In response to Wednesday’s Daily article “GSB to vote on support of rec bill”:

As I scanned the first page of the Daily, I saw the smiling face of our Government of the Student Body president, Brian Phillips. I expected to read an article about some random committee meeting, or his thoughts on the forum that had

taken place the night before.

Instead, I find myself reading about the upcoming vote for rec renovations, a much more interesting topic. As I read the article, I found myself getting more and more upset by Phillips’ comments and the comments of a few senators who were also featured.

My first bit of astonishment occurred when I read that GSB would be voting on this proposal before the student vote next week. GSB senator Taleen Brady said, “I just thought if we put up a resolution that GSB supports it, maybe that would convince other students because we are so well informed.”

The major problem I have with that comment is this: If my understanding of how the government is supposed to work is correct, then our senators are supposed to represent our interest in government – and we just follow along! Because, if you check out the resolution on GSB’s Web site, you will find this: “RESOLVED: That the students of Iowa State University support the Extreme Makeover: Recreation Renovation Project proposal by the Iowa State University Department of Recreation Services.”

So, if GSB votes yes on this resolution, then that means that “the students of Iowa State University” have voted yes. How is it that GSB can know our opinion on the subject if we haven’t voted on it? They can’t!

My second problem is with a few quotes featured in the article. Phillips: “GSB has done quite a bit of investigating on this issue. We are fairly well informed about the pros and cons of the bill.” Brady said, “Maybe that will convince other students because we are so well-informed.”

Well isn’t it nice that the GSB feels that they are “informed” enough to make a decision without the vote of the student body? I hate to break it to you, GSB, but we regular students are pretty well-informed too. I think that senator Andrew Boekelman says it best: “Should we be telling students what they should support?”

The answer, senator, is no. It’s time that GSB started listening to its constituents. Let us vote!

Tanner Howard

Freshman

Agricultural Education