TO THE EDITOR:
“Quick everyone, look busy!” That’s the notion behind Association of Student Governments’ new task force, and it’s embarrassing that The Daily Tar Heel has fallen for it.
Thursday’s editorial claimed that ASG has been ineffective for years, but the reality is that it was doing just fine until current president Atul Bhula took over in 2010.
In fact, in the two years before he assumed office, ASG set 40-year attendance records, lowered stipends and successfully fought tuition hikes, saving students millions of dollars across the UNC system.
The problem is vision. If the group’s leader doesn’t have one, ASG will fall flat on its face, year after year.
However, it could still be useful. Mary Cooper and other members of the task force should fix the problem once and for all.
They need to create a system that finds better leaders and gives them more time to devote to representing students. Set up the top job like a fellowship for graduates, and make the position more competitive.
Collaboration between UNC-system schools has vast potential, and ASG’s seat on the Board of Governors is an invaluable resource to students that should not be neglected because of petty politics.
I urge Mary Cooper and the task force at large to rise to the occasion on the behalf of students at UNC and across the state.
