Student government graded on successes, failures

Instructor evaluations are available in our D-Mail inboxes, but I did not see a link allowing me to grade the 2011-2012 Dixie State College Student Association.

DSCSA’s mantra from the start of the year was “You Are DSCSA.” Since that’s the case, student government needs a grade.

Here are my grades for the 2011-2012 DSCSA:

Activities: A

Have you been to a dance this year? Judging by the numbers, you have. The events this year were put together well, and it looked as though all people were enjoying themselves. I can’t stand the music that was played at dances, but everyone else seems to like it. That’s all that matters.

Consistency is essential, and when Marcus Wing jolted the Howl in October, it made sense to bring him back two more times. I also applaud student government for delivering decent-quality concerts when Yellowcard and Andy Grammer came to town.

Campaigns and Slogans: C-

I literally (figuratively) felt like my throat was being redefined from the number of campaigns and slogans that were rammed down it this year. Not every idea needs a slogan attached to it. Team of the Century, Rock the Status Quo, REDefine, You Are DSCSA, Face Time, Face to Face … (insert gag reflex here).

For two-thirds of the students whose eyes are on Brian Head in February and the Virgin River and Sand Hollow in April, they need you to go to them. All of these campaigns were based on students going to DSCSA. If you want to redefine DSC’s culture, then you first need to redefine the way student government goes about visiting with students. Setting up a booth on The Diagonal has never worked.

Handling Controversy: C+

DSCSA had to deal with certain situations this semester that were less than comfortable. I don’t know if it was because DSCSA members weren’t trained on how to handle these situations or the members have sensitive personalities, but these situations weren’t handled well whether they trolled students on Facebook, created a new slogan, or assumed the Dixie Sun was attacking them any time we covered those stories.

DSCSA needs to remember that when we cover all the good things about student government, we’re also going to cover things that aren’t so glamorous, and we have to ask tough questions. Don’t get offended, and we also won’t get offended when you’re not happy with us.

Representing the Students: A

By the students casting their votes in favor of Student Body President Mike Sheffield, the students trusted him to make decisions on their behalf. He was not required to keep in touch with us because we already gave him our support. But he, and the rest of DSCSA, did it anyway. Although student government’s approach was doomed from the start, at least student government members tried. The student senators meticulously sought students’ opinions on campus smoking. Two Direction of Dixie forums were held so students could voice opinions. Communication is a two-way street, and student government was on that street.

Overall Grade: B

There’s room for improvement, but DSCSA did an above average job. This is speculation, but I think Sheffield and the other members of DSCSA ran into the same problem that happens to a lot of us. They had great ideas going in, but administration told them they couldn’t execute all of their plans. That’s how we ended up with asinine ideas like Rock the Status Quo (translation: being awesome at doing what’s normal).

Students’ hopes should be that Brody Mikesell goes against the grain and isn’t afraid to raise the bar.