A bright USG future

Given that the USG needs the support of the administration to accomplish nearly anything, the fact that Diemand-Yauman understands that the USG has to build strong relationships with administrators to significantly impact University policy is promising. Diemand-Yauman's track record also shows his potential: As Class of 2010 president and a member of various University committees, Diemand-Yauman has established good working relationships with administrators.

In a meeting with the editorial board, Diemand-Yauman said he sees a need to move the USG to a flatter, less hierarchical structure. Given the USG's significant growth under current president Josh Weinstein '09, Diemand-Yauman should give priority to promoting more openness and coordination within the USG.

Diemand-Yauman's pledge to continue gathering student opinion and concerns is also important. The board has consistently advocated for the USG to find ways to use information collected from students to inform its decisions. Diemand-Yauman will need to work to bring the USG's direct engagement with students beyond cupcakes and e-mails. The board supports his pledge to use study breaks and giveaways as vehicles to solicit information from students. His plan to create student focus groups to help the USG assess student concerns and brainstorm solutions is also an excellent idea.

Diemand-Yauman told the board that his top priority is addressing alcohol policy on campus, a concern the board shares. He wants to address what he calls "conflicting amnesty policies that exist in the University and the Borough," which he is correct to think "could literally mean the difference between life or death for students." In a good sign of his ability to work well with the administration, he has teamed up with Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Victoria Jueds, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Hilary Herbold GS '97 and Public Safety to talk through this issue with Borough officials - an excellent first step.

Diemand-Yauman's plan to undertake, analyze and release another survey like the Committee on Background and Opportunity (COMBO) survey during his term could have the biggest impact on informing University policy. The board lauds this effort to marshal more facts, which will foment a community-wide discussion on the impact of recent changes, such as the opening of the four-year college system, that have occurred since COMBO was administered two years ago.

As he works to strengthen USG relations with the administration, Diemand-Yauman should be careful that he continues to fight vigorously for student interests even if they are sometimes unpopular with administrators. The student body does not need the administration to have another rubber-stamping student organization at its disposal. But given his pragmatic approach to the USG, his keen understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, he inherits and his ongoing efforts to work closely with administrators, his term as USG president looks promising.