According to the University’s student government press secretary, the Student Government Executive Office “serves as a central location for those involved in SG to work on initiatives and improve the lives of students across the University … [and] serves as the eyes and ears for the SG Executive Branch.”
However, to students like me, the office serves as an oversized vending machine specializing in dispensing a limit of two scantrons and bluebooks per day.
First off, I think the Student Government as a whole does a great job advocating the interests of University students. Specifically, Executive Branch departments, such as Philanthropy, Organizational Outreach, Veteran & Military Student Affairs, and Transportation provide valuable resources and opportunities to many University students. In fact, the only shortcoming of the Executive Branch I feel is necessary to mention is booking Kesha as the headliner for Groovin’ 2017 — maybe in 2011, but 2017? C’mon man.
Taking into account all of the tremendous things the Executive Branch does for the student body, I understand an office probably helps processes happen more efficiently. But is it truly necessary to have SG’s Executive office located in an area with much foot traffic? Why not move the Executive Office to a location on the fourth floor of the Union, where the Legislative Branch’s office already exists?
The issue becomes even more pressing when you consider revenue lost because of the University’s inability to lease the space out to a restaurant such as Cane’s.
SG does not pay for the space, but they do pay for printing supplies and IT services. Luckily for us, SG recently cut phone services in the office because they felt it was not an appropriate use of student fees — at least they’re trying to save money while occupying a spot that could otherwise be generating revenue for the University.
Perhaps the best replacement would be an ice cream store similar to the one that once stood where the southwest entrance is today. This ice cream store would be run by the University, allowing collaboration between the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences and College of Agriculture.
Heck, at this point, I’d even be okay with a restaurant that offered food for students who want to eat healthily. As my colleague Chris Godail pointed out in a column earlier this semester, health conscious students have their options on campus limited to a boxed salad from On the Geaux.
I can’t decide what’s worse: the University missing out on potential revenue at a time of financial uncertainty, or the fact that Keshais headlining Groovin’ 2017. However, I do congratulate SG on getting a much more recognizable act than last year to headline what I predict will be a great event taking place on March 30.
In the meantime, the SG Executive office will continue to inhabit a valuable space while time continues to “Tik Tok” away … Sorry.
Matthew Hutchins is a 20-year-old petroleum engineering sophomore from Wetumpka, Alabama.