[UA] Frustrated? Strengthen YOUR MIT! Make YOUR voice heard!

[UA President]

Dear undergraduates,

I want to take a second to lend my perspective on what appears to be growing
frustration among the student body and to invite you to get involved.

SHORT VERSION:
1) Sunday, April 6 at 4pm (W20-400): UA Nominations Committee Town Hall Meeting
2) Sunday, April 6 at 7pm (1st Floor Student Center):  UAP/VP Debate
3) Wednesday, April 9 at 7pm (W20-400):  UA Committee on Student Involvement
4) Monday, April 14 at 8pm (W20-400):  UA Senate with MIT Chairman Dana Mead
5) Anytime:  Email your thoughts or ideas to ua at mit.edu

LONG VERSION:
This year we have been lucky to see many student goals come to life. 
Unfortunately, we sometimes have no opportunity to provide a student
perspective on some of the most important issues around campus.  Any student
who closely follows The Tech or occasionally reads a UA Newsletter would be
aware of these challenges, ranging from dining to dormitory transitions to a
general feeling that student support has dwindled.

The UA has been working quite hard to address these issues.  Though we try to be
as transparent as possible, many students have no idea what the UA is doing for
them.  To shed some light, I first offer the following document which outlines
a few major accomplishments and initiatives throughout the year:
http://web.mit.edu/goholmes/www/UA/UA_Projects.doc

Next, I want to inform you of our plans to address these broader issues.  Since
October we have been meeting with senior administrators to lobby for greater
student involvement in institute decision-making.  Despite many positive
conversations with administrators, we have been occasionally disappointed by
campus decisions and controversies.  It sometimes appears that students are not
informed of the important decisions that impact them until it is too late.  To
address this, we have first drafted an article for the Faculty Newsletter, in
collaboration with the GSC, the Chancellor, and the Vice President.  You will
be able to find this article at http://web.mit.edu/fnl on Monday.  Now, we hope
to expand our efforts.  Now, we hope to get you involved.

In the coming days, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to join our
cause and fight for greater student engagement.  Below, I outline a few ways to
get involved:

1) Sunday, April 6 at 4pm (W20-400):  UA Nominations Committee Town Hall Meeting
-- an opportunity to speak with the students representing you on Institute
Committees

2) Sunday, April 6 at 7pm (1st Floor Student Center):  UA President / Vice
President Debate -- learn about future UA leaders and ask them your questions
(and get free pizza!)

3) Wednesday, April 9 at 7pm (W20-400):  UA Committee on Student Involvement
meeting -- a chance to talk strategically about working with the administration
to strengthen student involvement

4) Monday, April 14 at 8pm (W20-400):  UA Senate Meeting with Dana Mead,
Chairman of the Corporation -- an opportunity to ask your most pressing
questions of one of the most influential leaders at MIT

5) Anytime:  Email your thoughts or ideas to ua at mit.edu

The UA is here to represent you and we want to know your ideas.  Please let me
know if there is anything I can do to better represent your interests.

Thanks!
Martin Holmes
President, Undergraduate Association