A few nights ago we all got an email from Bryan King to fill out the SBA survey. I thought, “great, a chance to voice my concerns about the SBA.” But the survey didn’t quite address my concerns, because they are not about the lines for alcohol being too long at Barrister’s Ball, but they are more serious, and go to the very root of the SBA’s purpose.
What I’m talking about is elections. I was very disappointed by how SBA elections were run. There was less discussion of substantive issues than there was during my high school government elections. The SBA has proven itself to be a great social events planning association. Barrister’s Ball, bar reviews, thirsty Thursdays, the Halloween festivities—they were all great events. However, the SBA has not been successful in working for students needs with the administration.
For example the SBA did not inform the student body about drastic changes to the LRW program until after the faculty had voted to change LRW to a graded class. Can any other student here claim that they’ve ever taken 15 graded credits in a semester? Let alone two? The SBA dropped the ball on alerting the student body of a change that affects incoming students (who the SBA will represent next year), and failed to mobilize them to show the faculty how bad of an idea many students think the change is. It also was unable to convince the faculty on its own that it was a bad choice.
Candidates could have been running on platforms that include changes to exam scheduling, more student voice in faculty decisions that affect students, or longer add/drop periods. They could have even campaigned on improvements in social events, like a larger variety of bars for bar review, or larger bar tabs. Honestly, there are dozens of substantive ideas, both social and administrative issues that could have been mentioned in campaigns. But there was almost no substance in the campaign statements. I don’t write this to malign the candidates. They were just operating in the existing system, which barely presents them a forum to present their ideas.
But I think we can do better. There could be meet the candidate events, a forum where candidates discuss ideas and the students they represent have the chance to question their positions. Will my new representatives stand up for LGBT interests in the school? Will they support self-scheduled exams? Are they going to push the administration to make life easier for 1Ls when possible? Are they teetotalers? I have no idea, because there was never a way to find out.
–Navah Spero
Navahs: “Can I get an ‘Amen!?'”
Hamilton: “Amen!”
The candidates actually DID run on substantive platforms, which you can see here: http://gwsba.com/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=177 – Bryan included this link in several of his emails about the upcoming elections so that people COULD read about the platforms. A lot of students forget that the SBA has a very informative website and the statement on the LRW policy change was actually posted to this page to inform students. The LRW example is a poor one, I know of plenty of students who say that the change is a positive one – or don’t even care about it, since it doesn’t affect our class at all. But that’s another issue.
My main point is, if anyone had a problem with the candidates voicing their ideas for change, they should take it up with the candidates themselves who spoke before classes during their campaigning and were responsible for getting their message out there. Additionally, the SBA is great at communicating with the administration – apparently, they just need to be better at letting the students know that…
I tried to post essentially the same thing as “R,” but apparently I was blocked or something. It wouldn’t let me post.
The short summary:
1. There were substantive platforms.
2. The LRW issue was discussed pretty intensely, particularly last year. (Of course, that was when you weren’t here–another problem with only having 1Ls on this blog.)
For the record, a poll revealed that many people WANTED the class to be graded. So much work goes into it already, why not get a few GPA points out of it?
3. As for this:
“Will my new representatives stand up for LGBT interests in the school? Will they support self-scheduled exams? Are they going to push the administration to make life easier for 1Ls when possible? Are they teetotalers?”
a. Is there some kind of enormous LGBT problem that I’m not aware of?
b. Self-scheduled exams were REALLY pushed for the past 2 years. Maybe they wanted to take a year off and focus on other things.
c. Any easier life for 1Ls? Please. 1L year is not difficult. I understand it FEELS like it is, but half of that is self-generated paranoia, and the administration can do little about that. Wait until you get to 2L year (where you will work until you pass out, unless your grades have already killed hopes of your success) or your 3L year (where you’re fighting for jobs in the REAL world.)
d. …Who cares if they’re teetotalers?
R.-
I read the candidate statements before I voted, and am not here to comment on them individually. My point is only that the statements combined with a one minute introduction before class is not enough. While the statements did present certain substantive issues, they gave students no way to follow up and find out more about the candidates. The statements are a limited forum for this type of decision. I don’t think the SBA is hugely off the mark here, I just think it can do better. For example, the SBA could sponsor a candidate Thirsty Thurs, or a candidate panel or, make the email addresses of the candidates available so we can ask questions. Democracy only works when information is readily available, and that is lacking here.
In terms of LRW, I know many students who think the change is an awful one, but the point is that regardless of which side of the issue we come out on, our opinion should be heard and the SBA should protect the interests of incoming 1Ls as much as it protects the interests of current students
Turning to Just Curious-
Regarding your first point, see my response to R.
I assume that you are an upper level law student here, and I know you don’t like that the blog only has 1Ls. My only response to you is to join the blog yourself and establish an upperclass representative. At the very least, please stop complaining that there are only 1Ls on the blog if there’s a way that you can change that.
I did not know that a poll was taken last year, and the results are surprising to me, since most 1Ls I know think the change is not a good idea. I don’t claim to know everything about the topic, I can only tell you that I felt under-informed and unrepresented regarding this issue.
