What Should We Expect From Our Leaders?

Guest Commentary
Christopher Woodside
History/Secondary Ed.
Class of 2016

We must hold our leaders to higher standards.

Last month, the Association of American Universities released a study that said 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted during their time in college. The Catholic University of America is one university being investigated for failing to adequately address accusations of such assault. Last spring, myself, as well as fellow delegates from the former student government, the Student Association General Assembly (SAGA) drafted a bill that would have given students a more powerful voice and opportunity to work with the University to correct this issue and ensure all students feel safe every day they call this campus home. The bill failed to pass. Two of the votes responsible for this bill failing currently preside as the President and Vice President of the Student Government Association. We can not say that a single vote equates supporting rapists or to hurt victims of sexual assault further, I hold in my heart that they had the best of intentions with their vote as did the others who voted no. However, we all are responsible for what we say, the actions we take, and whether a yes or no is transcribed next to our name. Instead of spending too much time chastising their individual votes, as nothing can be done to erase that error they made, I want to tell you a little about what their votes blocked from achieving. First, this committee would have brought students and administrators together to work on policies and procedures that would make the University more effective in addressing sexual assault cases. This could have addressed installing new safety equipment around campus, or ensuring DPS is trained and improved in their response time. Secondly, this committee would work closely with like minded student groups such as CUA PEERS to run activities and events to foster education about preventing sexual assault. We also had several other goals in mind such as LGBT specific resources for those students who may not feel as comfortable seeking out some of the resources the University currently has available, such as campus ministry. I wish the new senators elected to SGA the best of luck in the future year, and I hope that President St. Amant and Vice President Benedek are thoughtful and effective leaders for this University. Sadly, however, based on their previous voting record, I have very little faith in our current leadership. We should not have to have worries of any moral ambiguity among our leaders. Unfortunately, there are severe worries. Winning an election is not enough. We must hold our leaders to higher standards. In my opinion, President St. Amant and Vice President Benedek are no longer worthy of my trust, and why I believe they ought to resign or face immediate impeachment.