TO THE EDITOR:
Why should UNC leave the Association of Student Governments? Advocates say ASG wastes money and time, while doing very little advocacy. I am not here to argue against these charges — in fact, ASG has numerous flaws. But leaving the association will not fix any of these problems while simultaneously maintaining students’ presence on the state level.
If UNC left ASG, we would no longer have a voice on the Board of Governors. There is absolutely no guarantee we can create an alternative association if we leave. Statewide advocacy is not something we should take “a leap of faith” for. In all likelihood, the BOG will never allow us to leave or create an alternative association with the same power as ASG. Students do not wield the power in this situation, and further talk of leaving only causes BOG members to think of us as infantile. Threatening to leave when we do not get our way is the very definition of immature!
The onus of reform, then, is on UNC’s delegation. If they cannot convince other delegates that reform is needed, either the reforms are not persuasive enough or the delegates need to put more effort into ASG.
Full disclosure: I have never been to an ASG meeting, but I know ASG has the potential to do amazing things. It is the only organization with a non-appointed seat on the BOG. University faculty do not even have a seat on the Board. By voting “yes” this Friday, you will in effect take away the most powerful tool students have for advocacy — our voice.
Austin Root ’15
Student Congress
