Last Tuesday's MSA meeting, which was held at Trotter House, was marked by a return to sharp partisan divide. The assembly considered only two major resolutions - regarding internal spending procedures and campaign advertising. After long and rancorous debate, the assembly tabled both proposals, pending further review.
The meeting was disappointing. Given that MSA Reps. Andy Schor (Wolverine Party) and David Burden (Students' Party) dropped their party affiliation two weeks ago, the assembly is effectively in the hands of the Michigan Party. At that time, MSA President Fiona Rose said she did not anticipate having trouble passing legislation in the absence of traditional party-line voting and coalitions. Unfortunately, Rose may have spoken too soon.
Tuesday's meeting is an example of past problems with MSA. The meeting was plagued with miscommunication - at times, representatives voiced confusion over what the assembly was voting on. Debate often became heated, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. These problems led to an unproductive meeting.
History has proved that partisan bickering burdens the governing process with inefficiency. Not only does it stall the legislation at hand, it creates ill will and bad feelings. Such bickering also undermines the credibility of the student government. The majority of students currently view MSA as an incompetent, ineffective government. Tuesday's meeting only reinforced this view. If MSA is to change this perception, it must work harder to stop the infighting.
Moreover, student turnout at MSA elections may never increase if the infighting continues. MSA would do well to overcome its partisan problems. In the last few elections, only about 10 percent of the student body voted.
MSA needs to convince students that it really does have a positive impact upon campus life. Getting bogged down in party politics is a sure path to failure for MSA, especially at the ballot box.
In an effort to attract student interest, MSA held last Tuesday's meeting at the Trotter House instead of its usual location in the Michigan Union. This is a positive step forward for the assembly. With increased visibility comes a greater responsibility to be efficient. Here, MSA clearly failed, as the meeting became victim to infighting.
Parties within MSA are necessary, if only to stop elections and debates from degenerating into pure popularity contests without regard for ability or merit. However, when it interferes with the business of government, assembly members need to take a step back and reconsider their elective mission - to serve the best interest of their constituents, the students.