High turnover and few returning senators mean ASUP newcomers
By Jonathan Hiser Senior News Reporter
When the next round of 30 ASUP senators take office on Sept. 24, there will be a lot of new faces. Due to a number of reasons, including class conflicts and study abroad, five or six veteran senators will not be returning, leaving ASUP with a higher-than-average turnover rate.
Two-year senator Amy Oliveria is one such senator who will not be running for the fall semester. Oliveria said she wouldn't participate in the Senate unless she could be fully dedicated to it. Citing similar feelings among other non-returning senators, she said that for most, it's not a lack of interest, but rather an inability to make time.
"As a senior, life is out of control," Oliveria said. "Between trying to write a capstone and do a job, it just gets to the point where it is too crazy. If I tried to do it this year, being as busy as I am, I think my constituency would suffer for that."
Vice President Anna Costa said she is open to the change in seats, believing it will free up room for new student outlooks.
"I think it is good to have some returnees, but I also think it is good to get a new perspective because it helps the Senate evolve," Costa said. "It's good because the veterans can help show by example the etiquette."
Returning senators will be called on to lead by example - not just in etiquette, but by experience, as well. Oliveria said that when passing new policies, it's important to have senators who have "been around the block" and know what kind of language must to be added to each document.
"The Senate is based on process, and when you have a brand new Senate, it's hard to get your feet under you because they're still learning these processes so you can't get into the meat of it," Oliveria said. "So it's nice to have experienced senators who know how to get right into it."
To compensate for this disparity in experience, all senate members, new and old, go through a day-long series of lectures and classes that prepare them for their position. Once again, Costa said that experienced senators will play a vital role during this retreat. As such, the retreat is mandatory for both new and old senators alike.
"It's pretty much the how-to retreat," said third-time running senator junior Allison Able. "It's important for us old
senators to impart our wisdom by telling them what we've learned from the past so they know what to do and what to expect."
Oliveria said that turnover is a constant problem, due in part to the personalities of most senators.
"Senators tend to be very involved people on campus with most of them being involved in three or four other activities," Oliveria said. "It can get to be just too much and eventually you have to set your priorities and figure out what you can and can't do."
Able said that because of her History major she was lucky to have enough leeway in class scheduling to budget time for senate.
"Because it is one of my priorities, I find time to do it," Able said.
Despite this yearly issue, Oliveria said she thinks there will still be enough returnees to guide the new Senate into the new school year.
"There are going to be a couple veterans that I know for sure will return, so it won't be as clean a slate as it appears," Oliveria said.
