The AAS has flaws that must be remedied, but a complete overhaul is not necessary. Four years ago, amid myriad allegations of corruption and embezzlement, the Student Government Organization (SGO) drafted a new constitution, the result of which is today's AAS. To undertake another dramatic rethinking of the College's student government after such a short amount of time is not only uncalled for, it could do more harm than good. Making smaller-scale alterations such as the aforementioned proposal is a more realistic and worthwhile option.
As the senate is currently configured, each class has eight senators who are members of both the AAS and various subcommittees from the Committee on Physical Education and Athletics to the Committee on Educational Policy. We can see no reason that senators would make more capable committee members than students selected through at-large elections. Senators uninterested in their assigned committees could not be better representatives than those who enthusiastically apply for the position.
The same principle should be applied to the idea of a smaller senate population in general. In recent years several elections have been uncontested, and some of today's senators earned their seats with just a handful of write-in ballots. Fewer available seats would result in more competitive elections, and that could only improve the makeup of the senate.
We realize that increasing at-large seats could present many challenges, such as the accountability and election of non-senatorial members of committees. While at-large elections would not be a guaranteed success, these logistical hurdles are not justifications for keeping committee spots reserved for the AAS. But there are concerns surrounding a smaller senate body as well. Some argue that fewer senators would lead to an AAS that is little more than a large budgetary committee, and that a smaller organization would have diminished power with the administration and faculty. We acknowledge these fears, but think that the possible benefits of the proposal are worth the risks at hand.
It's important to note that even after the suggested changes, members of the AAS will make up the majority on the committees. This would be an important step, but by no means an overthrowing of the senate. We have faith in the students of Amherst, and we believe that they can handle more voice and a bigger presence in the workings of their College. We hope the senators will show similar faith in their constituents by passing this proposal.