A Confident Student Government Must Steward Its Power Responsibly

Last semester, The Student Government Association (SGA) at UT-Tyler sent a formal letter to the executive director of the library and declared its support for the building returning to its pre-COVID-19 operating hours. 

This letter came after some students complained to SGA that the university’s COVID-19 hours prevented study groups from having a suitable location to study late at night. 

During SGA’s preliminary research into the possibility of longer library hours, the library director advised student government against the idea due to her concern that increased student interaction might raise the risk a COVID-19 outbreak.

In the end, student government agreed with the students’ request for longer hours and subsequently sent a letter to the director in support of extended hours. 

So why does this matter? It matters because SGA’s willingness to go against the advice of a sitting administrator reveals a greater propensity within this class of members to operate independently of the administration. 

You see, in prior years, student government members were usually timid to contradict an administrator, but this year’s class does not seem to have this same trait. 

Moreover, it is also matters because this seems to be the start of something new in SGA. After watching student government in the fall semester and after seeing some members become increasingly confident in their role, I foresee campus will see a growingly independent student government in the spring semester. 

So, if the student government becomes more independent, then what will this mean for UT-Tyler's culture? 

The way I see it, SGA’s independence could develop in at least two ways. On one hand, could keep its focus on practical concerns facing the student body. That is, it could focus on issues with online exam proctoring software, campus meals or even the quality of student housing. These types of priorities would be the concerns of a level-headed student government. 

However, on the other hand, SGA could reveal some real radicals among its members and turn its attention to the advance of destructive ideology and to the facilitation of social revolution. That is, it could advocate for the removal of historical campus monuments, for the university to rename campus buildings or to segregate campus study zones and activities based on race--all of which other student governments have already done across the country. These are the two possible directions I see student government going in the coming semester. 

So what would this mean? If the student government became an advocate for destructive idealogy, for the idea that UT-Tyler is a symbol of white Europeans' who plundered and oppressed minorities to attain its wealth and success in Western society, then this action would destroy trust among race groups on campus. This act would encourage races to retreat to their "tribes" and to deeply distrust one another at the threat of a race and culture war. SGA would destroy tolerance if it introduces this attitude on the campus, and patriots' mostly peaceful culture along with it. 

So I hope SGA does not do this. Student government has tremendous influence over campus culture. It is important that its members remember to stewards its institution responsibly, because as Uncle Ben said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” 

I hope that student government avoids social revolution this spring and steward their newfound confidence responsibly.