LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Imagine!

The idea must precede the action. The future of VCU
is in your hands. Vote for a vision!

Imagine VCU populated by students and faculty
members with positive attitudes, and an energetic, courageous

Student Government Association moving toward
achieving some of the following:

An academic community that embraces everyone and
is unafraid of ideas, different people and charges!

A university that concentrates on the whole person
– physical, social and aesthetic development – in addition
to intellectual development!

Women’s and men’s basketball teams playing in the
NCAA Final Four in the same year.

A student body actively engaged in community
outreach, making a positive difference in the Richmond
High School drop-out rate!

A football team and a marching band playing our
newly designated alma mater!

A student community where every deserving student
receives academic and financial assistance based on real
needs!

A more socially and politically active campus, energized
by the social fraternities, sororities, and residence halls;
a campus where everyone votes!

A more-beautiful campus that taps into its enormous
artistic-talent reserve with sculptures, art exhibits and a Museum of Fine Arts!

A more-supportive community where students and
faculty members reach out to “make others’ conditions
their own” and where everyone is engaged and excited
about their personal and creative growth!

The Students for Positive Change party is that dynamic,
proactive, enthusiastic group of servant leaders with
such a vision for the VCU of tomorrow. The choice is
yours. The time is now! Make it happen! Vote March
25, 26 and 27! Actions Count at VCU!

—

Dear Editor, Commonwealth Times:

It is time for a “reality check” of sorts concerning the continual deterioration
of the Student Government Association. Under the current SGA
leadership, student involvement in student government has fallen year
after year. Two years ago, 3,000 students voted in the SGA presidential
election. Last year, turnout was a paltry 1,800 out of a student body of
more than 20,000.

Fewer students have felt compelled to run for Student Senate every
year, viewing it as an ineffective body in truly addressing the concerns
and needs of the students. At what point will the SGA become relevant
and actually communicate with the students and fight for their interests
on issues that matter?

It is time for real change for VCU. In the last two years, VCU students
have seen their tuition increase by more than 10 percent, yet, at no point
has the SGA spoken up for the students to demand an explanation. Instead,
we get the same talk about party patrols and a football team.

Real issues face the students of VCU, and real changes are not going to
come from a new social or health awareness by the student body but by
solid leadership that understands that the purpose of student government
is to develop a conversation between the student body, the administration
and the city of Richmond.

When is the last time the student body had a truly representative voice
at that table?

The student body of VCU is divided. As the school continues to expand,
it finds itself segregating into departments: business on one side, art and
music on another; engineering here, life sciences there. What is bringing
this varied body together? More importantly, who is representing its varied
interests?

Actions count. But those actions must be real action on real issues
that truly matter to the students of VCU-not the rehashing of the same
unresolved issues the current leadership of the SGA has presented year
after year.

Real change is about creating an environment that students want to be a
part of, not something they have to be begged to join. Ours is a campaign
of transparency and engagement, a student government that is open to
ideas, that is truly fighting for the issues that matter to every student at
VCU and laying the foundation of a school that we are all proud to call
our own.

This change will not come with fancy words or empty promises, but
real representative leadership that seeks out real action on real issues. For
change that matters, for actions that truly count, the Latimer-Aida-Ronk
ticket will provide that real leadership.

Sincerely,

Steven Latimer

Gonzalo Aida

Joshua Ronk

www.realchangevcu.com