With the fall term coming to a close, executives of Carleton’s student associations—CUSA, GSA and RRRA—are closing up on their first six months in the job. While most students are concerned about maintaining their own grades, it is important that students check in on how their respective student associations are performing.
Student association executives are elected after running on platforms, making promises to students which need to be upheld once they are elected. Every school year, every undergraduate student pays a levy of $61.34; every graduate student pays $238.18 a year to the GSA; and every residence student pays $68.82 a year to the RRRA.
All these associations get money through student levies and residence fees. It’s students’ money they’re spending. Students need to ensure that these groups are following through on their promises, if, for nothing more, than to make sure they are getting their money’s worth.
An ability to deliver on campaign promises is what governing and being in power is about. If student associations don’t deliver, students need to know, as this should factor in when they decide to vote.
But, students can only know if they’re invested in what’s happening, and when forums for accountability and transparency are put forward for students to voice their feedback, they need to take advantage of the opportunity.
