Berman sets forth SGA plans

Author: Katie Flagg

Two weeks into his fourth semester at Middlebury College, President of the Student Government Association Eli Berman '07.5 is already campaigning for the "positive change" he advocated in his platform last spring. As Berman cites high hopes for the year ahead, his enthusiasm in pursuing platform goals and new agendas is tempered by the need for accountability and action within the SGA.

"Accountability is key," Berman told his cabinet in meetings early this September, stressing the responsibility of the SGA to follow through on initiatives introduced throughout the course of the year.

Berman's cabinet met today for its first official meeting - the first step in what Berman recognized as a managerial-intensive period for the SGA. "Our first priority," he said," is totally organizational." While Berman's cabinet has been brainstorming objectives for the past several months - a move unusual for an organization unaccustomed to summer planning, says Berman - the main body of the SGA has not yet been elected. In two weeks the SGA will launch its annual elections campaign, soliciting candidates for the Senate and several SGA-sponsored committees.

Election reform is not on the agenda, says Berman, and procedures will largely follow patterns dictated by previous administrations. Berman did stress the SGA's renewed commitment to publicity and communications, saying that Press Secretary Adam Irish '08.5 will "blitz the campus" in the weeks leading up to elections. "The key is that we want to make it as easy as possible to get involved," Berman said.

This dedication to communication lies at the heart of what Berman calls "broad themes" for the year ahead. In addition to highlighting specific items on his agenda - such as the Collegiate Readership program, which brings national newspapers to College dining halls, and the Napster music program - Berman stressed the SGA's commitment to community outreach, accessible mass transportation for students and communication between the SGA and the student body. He hopes to improve "town-gown relations" by facilitating interaction between the College and community, expand Addison County Transit Resources service to the College and to promote the pedestrian campus.

Berman's proposed communication reforms are perhaps most innovative - and have the most potential, in the long run, for lasting change. This change is dependent upon the success of Berman's plans, however, and communication between the SGA and student body has traditionally been lacking. Berman proposes Sunday night gatherings in the SGA office for all interested students, and plans to instate weekly open lunches with administrative officials that he hopes will facilitate dialogue. Online surveys, used in the past, will be used sparingly.

"The way the campus feels is extremely important to me," said Berman. "Surveys are definitely useful, but hopefully we'll have so many other venues for communicating with the student body."

Berman predicts a more specific agenda will follow today's cabinet meeting. "These people are not just another student government," he said of those individuals serving in the cabinet, stressing the enthusiasm and passion of his cabinet members. At time of press, Berman indicated that the response to Hurricane Katrina, the College's affiliation with the Monterey Institution of International Studies and social life on campus are current priorities.

The liquor inspector's reinterpreted enforcement of the alcohol policy - the cause of much complaint and consternation on campus - is at the top of Berman's agenda. "The key is to make sure that we're in compliance with the law," said Berman, "and the problem is that we don't know how to do that now," but assured, "we're going to find a way to protect the social life on campus," he continued.

This promise is but one of many Berman has committed himself to fulfilling in the coming year. In addition to newly recognized initiatives, Berman's two-week campaign in April focused on several goals for the new administration. His platform rallied support for a universal wireless Internet network on campus, extended laundry facilities, improved and expanded activity and social spaces, an endowed fund for environmental grants and a heightened profile for the College's organic garden.

This suite of possibilities - ranging from enhanced communication to protected social life, from administrative transparency to solidified town-gown relationships - will prove substantial if Berman's administration is successful in instituting change. Berman - now at the "most busy [he has] ever been in [his] life" - remains optimistic. "I am confident that we're going to make a difference t his year," he said.

Berman clinched the presidency in last April's election, defeating candidates Dan Saper '06 and Elizabeth Schaumberg '06. Then-SGA Director of Membership Alex Meditz '05 confirmed that 1,559 students voted in the spring's presidential election, but a decision made by the SGA and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson restricted the release of any further voting statistics. Berman bears the distinction of being the youngest SGA president in recent history - a distinction that could, arguably, boost greater accountability and stability within the organization.