At the start of the semester, the Editorial Board argued that reforming the USG should be the new president’s top priority — especially given last semester’s slipshod election. Taking positive steps in this direction, Diemand-Yauman has instituted new ethics standards for all USG members and is in the process of taking away his own power to spend up to $1000 without justification. Along similar lines, a committee is working on cleaning up the USG constitution and its election rules. Establishing an ethos of credibility and reform within the USG is important, and Diemand-Yauman should be credited with making early changes toward that end.
But the USG is most effective when it has the respect of both the student body and the University’s administration. It was disturbing, therefore, when the ‘Prince’ reported earlier this year that the USG’s relationship with administrators had become strained. In contrast to this, two of Diemand-Yauman’s central initiatives — working with Dean Nancy Malkiel on explaining grade deflation to those outside the University and with OIT in exploring a printing quota — have been the product of major and so far fruitful interactions with administrators. We hope that this continues, and establishes a foundation for USG-administrator collaboration in the future.
In terms of concrete policy, Diemand-Yauman has established working groups exploring, among other things: sustainability, voting reform, cost-saving strategies and mental health. All of these are large, important areas of concern. A USG focused and organized on such long-term initiatives has the potential to substantially impact student life, and we are hopeful that this approach will best answer the major questions facing the student body. But without tangible results from these committees currently available, any evaluation of Diemand-Yauman’s successes is premature: Ultimately, his term will hinge on the results of his ambitious initiatives.
But Diemand-Yauman’s term thus far has also been characterized by a lack of information flowing from the USG to the student body. Though previous presidents have been criticized for their excessive e-mail updates, Diemand-Yauman has gone too far in the other direction. Though information is available on the USG’s website regarding the USG’s initiatives, we are concerned that too few students are accessing this information. By emailing the student body on a monthly or bi-weekly basis, Diemand-Yauman would ensure that students have a basic understanding of USG activities.
Still, Diemand-Yauman appears to have created a sound framework from which the USG can productively and effectively represent Princeton students. As we watch the USG’s initiatives unfold, we hope that Diemand-Yauman will be able to capitalize on this start.
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