Each year, students vying for the chance to be the president or vice president of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) emphasize the need to increase communication with the student body. The student body at approximately 8,000 strong is a tough audience. Serafino Bueti, A&S '08, had attended a few UGBC sponsored events, such as Howard Dean speaking in O'Neill Plaza, but he had no idea that the UGBC had been involved. "I didn't really know who had organized it," he said. Christopher Russo, A&S '08, said UGBC's purpose was mostly to organize and advertise events for undergraduates. "I don't think they do a very good job of advertising, though," he said. Grace Simmons and Burnell Holland, both A&S '05, realize the problem. Elected president and vice president, respectively, of the UGBC last year, their first semester centered on informing students about what the UGBC could accomplish. They spread the word in online newsletters, popular events, and any other way they possibly could. "I think we definitely succeeded in bringing the community together," said Holland. Elected last February for the 2004-05 school year, Simmons and Holland ran on a platform that contained issues such as a new student center and the use of the new Brighton Campus. These issues, as it turns out, are not ones of their time. Construction on a student center, as they found out this summmer, will not begin for at least five years. The Brighton Campus, meanwhile, will not have any official decisions made about it for at least another year. Simmons and Holland attempted to do what they could in these areas. They held a town hall meeting in the fall with Executive Vice President Pat Keating, Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo, Vice President of Facilities Tom Devine, and Tom Keady, vice president for governmental community affairs. These administrators will ultimately be making the decisions about the Brighton Campus. "We need to do what we can in the interim time to make use of what we've got," said Simmons. And in terms of the Brighton Campus, she noted that they "tried to get the information out there to people." This sort of do-what's-possible attitude has influenced their whole time as UGBC officials, a practical attitude that's necessary for anyone who holds the office, both said. Some impressive promises will probably be made in next months elections, but such promises are difficult to keep. As they've struggled with the enormous issues, Simmons and Holland have made small but equally important changes to better student life. Smaller initiatives included extending Bapst Library's hours during finals and trying to get Corcoran Commons' Late Night hours extended on Fridays. "We're trying some of those little things because the little things can go a long way too," said Simmons. "Burnell and I are aware of that, and we try to think 'How can we make little changes in student life that students will appreciate?'" Their term hasn't been without controversy. In the fall, Ravi Kalwani, executive director of social and cultural issues for UGBC used the UGBC credit card, also known as the "P" card, to publish Freshman Disorientation. These packets were distributed by the Global Justice Project and contained disparaging remarks about Republicans and the University, along with expletive language. Though a freshman packet idea was approved by the UGBC, the resulting publication was not reviewed by any UGBC official before it was released. In total, $1,181 of UGBC funds, which comes from students, were used for the packets. A hearing was held in September charging Kalwani with misconduct. His punishment included probation until Feb. 1 with limited use of the "P" card, as well as an obligation to write a letter of apology to the student body and speak at a panel discussion about the packets. Holland said Kalwani has been on probation. No letter of apology has been written, however, and the panel discussion is yet to be scheduled. Much more important to many students was the absence of a fall concert, something that had become a UGBC staple. Unfortunately, this year they were given only one date with which to work, resulting in a few "sub-par" acts being the only possible performers. Despite their status, it still would have required exorbitant amounts of money from the UGBC, which, in turn, is coming directly from the students. Simmons and Holland decided against it, and wrote a Letter to the Editor in The Heights to explain their decision to students. "It just wasn't worth a sub par act coming for an insane amount of money. It's not fair to students because it's students' money," said Holland. For the coming semester, the pair rule out nothing. "I don't think anything's impossible," said Holland. "Honestly, we had the ability to start the ball rolling during the campaign, and even though we may not have the ability to finish every issue, nothing's impossible." As they like to point out, next year's president and vice president will be elected in February, but they will not take office until May. The duo wants to continue to bring popular speakers and keep publishing the UGBC newsletter. Spring Fling, an outdoor dance, is in the works. Both said they want students to recognize the power that they do have, and attempt to take control of their own destiny. They think they have served the UGBC well, and hope to continue to help improve overall student life."I think it's really important to lead by example," said Holland, "and we've tried to do that. It's important to the freshmen and even sophomores, because this year we did not take juniors [as cabinet members] if they were spending the year abroad." "We've made it clear to people in UGBC that it's a serious commitment, but at the same time, we're still students, and we've still got to have fun," said Holland. "And the ability to consolidate those two is what makes UGBC great."
UGBC: Simmons, Holland reflect on semester
Officials assess success, challenges of first term period
Published: Monday, January 22, 2007
Updated: Saturday, November 14, 2009
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