In terms of your 3rd point, those questions were just examples, and the teetotaler question was a joke. Sorry you didn’t think it was funny. There are current LGBT issues at this school, such as the on campus presence this past fall of the military as recruiters despite GW’s commitment to a non-discrimination policy. Lambda has worked with the SBA and the administration to make sure this doesn’t continue, and I would like an SBA that supports Lambda on this issue. Again, this is just one example of an issue that could be discussed.
Lastly, if you think that the administration couldn’t make life easier for 1Ls then you simply weren’t paying attention during your 1L year or your 1L year was very different. Even if law school is only hard because, as you state in a condescending tone, that it is the result of some delusional group-generated paranoia, that doesn’t mean its not real in the minds of most 1Ls, the place that counts for this issue. There are two areas off of the top of my head where the administration could make life easier for 1Ls: Distributing more information about Financial aid and not scheduling 1L registration four days after the appellate brief is due.
Just Curious–
You said:
“Any easier life for 1Ls? Please. 1L year is not difficult. I understand it FEELS like it is, but half of that is self-generated paranoia, and the administration can do little about that. Wait until you get to 2L year (where you will work until you pass out, unless your grades have already killed hopes of your success) or your 3L year (where you’re fighting for jobs in the REAL world.)”
I don’t understand you. 1Ls are part of your school community, yet you sound like you have no respect for us. Why so condescending? You say that 2L year is really really hard. Does that mean 1L year is not difficult? You mention “fighting for jobs in the REAL world.” Why do you assume that we haven’t done that already? You say the difficulty of 1L year is the result of “self-generated paranoia.” What have you said to make us think our fears are unfounded? (In fact, you feed into the paranoid voice by saying that our grades can kill our hopes of success.) If our fears are not unfounded, then are we really paranoid, or just reasonable?
You just sound really bitter. I’m sorry if you didn’t have a great experience in law school, but there’s no reason to take it out on us. What are you going to do next–tell little kids there’s no Santa Claus?
navahs:
I reread what I wrote before and realized that it came off a lot more contentious than I intended – I wanted to point out that the SBA does publish information, just not in a forum where a lot of us happen to frequent. The SBA also opposed the LRW change for the very reason that you stated, they believed it didn’t protect the interests of incoming students. But, you’re right, they could have publicized the debate more among 1L students in particular, as they have the most recent contact with the program. I also agree with you that it would be a great idea to sponsor a panel or at least give students the opportunity to ask questions in a formal setting rather than ambushing them in the hard lounge or whatnot. When we take our own political process seriously, we can effect the changes that mean the most to our ourselves and our community.
Navahs & Sai:
Please don’t be so grumpy because a 2/3L disagreed with you. That’s actually one of the best parts of a blog–the disagreements, the discussion, the petty name-calling. (Ok, maybe not that last one.)
I think “Just” has a point that a few (if not many) of the things you’ve found frustrating have actually been addressed in the past. With the possible exception of the last part (about “real” jobs), that’s not really condescending. In fact, in a rather snarky way, “Just” is giving you the upperclassman perspective you’re asking for. (Though, I’ll grant you only via the comments.)
Have you talked with anyone in the administration about your concerns? Some of them are pretty helpful. (Some of them are NOT.) It might be worth a try, if you’d really like to get things moving.
P.S. Isn’t military recruiting required by the Solomon Amendment? (I know, GWU could decline federal funding, but how realistic is that?)
-Douche
Douche has a point.
Number one, GW was the first school who chose to be a named party to Rumsfeild v. FAIR in which universities opposed having to allow military recruiters. To this day, JAG has a nasty posting up at all GW job fairs that say they discriminate against gays and lesbians.
Number two, GW’s SBA is generally pretty mindful of GLBTQ concerns. In fact, I would argue it is VERY supportive. Perhaps the GLBTQ group just happens to be somewhat inactive this year than last, but that is based on student involvement. Even if they are less active than last year, there are also a couple other groups which expressly support GLBTQ issues, i.e. Feminist Forum, GW Law ACLU and some others.
Which brings me to point number three…. as a whole, the current 1L class has been EXTREMELY uninvolved in student groups. While I don’t know the personal involvement of those complaining on this blog, I do know that it is very easy to sit back and poke holes in what your fellow students are doing.
It is much, MUCH harder to get up and do something yourself. If you want GLBTQ issues to be better represented, get out and put some time in. No one is stopping you. You’ll find it is very easy to get involved in existing student groups or even to start one yourself. Anyone can organize a panel, a fundraiser or some other event. Come to think of it… if you are TRULY concerned about something within the law school, you can run for a position or apply for a non-elected position.
In short, if you don’t like what you see… stop complaining and GO FIX IT.
I am aware there are typos in that last post… it doesn’t change the point being made.
I think I need to step in here and defend the SBA, of which I am an active member. We were only alerted to the LRW changes when they had basically already happened. The next morning I sent and email asking for feedback from Section 12, and all feedback I got I passed onto Bryan King. Bryan also promptly wrote a letter to the administration relating the concerns of the student body over the proposed changes. The situation was one of the administration not listening to the SBA, rather than one of the SBA not listening to the student body. We were very disappointed in the way the LRW decision was handled, and we expressed such concern.
