I feel that it’s time that CCSG respond to some of the legitimate questions posed to us on this forum.

CCSG’s responsibility is primarily to advocate for the students at the Commonwealth level. We feel that we do an excellent job of this, and are very proud of what we have accomplished this year. I will say first and foremost that if I were to state (publicly or privately) that University Park students were not as smart or not as worthy because they began as first years at this campus, imagine the hell that would break loose. It is a shame that an individual who is a huge part of the problem was not in attendance last night to hear the thoughts of the Commonwealth. I’ll say to UPUA members who are worried about the future of that body that there are people among you ruining the good name you can one day have. I urge you to clean house where necessary.

I understand there’s been quite a few comments posted by people who are almost certainly UPUA members. I’d challenge them to stand up for their organization and use their real names when posting on these forums. It’s not professional to hide behind aliases. Furthermore, I’ve been called a “UPUA lover” several times for my close personal ties to that group, and I’m the one talking about them now. That should show the extreme feelings of frustration that the members of the Commonwealth feel, and I’d challenge anyone in UPUA (or otherwise) who claims on this site that the campuses are upset by my actions to prove it.

To those who claim that UPUA reached out its hand and CCSG didn’t take it, I’d again challenge you to prove it, because I can’t think of one substantial thing UPUA has done (and asked for our help with) that we have not worked with you on. On the other hand, we (CCSG) have seen Rockview, Grade Replacement, Drop-Add plus one, Change of Campus initiatives, etc. fall apart within UPUA. The assembly couldn’t even follow through on our co-hosted formal. Three members of UPUA showed up, and the Steering Committee held its meeting instead of coming.

Last night’s UPUA meeting is a perfect example of inaction at its best. While Christian Ragland passed a strong piece of anti sexual assault legislation, there were some in the assembly who attempted to block it, simply because it was not exactly what they wanted. Students are victims of sexual assault nearly every week at UP, but some members of the assembly still think it’s just fine to push back a document that could remove offenders from our society.

To those suggesting that I provide concrete numbers behind words like “many” and “some”, I’ll reply that I have no concrete numbers of who likes the Commonwealth and who does not, but I know of one major leader and at least three more general members in UPUA who have expressed comments of superiority over the Commonwealth.

I’ll also say that the only reasons a UP student wishing to go to another campus does not have a say in the government of that campus is because UPUA chooses not to speak and give opinions at CCSG council (where two liaison seats exist for them), and because until last week there was an empty UPUA seat at the table during change of campus meetings. Furthermore, UPUA sent nobody to welcome new UP students this spring semester during the “Winter Welcome” event. Samantha Miller was there as a former Transfer student, but it was CCSG welcoming new UP students. We don’t mind helping with UP responsiblities, but I believe the least UPUA could do is send a contingent of students to help new, transfer, and change of campus students on their first day at their new (and sometimes first) campus.

There’s a time when we must realize that our relationship is no longer equitable, because the extremely slow process we’ve dealt with on the UPUA end can not be allowed to spread to the Commonwealth. We’ll try again next year, while continuing to work with those who’ve proven to be capable. I urge students at UP to vote in this upcoming election for representatives whom they feel will get UPUA moving again. I know I’ll be doing the same.