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DANIEL ORTNER: Constituent conflict
by Daniel Ortner
Columnists | 10/23/07
Posted online at 11:22 PM EST on 10/22/07
/ Last updated at 12:55 AM EST on 10/22/07
A dual set of experiences last week reminded me that our elected leaders ultimately represent us and must serve our desires and interests.
Last week, I attended a meeting between students and University President Jehuda Reinharz during which students protested how Reinharz decided to arm campus police. While Reinharz had what he perceived as students' interests in mind, he ultimately seems to be disregarding them. In contrast, a Brandeis for Barack trip to a New Hampshire children's fair to meet Michelle Obama reminded me of the influential role constituents should play in American politics.
Reinharz, during the meeting with Students Against the Decision to Arm, stated that student opinion was not relevant in coming to the arming decision. He emphasized that he could have reached his decision without even the token level of student representation that was present on the firearms advisory committee that recommended Reinharz to arm. He speoke about how mixed student reaction over potentially arming officers in 1995 in part led him to decide against arming. This time would be different; this time, he would act decisively.
This emphasis on autonomy is clearly justified because Reinharz is unaccountable to the student body. We only impact him peripherally when our protests perhaps attract media attention or influence donor influx. Student satisfaction does not factor into our school's rank in U.S. News and World Report, and it doesn't impact University fundraising. What is beneficial to the students, it seems, is not even close to the top of Reinharz's list of priorities.
It is clear that his constituents are elsewhere. Professors matter somewhat, and therefore, Reinharz sometimes addresses the faculty during monthly meeting. But really, donors are the main source of judgment. For this reason, donors have been able to influence the administration to act against student interest. The near scuttling of former President Jimmy Carter's visit last year, which brought recognition and praise to the institution is just one of the instances that can only be understood through this lens.
Last week, I attended a meeting between students and University President Jehuda Reinharz during which students protested how Reinharz decided to arm campus police. While Reinharz had what he perceived as students' interests in mind, he ultimately seems to be disregarding them. In contrast, a Brandeis for Barack trip to a New Hampshire children's fair to meet Michelle Obama reminded me of the influential role constituents should play in American politics.
Reinharz, during the meeting with Students Against the Decision to Arm, stated that student opinion was not relevant in coming to the arming decision. He emphasized that he could have reached his decision without even the token level of student representation that was present on the firearms advisory committee that recommended Reinharz to arm. He speoke about how mixed student reaction over potentially arming officers in 1995 in part led him to decide against arming. This time would be different; this time, he would act decisively.
This emphasis on autonomy is clearly justified because Reinharz is unaccountable to the student body. We only impact him peripherally when our protests perhaps attract media attention or influence donor influx. Student satisfaction does not factor into our school's rank in U.S. News and World Report, and it doesn't impact University fundraising. What is beneficial to the students, it seems, is not even close to the top of Reinharz's list of priorities.
It is clear that his constituents are elsewhere. Professors matter somewhat, and therefore, Reinharz sometimes addresses the faculty during monthly meeting. But really, donors are the main source of judgment. For this reason, donors have been able to influence the administration to act against student interest. The near scuttling of former President Jimmy Carter's visit last year, which brought recognition and praise to the institution is just one of the instances that can only be understood through this lens.
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