Your voice matters

When students make their opinions known, University changes can occur

“Bring a bathing suit; go out on the lake. We have a hot tub.”

“OK, now show me your tits.”

“When I imagine you dancing, on the basis of your description, all I can envision is ‘Flash Dance.’ Is THAT what you do?”

Certain professors have allegedly been making comments such as these to students as far back as 1988.

It’s been less than a year since The Red & Black began reporting on sexual harassment at the University, and much has changed.

The administration finally stopped making excuses and changed the way the University handles sexual harassment investigations.

In September, three ombudspersons were appointed to independently handle complaints through the Equal Opportunity Office.

The Red & Black editorial board could not be happier, as the Office of Legal Affairs clearly demonstrated its inability to handle investigations – one day, a formal complaint was necessary. Other days, a mere suspicion was enough.

Without the courageous students who came forward to report their cases, it is unlikely such changes ever would have occurred.

As the proverbial lowest man on the totem pole, students often feel unimportant or that their opinions don’t matter.

But, as this past year has shown, when students make their voices heard, the administration listens – and often responds positively.

This semester, the University announced that the women’s studies department will move from the almost uninhabitable Benson Building to Gilbert Hall.

Students and faculty petitions, combined with Red & Black stories and editorials reporting on and reflecting the news, made that change possible.

Additionally, after an influx of backlash against a policy requiring students to report when they are arrested within 72 hours, the University reconsidered the rule.

Why? To seek more student input.

On a larger scale, the 18-29 age group showed up at the polls in record numbers on Nov. 4.

University students were more energized than ever on campus, holding debates and open forums to get their messages out.

And when Georgia was forced to hold a runoff for Sen. Saxby Chambliss and opponent Jim Martin, students mobilized in big numbers.

Now that the political scene has died down, don’t let that fervor and energy diminish.

The University is a large place, with a lot of red tape, and changes can take awhile to occur.

But that shouldn’t deter students from voicing their views.

Attention must be paid to issues – big and small – that affect students.

In the future, we hope the University takes student input into consideration on issues such as mandatory fees, alcohol regulations and child care.

Students are the lifeblood of the University, – without us, this institution would fail.

And everyone deserves to have his or her opinion be heard.

The Opinions page of The Red & Black is and always has been an open forum for the University community. This page is an excellent outlet for affecting change, but it’s not the only way students can make their voices heard.

However you get your message out – whether it’s here, a protest at the Arch, a petition to the administration or a letter to the Board of Regents – don’t let yourself be silenced.

- Shannon Otto for the editorial board