By passing a resolution reaffirming its support for gender neutral housing, the WSA continued its tradition of supporting student issues. The resolution indicates that the WSA will work with the Administration in hopes of re-instating gender neutral housing for the Class of 2009. Unfortunately, WSA resolutions have a tradition of being ignored by the Administration, especially when they pertain to important issues. In 2002, shortly after the chalking moratorium was instated, President Bennet repeatedly rejected a WSA resolution in support of chalking. Likewise, an additional resolution in favor of continued green energy use has yet to be seriously acknowledged by the Administration. Given the misunderstandings that led to the elimination of gender neutral frosh housing, it appears likely that the Administration will ignore this resolution as well despite a strongly-worded, clear and explicit resolution by the WSA.
The Administration needs to acknowledge the WSA for what it is: the voice of the student body and the link between students and the Administration. But this link is meaningless when the Administration fails to consider WSA demands, as it too often does. The Administration should start respecting the WSA as an invaluable institution of self-governance and student representation.
At the same time, the WSA should consider re-evaluating its methods of communicating with the Administration. If resolutions have proven to be occasionally ineffective, a new direction is vital for success. To strengthen its message, the WSA should increase efforts to make its message heard by outside media interests and alumni. Support from these groups could bolster the cause, as would more extensive meetings with the Administration and trustees. If the WSA were more effective at accomplishing its goals, students would likely view it as a more worthwhile means for change, instead of a well-intentioned but ultimately ignored institution. Consequently, voter turnout for the WSA elections, as well as student participation, would increase.
Fewer than eight months remain for gender neutral housing to be a part of frosh year for the Class of 2009. If nothing results from the resolution, the Administration will have further eroded student confidence in their University representatives and the WSA will have further proven its impotence.
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