Associated Student Government President Ben Linzey began his report at the Aug. 30 meeting with a prepared and composed response to the Criterion editorial entitled “CMU is boring.” Linzey told senators that he had received many complaints regarding the article, some of which asked him to denounce The Criterion and its position. Linzey said he would not condemn the paper.

Instead, Linzey told senators that he came to Colorado Mesa University because he didn’t want the “classic college experience.” He wanted to be part of a university that was still growing and changing.

“I wanted to be one of the individuals that came to CMU to help give it an identity, to give it a banner I would be proud of, to help create the Mavily,” Linzey said. 

Linzey asked senators to lead by example in response to the editorial and go to CMU events, support departments and organizations across campus and connect with students they meet on campus. 

“I am giving you the freedom to shape this school, ” Linzey said. “The students that elected you gave you the freedom to shape it. The reality is, is that we are the leaders of this student body and it is up to us to ensure that we are creating the best possible experience for all.”

Vice President Gabby Gile echoed the president’s viewpoint at the end of her report as well. Gile admitted that upon first reading the editorial, she was upset, similar to other students. However, she reminded the senators to keep in mind the goals they set for ASG at the end of last year, such as being a transparent, accessible body for constituents.  

“I think it’s never a good thing when even one constituent is upset about involvement on campus,” Gile said.

Gile continued by encouraging senators to take action if they are angry with the positions stated in the editorial, and remember the effect that they can have at CMU. She also suggested senators attend more campus events so that ASG will have a more visible presence on campus, a position that supported the president’s previous report.

“If this article pisses you off, then lead,” Linzey said. “Because if we lead, if we do what I believe we can do, then we will not only define what this Mavily will be for this year, but we will define what the Mavily will be for years to come.”