interested in what USC did, but few showed up to actually learn. USC controls a lot of very important aspects of daily student life. USC has offered more transparency but received little response. The problem isn’t that USC is transparent enough, it’s that students are taking enough interest. Students need to take some time to learn what USC does, and how they can get USC to help SPA become a much better place.
