I am not sure who is on this list, but I am hoping that the senators who
voted last night at some point read this.

I had a lot of thoughts as the evening went on last night. I listened to
the discussion, I hear and understood why people wanted to vote yes and
why people wanted to vote no. I was left confused. In my mind it
paralleled something that took place a little over a month ago. For me
the Senate was just a smaller scale of the many other "votes" which have
taken place, proposals which have been presented and discussions which
have been circular.

I was sitting their wondering, who on this Senate represents me, my
views. Granted, I have shared them with many people, but of course,
people with other "individual" opinions have disagreed, which I can
understand. But then I asked myself many questions about representation.
I am
confused. Many people will comment that the Senate has been voted in by
students....What students? How many students? Do students even know
your platforms and what you stand for?

These questions are all so confusing for me. Due to the apathy of many,
yes many, students, the Senate cannont be representative. Students, the
majority do not share with you what they want, how they want you to vote.
Which leads me to feel that the way people voted was based within their
own personal agendas, philosophies, etc... Just a thought.

Finally, just a question: Did anyone else out there see last night as
just a reinactment of what has happened at other meetings (Town, Faculty
Senate, etc)? I would love to hear how people saw and felt after seeing
and hearing last nights discussion.

It is funny how we think we can change things when the faculty don't , when the staff doesn't, when the ALANA students have worked
their asses off trying to offer proposal after proposal...when they have
risked not graduating, and their lives...Maybe a strong statement is
necessary and needed.

So, my final request is that for the next few days we talk with each
other, learn as much as we can, listen to the voices who have experienced
what it is that we are talking about - I think we all know that the
majority of the Senate, as well as myself, have not experienced and
cannot totally understand what all of this is about, but let's try to.

Peace,

Betsy


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"When I dare to be powerful-
to use the strength in the service of my vision,
Then it becomes less and less important
whether I am afraid."
-Audre Lorde