Unfortunately, we at The Mass Media live on the financial edge.

Last semester we began experiencing serious problems with our computer systems and it became necessary to purchase new equipment. (One of our production computers “wheezes” so loudly you can hear it in the hallway outside our offices.) We were able to buy three computers out of our own funds, but we needed at least two more. The obvious source of support seemed to be the student government.

We are a totally student-run business and employ between 30 and 35 UMB students every semester. Any purchases made would directly benefit the student body now and in the future.

We decided to request support for one computer from the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) and for one from the Student Senate.

The GSA approved over $2000 to purchase a computer. At this point, The Mass Media would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the GSA for their support. We have been able to order a new production computer, ensuring that weekly publication will continue throughout the semester, without having to trim our budget and layoff any students or having to ask students to work without pay (which we have had to do in the past). The GSA responded to our request in a timely and appropriate manner. The whole process was relatively painless.

The same cannot be said of our dealings with the Student Senate. The experience was akin to having fingernails dragged across a chalkboard.

We first went to a Budget and Finance Committee meeting over a month ago, but that committee was defunct. We then went to a full Senate meeting, but there weren’t enough members present to vote on any financial questions. They then referred us back to the Budget and Finance Committee. Unfortunately there weren’t enough members at that meeting to vote on financial questions. (It should be noted we were requesting $742 from a body that approved $9,000 last semester for a hayride and social event that never happened, and has often given funds to off-campus organizations.)

Lest you think this is a self-serving example of the Senate’s actions, attend any Senate meeting (every other Wednesday afternoon in the Wheatley Student Lounge). Far too often, the sessions are dominated by one individual who manages to derail any requests he doesn’t personally support in bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and constant references to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Senate members need to keep in mind that their only goal shouldn’t be to fluff up their resumes, but also to benefit the student body. At the end of the year students should be able to recall a concrete benefit the Senate has provided them.

Can you think of an example of something the UMB Student Senate has done for you?

We can’t.