2013 Executive Branch under review

The Executive Branch of student government recently released its October report, an account of the progress on the goals and projects of the administration thus far.

The editorial board has taken this opportunity to evaluate the successes and failures of the administration halfway through its term.

AFFORDABILITY – A

The fact that Lambden has secured a spot on the Finance and Infrastructure Committee of the Board of Governors is reason enough to offer applause. However, Executive Branch officers have also taken a strong stance against increases in fees originating from nighttime parking to athletics.

The creation of the director of state and external relations position will also help to keep an education at UNC affordable. This position will allow students a voice at a level of politics that was previously left vacant. By talking and making connections with representatives, the director will be able to give a face to the students these representatives are passing laws about.

TRANSPARENCY – *B *

EBO has made an effort to connect with students, continuing the past administrations’ office hours in the Pit in order to make itself visible. The email to the UNC community updating everyone on the latest progress in the sexual assault issue was also an effective way to keep students in the loop.Thus far, the administration has also been relatively open with the media.

Unfortunately, the average student doesn’t know what EBO is actually doing on a day-to-day basis. They’ve promised a new, student-friendly website, but aside from that, there are few platforms on which students can track their progress.

BOG/BOT – A

At a time when the BOG has been implementing less-than-popular policies, EBO has been making moves to ensure that students are at least involved in future discussions. Creating the position of director of state and external affairs as a lobbyist and advocate for the student voice before the BOG has been instrumental.

Addtitionally, Lambden’s move within the Board of Trustees to the Finance and Infrastructure Committee as a voting member and shuffling of student representatives onto other committees has been and will continue to be crucial in upcoming discussions concerning the student body.

SEXUAL ASSAULT REFORM – B

Lambden has done well in demonstrating leadership in his role on the Sexual Assault Task Force and aiding in the University’s search for a permanent Title IX coordinator. The creation of the campus conversations website is a significant achievement. However, much of the progress made in terms of the sexual assault forums available to all students has been too little, too late. Two forums aren’t enough for such a large-scale issue. The Lambden administration’s ability to reach Greeks and other target groups discussed in the October report has been insufficient, if not totally absent. Forum attendees should not consist of a relatively small number of students who are probably already part of the discussion.

TOWN AND GOWN – C-

EBO should seek a much stronger relationship with town leaders and meet more often to discuss solutions — not problems. Mayor Kleinschmidt has expressed frustration with EBO’s accessibility after requesting a meeting with Lambden over the summer. Eventually, a reply came that staff members would meet with the mayor. Additionally, round-table discussions were hosted about campus safety with members of the police department, but simply discussing issues once will not solve any of the problems facing the town.

EBO should also seek collaboration with communities particularly affected by the University, such as Northside residents.

SPECIAL PROJECTS – B-

The administration made a lot of promises, but not all of these projects have been given the right amount of attention. The administration has been proactive in starting to create E-Serve Harmony, putting a good effort into First Year Focus and communicating well with other schools such as Virginia Tech and Wake Forest in seeking advice in how to make UNC a safer campus.

However, EBO has yet to make good on its promises to increase the wellness part of LFIT classes, and should also be further than the beginning processes of setting up meetings with DPS, ITS and University Relations to work on the safety.unc.edu project that was a large part of its safety platform.

STUDENT REPRESENTATION – A-

EBO successfully followed through on its platform goal of giving freshmen an opportunity to be represented in student government through the First Year Focus Council. Another positive point was how EBO followed up on platform goals of giving graduate students a standing report to the BOT, effectively giving all students an opportunity to address concerns.

On the other hand, platform promises to add a Greek liaison to student government were substituted for the existing Greek Affairs Council, which was established to collaborate efforts between student government and the Greek system.