by Stephen Lennstrom
Staff Writer

SCC students will be voting on February 26 for a new student government structure. That day (providing we pass the resolution before us) will provide the first step towards a goal that we have sought for a long time: To become more like the United Kingdom.

Perhaps you didn’t know this, but we will vote to determine whether or not we should switch from a bicameral to a unicameral government structure.

In simpler English: We won’t have an executive branch and a senate in our student government anymore. They’re going to hook up.

The effects of this range far and wide. One intended result is to increase the diversity of students involved in student body government. Currently turnover rates and the difficulty in attracting new students lead our government to (unintentionally) misrepresent the student body, because once a member drops out, senators are more likely to prompt one of their friends to fill the position.

In addition, student body work isn’t necessarily the best paying job. Under current government organization, considering the amount of work put in some of our representatives are working below minimum wage. Consolidated projects, specialized positions, and a greater sense of accountability are focal points of the new constitution and will hopefully offer a better job to those who are meant to serve the students.

Secondly, by combining different aspects of our student government, we are cutting down on the amount of time necessary to get things done.

What club would like to have a direct link with the government to say, request more funding? Under the new constitution, a club representative will attend meetings with other club leaders and a liaison who, according to a reconstruction fact sheet concerning the United Club Council, “would sit on the Board of Student Government.”

With a consolidated government, collaboration would be easier than toasting crumpets. “(Currently) I attend on average probably two meetings a day,” stated Student President Ivanhoe. When these meetings run on for more than two and a half hours, it cuts down on the amount of time you can spend on new projects, or even mundane things.

So go ahead: Get out there and vote on the February 26. If you so feel inclined, talk to your Student Government about suggestions or perhaps even signing up. Being involved in student politics is cool, plus it’s so European.