I am writing to respond to the editorial published in the Iowa State Daily on April 25. I would firstly like to support the actions of the Government of the Student Body Supreme Court justices. I believe that their actions were completely warranted and necessary. This semester, I attended more than a majority of the the GSB Senate Meetings. I sat in the gallery, appalled by what I was watching. I expected the meetings to be a great spectacle of students advocating for the interests of the entire Iowa State community. This was not the case. Not once did I hear the words, “My constituents believe…” Is a student government, is not any democratic government there to serve the wishes of the people? I heard personal opinions and interests drown out the voice of the students.

I was at the meeting when the Judicial Funding Bill first came to the Senate on February 26, 2014. The bill asked for a minimum of $500 with a cap of $1,000, less than the bill that was voted down just a few days ago. Two weeks after the bill’s introduction, March 12, 2014, I watched as certain senators ripped the intentions of the court, stating that they didn’t want the money to be spent on just anything. That statement was completely conflicting with what the bill actually stated. There were defined rules that dictated the spending of money from the account, including lines 69-71 of Senate Bill 2013-3-093 Y, that stated that expenditures must be approved by the Finance Director and a GSB adviser. I mentioned this bill to show to all that the court was not only denied funding once, but twice.

The duties of the GSB Supreme Court include protecting the students against the Senate. If the court must go to the Senate for every item they wished to spend money on, the Senate has a power over the court. By blocking the path to the court, the Senate has set itself up to be above students’ rights and opinions.

To respond directly to the authors of the editorial, the former justices are not acting “childish” and do not need to “grow up.” In a democratic society, are citizens not allowed to stand up and protest in what they believe is wrong? Are we not all entitled to our beliefs and opinions? I feel that the authors are acting disrespectfully and [are] inconsiderate for their choice of words. These justices, work hard to make sure that students are protected against the GSB. They are some of the most responsible and hard-working members of the GSB. How can we expect these justices to stay when they are being controlled by the Senate? There are three separate branches for a reason, to keep the others in line. The Senate has set itself in a position to control the judicial branch, an action which is appalling and irresponsible. I have watched the GSB try to make substantial changes, but has failed to do so because of personal agendas. As a student, I am not only upset, but disappointed in the students we elect as “leaders.”

Cole Staudt

[email protected]

641-330-1847

Freshman in Political Science

2013-2014 Director of IT, IRHA

2014-2015 Director of Finance, IRHA