Andy Scott, Editor in Chief

I want to know who my senators are. I have four of them representing me this year, and, in the four years I've been a student, I haven't heard anything from them. I'm not out to blame anyone, but I hope to suggest a solution to a problem that has persisted for years.

There isn't enough communication between the student senate and the student body. This lack of proper communication between senators and their constituents has created a disconnect, preventing students from understanding what senators are doing with almost $650,000 of a student-funded budget.

This isn't a new issue, but it needs to be addressed; the lack of information about what senators are doing creates apathy toward the democratic process.

I want to clarify that this isn't a rant against senate, nor do I want to point fingers at any individuals.

What goes on in senate must be communicated effectively to students. There should be action stemming from not only The Falcon, but individual senators to communicate as often as possible what they are doing to represent their constituents.

I'm not suggesting that senators don't work or that they don't care. I'm suggesting that there aren't clear guidelines or methods of accountability to ensure students are kept aware of what's being done by the people who represent them.

As of Monday night, senate's Web site doesn't offer a current list of senators, and the list of committees has yet to be updated since last year.

The ASSP Constitution states that "In order to ensure constituency awareness, every Senator is expected to be in communication with their constituency on a regular basis." While some senators are making efforts to meet this expectation, the expectation is too vague to enforce.

The next sentence suggests ways that senators can communicate with their constituents, but there is no solid expectation outlined other than requiring senators to bring one constituent to senate once a quarter and to sponsor or co-sponsor a proposal during their term.

Not all senators are disengaged, however. Some are taking the initiative and making efforts to get to know their constituents.

Sophomore Jennifer Bostrom, Campus Housing and Apartments (CHA) senator, said she sends a weekly e-mail to constituents, informing them of what happened at Monday night senate meetings. She said that, while she has received a few comments from her constituents, no one has expressed a desire to actively participate.

So, that means that students aren't willing to meet their senators halfway.

Bostrom said that some senators post e-mails while others send postcards or put up posters. Currently, she is working with Executive Vice President Andrew Huskamp to set up a new e-mail system that would let her communicate more effectively with CHA students, Bostrom said.

Huskamp has been meeting with all the senators this quarter to find ways to individually improve communication.

Senior Josh Frankland, psychology senator, said that he has been working with students to resurrect the psychology club. He also represents the Centurions, a men's honor group. Frankland said there is no enforcement on the rule of bringing constituents to meetings, and he doesn't contact his constituents other than by personal involvement. There is no real way to get in contact with students other than being available as a resource, Frankland said.

Frankland is currently the only returning senator but feels that this year's senators are more active than last year's.

Huskamp said one of his goals this year has been to increase communication, and it is an admirable goal. Senate's communication with the student body needs to be more than a monthly newsletter.

I want to challenge senators: e-mail your constituents before the end of the quarter, if only to introduce yourselves. And as students, let's get involved with how senate represents us.