As for the contention that the SBA only plans parties, that is an extremely unfair assessment. I understand it might seem like that as Halloween and Barristers are when we are most visible, however, we work hard and do a lot for the school. For example, this year we passed legislation that will affect the funding for student groups who invite employers who discriminate based on sexual orientation. We have approved new student organizations, and on the finance committee we have helped to fund events such as ELA’s footprint week, multiple student panels, and trips sending students to represent GW at various conventions around the country. This year we were also finally able to secure that all of the money law students pay into the student activities fund will be returned to the law school so that we will be able to grant increased amounts to student organizations. As for issues such as flexible exam schedules, we have been and continue to push the administration to change the exam policy. It is an uphill battle but we will not give up on it, so please don’t just assume that we are not trying. The same goes for the computing policy which doesn’t supprt Vista or Macs. Change doesn’t occur over night.
Each year our SBA is honored by the ABA for how hard we work for this law school, and there is a reason for that. My colleagues and I have logged many hours voting in legislation, discussing the best allocations of the moneys at our disposal, and working on seemingly more trivial matters like getting our classmates new locker assignments, or getting hot water finally installed in the hard lounge. And on top of it all, we have thrown some kick ass parties which bring the population together and enhance the sense of community that I know we all value so much.
BDU and Just Curious:
You both have said that the 1L’s are not very involved in student groups. Could you clarify on that statement? Is that a comparison to past years, just your feeling in general, what you’ve heard or what you’ve seen? I have a differing opinion, but that’s because I go from what I’ve seen and no one has substantially shown proof to the contrary. I’d love to know more. Thanks.
This is not the first time someone has said that the 1L class is “extremely uninvolved” in student groups. Can someone please clarify what that means? What kind of involvement have you seen in the past, what are the 1Ls delivering, and how do the two differ? Since (as people never tire of pointing out) we weren’t here before, it’s really hard for us to refute statements like that without more details. I can only speak for myself, and though I am not involved in SBA or student organizations, I did decide to get a bunch of people together to start a blog and keep it going, which is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Other than that I focus on my schoolwork, and I am totally OK with that.
Not everyone wants to be part of the SBA. I don’t. That’s why I elected a Senator last year and elected officers this year. Just like in any election, you make yourself part of the political process by voting. You shouldn’t have to run for office to reserve your right to say what you think. Goodness knows I’m not running for US President and I do my fair share of complaining about that.
I’m sure (since I’m sitting with a member of the SBA right now) that the SBA does more than just plan parties. But (as R. said above) maybe the other stuff just isn’t being communicated to the student body as effectively where Bar Review is being held.
Finally, in response to Douche’s comment:
“I think “Just” has a point that a few (if not many) of the things you’ve found frustrating have actually been addressed in the past. With the possible exception of the last part (about “real” jobs), that’s not really condescending. In fact, in a rather snarky way, “Just” is giving you the upperclassman perspective you’re asking for. (Though, I’ll grant you only via the comments.)”
Just Curious was a 1L at one point too. If he or she really wants to give an honest account of his law school experience, including the myths of “self-generated paranoia” and the realities of 2L and 3L years, we would be happy to have it. That would actually be useful. But implying that all 1Ls (a) are subject to unfounded paranoid delusions; (b) don’t know the meaning of working hard; and (c) have no right to complain is at least a little condescending, especially because this isn’t the first time that Just Curious has complained that this blog only presents the 1L perspective. If I’m grumpy, that’s why.
And I agree that Just Curious’ post wasn’t completely condescending, but they have posted before (in a rather “snarky” manner) complaining about the lack of 1Ls, to which I would quote BDU and say “if you don’t like what you see… stop complaining and GO FIX IT.”
It may be that tone is hard to distinguish on the internet, but, Just Curious, you come across as rather pretentious. While it may not be the most difficult thing to ever happen and is dramatized at times, 1L year is difficult. Unless you came from a school or job that worked you as intensely as law school does, the acclimation is not an easy one. And Navah never said anything about 1L being more difficult than 2/3L, that was your own supposition. Also, I’m not sure about your class, but there are a significant number of us who didn’t come straight from undergrad and instead held full-time jobs so try not to assume that we’re all 22 year old, fresh faced kids who’ve never job searched before.
The rest, I more or less agree with.
Douche and BDU – I agree that GW supports LGBT interests. Its one of the things that I really value about GW. My comment was not a reference to the need for improvement, but rather that it’s important to me as an individual voter to know that my candidate supports LGBT interests in the school. The point is that there was no way to find this information out, just like there’s no way to find out most of the candidates opinions about important issues. Each student has things that are important to them, and my point was not that GW is faulty in some way on LGBT issues, but that we can make our elections more meaningful by making our electorate more informed.
ebwestbrook – Thank you for those comments. I am aware that the SBA does things that are more substantive than party planning, and I’m glad that you provided details on some of the substantive issues that you deal with. In general, I think the student body wants more communication about substantive issues from the SBA. Your post is testimony to why we’re the best SBA in the country, and I think we should keep striving for improvement in order to stay the best SBA in the country.