Letter to the Editor: 'I'm Just a Bill'

Dear All Stetson University Students,

As a senator of your great institution, and I do mean your institution, I would like to apologize and beseech your forgiveness for the complete lack of representation you have received in the past weeks. As many of you know there is a very controversial bill that was just passed that dealt a blow to every member of the Nicotine Imbibing Community.

What seemed clear to me, as a representative elected by the students and for the students, was that none of you were adequately represented in the overwhelming debate and discussion of the infamous SMOKING BILL. What was also clear and I am speaking to all the senators of THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF STETSON, is they are more concerned with getting out of a senate meeting without even discussing the bill at hand then expressing your views.

The bill in question would limit smoking around residence halls to at least 20 feet away. While this does not seem like very much, if one has looked at the close proximity on the buildings and halls on campus those areas are few and far between. I see this, as most should, as the precedent for a complete banishment of all smoking on campus. I know there are those out there who would have that right to student completely taken away but I ask you, what will go next? The argument put forth is to clean the air, which I am all for but once you open a door to take a freedom away from an individual its almost impossible to close it again. Where will the "Freedom Taking" end, with a more stringent alcohol policy, stricter visitation guidelines, a curfew for all students? An extreme example, but something to think about. But I do not attack the bill; I attack the manner in which it was ratified by the senators on the floor.

For those who do not know how Senate bills start the road to become new Stetson University policy, a bill is suggested and then it is brought before the committee it falls under, after approval it is brought before the floor, Authorship speeches and questions are addressed by the senators after which point Open Discussion on the bill commences. On the second smoking bill there was no open discussion on the bill to ban smoking from Residence Halls. That means, points of view on both sides of the issue represented by that bill could not be considered. Why was there no open discussion? The senate meeting ran a little later and people wanted to get out of the meeting to do other things. The bill was simply voted on. I find the complete lack of dedication of every member who sits on that floor, disgusting. If you do not want to talk about the issues at hand, then do not become a senator.

Again all students I am sorry for all of our poor behavior and for betraying the trust you implanted in us all. But I ask all of you who feel strongly about the issues at hand and future matters that affect all students of Stetson to get involved. Make your voices heard because it obviously will not be intoned by the people you elected.

Sincerely, Kyle Schmitt Embarrassed Senator