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Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026
The Daily Pennsylvanian

EDITORIAL: The Last Straw

The Student ActivitiesThe Student ActivitiesCouncil meeting ThursdayThe Student ActivitiesCouncil meeting Thursdaynight offers the perfectThe Student ActivitiesCouncil meeting Thursdaynight offers the perfectexample why studentThe Student ActivitiesCouncil meeting Thursdaynight offers the perfectexample why studentgovernment is associatedThe Student ActivitiesCouncil meeting Thursdaynight offers the perfectexample why studentgovernment is associatedwith apathy and ineptitude.The Student ActivitiesCouncil meeting Thursdaynight offers the perfectexample why studentgovernment is associatedwith apathy and ineptitude.____________________________ The meeting was a disgrace, characterized by unprofessionalism and representative of a student government spiraling out of control. Barely half of SAC's membership attended what was supposedly an "emergency" meeting announced last Monday -- a tell-tale sign that apathy and laziness are now firmly rooted in the organization. After the body spent its time arguing and complaining that the meeting was useless and unproductive, the students voted to adjourn the so-called "emergency" meeting before any discussion about constitutional reform. The meeting's agenda was not completed. To make matters worse, Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Dan Debicella actually asked the body not to vote in tomorrow's election. Hoping that student government constitutional reform will fail, Debicella arrogantly and selfishly advocated non-participation. As UA chairperson, Debicella should set an example by advocating access to student government and heightened participation, but instead he shows a complete lack of faith in the very constituents he is supposed to represent. Debicella has decided constitutional reform is unnecessary and rather than letting the community decide for itself, he hopes tomorrow will end with low voter turn out and continued distrust in student government so that his vision can reign supreme. We find his actions completely unacceptable and irresponsible for a student leader supposedly representing all undergraduates. The ability to change and reform student government is in the hands of the University community. If you do not vote in tomorrow's election, nothing will ever change. But if you take the time to make an informed decision about candidates and reform proposals, then maybe we all can send a message to the clowns currently running the circus called student government that we demand strong proactive leaders who will be held accountable to their constituents.