SMU students today do not care for on-campus issues other than those affecting themselves. It seems like a harsh generalization, but it is what many students show through their apathy and attention to their own needs rather than the school’s or the community’s.

It also feels like many grassroots organizations on campus are being abandoned every day, only to be supported by a few students and left to the powers-that-be at the Student Senate to decide their fate. There is very little school unity and not much to care about. I realize that college is all about getting the grades and having a good time, and that trying to fit extracurricular activities in might be impossible. But consider this: The more apathetic we become, the less cohesive as a school we are. And the less cohesive as a school we are, the less value our education holds.

If we as a student body become any more polarized than we already are, we will become more the problem than the solution to our campus issues. This alone will make other universities look down upon us as a student body. This is why I believe that students should start to care about and get involved with Student Senate.

Students don’t understand the power that we have within this university. We have the power to charter and dismantle organizations, approve student-funding requests, review the Student Code of Conduct, give away Scholarships, and effect positive change on campus. You elected us, so you might as well put us to use and talk to the senator representing you.

It’s time to take a stand for what you believe and get involved on campus. There are so many issues that affect our students that you probably don’t even know about.

I’m sure everyone has had his or her issue with parking on campus over the past year, but has anyone done anything about it? Do people really like the way New Student Orientation is presented right now, or is it time for a change? Should drinking policies on the Boulevard be relaxed? Can the Health Center be improved for students?

These are issues that affect every single one of us, and we as a student body can accomplish so much if we just reach out and try to push change. If we say something, it will be heard. If we don’t, nothing will ever be accomplished.

So please, talk to your senators. Get involved with campus organizations. Find your passions. Individuality makes SMU so special and such a wonderful place to go to school.

Most of all, be heard. Don’t let anyone take your voice away. Do not hesitate to use the SMU Student Senate as a forum for all your problems on campus. That is what we are here for.

Joseph D. Esau is the engineering senator in the SMU Student Senate. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].