I am writing in response to the editorial “Union leaders just blow smoke” by John Keramaris that appeared in yesterday’s DFP. I would like to begin by saying that the Guest Policy changes were not everything we asked for, but we do need to be grateful for the things that were changed. It was a huge success that the Guest Policy was changed at all. We need to build the administration’s trust. Maybe it’s not fair, but we need to prove that we are as responsible as what we have been trying to get across. Negotiations with administrators really do work. It is a slow process and it does take sacrifices on both behalf’s. Also, I take personal offense to the comment that Ethan Clay “has done nothing as Union president…and misrepresent[s] the student body’s real concerns.” I am proud to have someone with this much experience, compassion, and service-oriented ideas to serve as my president. He has represented the real concerns of the student body-he has taken them directly to Chancellor Silber himself. He has also begun to help bring back a spirit of unity and respect to this campus. I don’t even want to touch your last argument Mr. Keramaris, but it is absurd. Comments such as “general unproductiveness, misrepresentation, and [the] slate should step down” are a load of bull. This Union has completed more initiatives of it’s original platform and has been more open to student concerns than any other Union that I know of. Mr. Keramaris, I have a question for you, what have you done? I agree that if we want change we need large numbers, it needs to come from the entire student body. But it’s people like you Mr. Keramaris who make me mad. You whine and complain, but do you ever do anything about it? Mr. Keramaris what have you done to better this university? I remember that I e-mailed you last year in response to your editorial “Luncheon with the puppeteers” that appeared in the DFP on 01/25/02. As a senator from 1019 I invited you to walk with me to the Senate meetings on Monday’s so that you could voice your opinion, but you never came. I challenge you, Mr. Keramaris, to TAKE ACTION! DO SOMETHING!!! Otherwise Mr. Keramaris, it would appear that you are just like your perceived image of the Student Union…you’d just be blowing smoke…

Laura Hanson, Senate Vice-Chair ’02-’03