The executive branch, headed in 1998-99 by President Salwa Shamapande '00, includes a cabinet containing the titles Secretary of Administrative Affairs, Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Registry, Secretary of Public Policy and Relation, Secretary of University Policy, and Attorney General. So does the student trustee, elected by undergraduates as their representative at meetings of the university's board. Student leaders want to be seen as a force for change, a champion of interests they consider to be in constant jeopardy. Senators say their constituents rarely know how they voted on eradicating Saturday exams, but make a beeline in their direction when their projects need cash. While the SGA chafes under the image of glorified piggybank, its members often feel frustrated in trying to pursue wider issues.
Townes clearly shares students' belief that they're often brushed aside.
Despite the Us vs. Them attitude, SGA is set up to work closely with the administration. Motions passed by the senate are brought by the speaker to Javier Cevallos, the interim vice chancellor for student affairs, who forwards them on to colleagues who ponder whether they can be supported by the upper echelons. The administration has twenty days to respond yea or nay to student motions. Court, who has spent much time in boardrooms in the last two years in her roles as student trustee and liaison to the Board of Higher Education, says she understands both official reluctance and students' frustration. There's a place for input, but eventually the decisions are made at the upper levels of the university.