Student government at Monash University's Caulfield campus (Australia) recently passed a rule disallowing international students to run for office. With international students representing 62% of the total student population, the purpose of the rule is obvious - denial of representation and a message that international students don't matter. The election was quickly cancelled and the student government claimed to have introduced the rule to clarify how much time it takes to be involved in student government.
Helping students understand their role in creating a welcoming campus environment, especially for international students, is essential if situations like the Monash University example are to be avoided. The exclusion rule raises questions about how much time/effort student government participation should require as well as what role student governments have in representing and embracing all their constituents.
Helping students understand their role in creating a welcoming campus environment, especially for international students, is essential if situations like the Monash University example are to be avoided. The exclusion rule raises questions about how much time/effort student government participation should require as well as what role student governments have in representing and embracing all their constituents.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.