To the editor:
I’m afraid that I’m going to have to take issue with John Jennings’ recent column about UOSA published by The Oklahoma Daily on election day.
I do not disagree with the idea that some student leaders are trying to make significant changes on campus.
However, unfortunately, there are a large number of people in student government who never speak at a single meeting or author a single resolution.
For some, it really is less about making a difference on campus than it is about holding a succession of increasingly important officer positions to round out their resumes.
And, these people leave UOSA having never really picked a fight with the administration or tried to change anything.
I have never understood that. I’ve always thought that, if you sought a leadership position, you should have a shopping list of at least 10 major things on campus that you would change tomorrow if you could.
And, I’m really concerned when student leaders try to project this image that everything is kosher and that nothing needs to be done differently, when they’re satisfied that the most student government can do is add sidewalks, bike racks and condom machines.
There are a lot of things that need to be changed.
For starters, why is OU spending millions to buy an old monastery in Italy when academic programs are being cut?
Why do student leaders accept the assertion that dead week will not come up again for five years?
Why isn’t sexual orientation included in OU’s non-discrimination statement?
Why doesn’t OU have a code of professional conduct and a formal professional misconduct system?
Why is student information sold to credit card companies for $10 million, and where does this money go?
Why isn’t there a night program at the law school?
Why isn’t there any input in campus planning and capital expenditures?
Why is there no transparency in the university foundation or in various presidential initiatives?
Why isn’t there a graduate student union?
Why don’t OU’s stakeholders have a say in big decisions through a university community council?
These are all important issues that need to be addressed by student government. Yet, for some reason, everyone seems content with the “power” to dole out money to student organizations and pick out the color of recycling bins on campus.
I would encourage student leaders not to buy into this mindset.
Stop pretending that everything is perfect. Acknowledge that there is a lot more that can be done.
Start recruiting people to get involved in student government rather than keeping elections a secret or imposing new qualifications to run. Be more open to change.
And, if the election is fouled up, don’t be afraid to fire the election chair, extend the deadline and publicize the election process.
Don’t be content with things as they are. You need to set your sights higher and insist upon a seat at the table where the big decisions are made. The idea of “shared governance” is a mainstream concept at most prominent research institutions in the United States.
It’s time we had that here.
Nicholas Harrison
JD/MBA student
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"Why is student information sold to credit card companies for $10 million, and where does this money go?"
Can we get some more information about that?
definitely the best article that has been written about this mess. thank you.
So so true. UOSA is such a great program... on paper.
In reality, it's a tool for students to use on their resumes. That's it. Some go into it with the right mind and zeal, but as a whole its just a glamour title.
I remember attending a student congress meeting for a class my sophomore year. It consisted of funding student organizations and all you can eat pizza. The most controversial issue raised was parking... I'll let you guess how far they got on that...
Re: Sale of Student Information to Credit Card Companies
The University's current contract with Bank of America is a matter of public record. You can obtain a copy of it through the University's Open Records Office in the NEL Building.
Originally, the program was set-up by the last Vice President of Student Affairs as a way to generate some additional funds for student activities. The institution partnered with a local bank that they could influence to ensure that certain practices were followed and that students were not exploited.
However, the program was later taken away from Student Affairs because the administration decided that they could make a lot more money. The local bank was pushed aside and it was "shopped out" to nationwide chains.
The current contract is with Bank of America. It was structured with a myriad of fees and royalties to be paid out depending upon how much money Bank of America made. However, the minimum payout is $10 million. And, it is my understanding that this money disappears into some discretionary fund.
There has been a lot of criticism from people across the state about this practice. UCO banned all credit cards on its campus after a student committed suicide in the dorms over credit card debt and the issue recieved nationwide media attention. A study was conducted by the Council of Student Affairs at OU -- highlighting the detrimental effects on students targeted by credit card companies. And, several state legislators have introduced legislation trying to end the practice.
Following this criticism, the State Regents pointedly asked colleges about credit card solicitation on campus. They were told that it was a way to introduce students to credit cards in a safe environment and that the institutions handled these programs very carefully to ensure that the experience helped teach students financial literacy. The State Regents then asked colleges specifically what programs they had in place to teach students financial literacy. And, not being satisfied with the answers they received, they have suggested adding a financial literacy requirement to the core curriculum.
OU continues to oppose anything which would restrict its ability to enter into these contracts with credit card companies -- the administration having been quoted in various media outlets on this issue. And, the proposal to add a financial literacy requirement has run into a myriad of issues.
Thank you, John Jennings needs to wake up along with all of UOSA!!!!! We've got to do something. What would UOSA do? OH NOTHING. That needs to change, OU has so much potential, yet it can't be unleashed unless students back it up.
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