This House Committee assists the College Student Committee (CSC), the Residential Assistants (RAs), the Graduate Fellows (GFs) and the Resident Fellows (RFs) to organize and administrate events and activities for their House/ the College. (Look here for a recap on Tembusu's leadership positions.)
The thing about the House Committee is that it's turned out to be such an unpopular position. It's a strange thing considering the competition that arises for all the other student leadership positions (i.e. RAs and CSC). The recent House Committee elections this week also confirms my suspicions. As far as I know, there are way more people who drop out of running for House Committee than there are people who volunteer for a position. The candidates who do run, end up campaigning almost reluctantly. Voting is quite unexciting. In short, the House Committee simply doesn't have that social glitter about it.
What I can't figure out is why. My guess is because it's a very un-incentivized position. More than just socially. The CSC and RA positions have very clear benefits (or compensations, depending on which way you look at it). Both positions gain a lot of attention and influence and look pretty good on the portfolio. From what I hear
As such, these positions require strongly motivated, highly enthused individuals who can muster enough initiative to be an unsung hero who enjoys being with people, caring for their welfare and happiness, and most of all not mind taking the lead. Although I have no doubt these people do exist, they are either quite hard to find or are already too busy fulfilling some other incentivized leadership role.
It's a very interesting problem isn't it? We do have a lot of potential this semester though. It seems that the Freshies are super on about what seems like everything. Most of the House Committee positions were filled by Freshies anyway (but even they didn't show much excitement at the prospect of running for House Committee). I suppose time will tell if their energy can sustain them. If that is the case and the current Wing Leaders can rally their Houses, Wing Leaders may one day become sufficiently respectable, or at least fashionable enough, for the next generation to covet the position.
*Corrected on 04/09/12: So it turns out the CSC don't get any such priority. Apologies for the error. Thank you alittlechirpybird and ~14.
Hi Gint (whoever you are)! As a fellow Tembusian, it's great to see someone finally able to voice their frank opinion about things that are happening within Tembusu. Kudos to you for that!
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is something that disturbs me. Sometimes you make really insightful statements, and I'm impressed. But many of the statements that you make seem to be based on hearsay, and not actual fact. Before I point them out, I wanted to ask you something. As someone new to your blog, do you actually check out those statements or you've just guessed from rumors? It's one thing to justify it as your opinion, but writing as a Tembusian about Tembusu don't you care if those ficticious statements unnecessarily affect friends around you?
Hello little chirpy friend! I'm glad you brought this up. I verify the things that are within my ability to verify, but most of what I write about is based on my own observations. I can assure you that I definitely do not base my views purely on what people tell me.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't claim anything to be "fact" either. Most of what I write about is a matter of opinion, and the choice to believe anything belongs to the reader. In fact, I would be happy to have a reader refute my opinions. Everything is open to discussion.
If it is worth anything, it is because I am a fellow Tembusian who cares and wants to affect the college (in a good way), that I say the things I say. As far as I am concerned, I believe everything I write. If any points I've made are proven to be false, bring it up! You can be assured I will make the required amendments.
Pls check & qualify: CSC don't receive any room preferences. If you have heard that they do, it is wrong.
ReplyDeleteJust to contextualise as well, RAs are provided with lodging because they serve a very specific purpose within the college. Essentially they are employed to fulfil that. Common practice throughout NUS residences, not unique to Tembusu.
Alright! I like your open reply. I shall return the favor by going directly to pointing out some inaccuracies in your post. Where to start? Let's start with the fact that House Committee elections were different for every house! I'm curious which house you're from as I haven't seen an unenthusiastic House Elections so far. Those that I witnessed had a lot of hype and both freshmen and seniors made a big deal of it (i.e. Shan and Tancho are two of those that I've seen, can't speak for the rest as I haven't). Another thing is that as far as I know, CSC members don't have any privileges of room choice, in fact they have little incentive, perhaps even lesser than RAs (perhaps other than the portfolio part). The RAs aren't exactly student leaders either, they have roughly the same job scope as the GFs, and hence are rightfully compensated with lodging fees.
ReplyDelete~14, Thank you for your feedback. I know the practice of having RAs is not unique to Tembusu, but the combination of having both RAs and a CSC is (from what I gather. I could be wrong again!)
ReplyDeletealittlechirpybird, Point taken, on the House elections. But I'm coming from a broader standpoint. I'm considering the previous House Committee elections, and contrasting that with CSC's.
ReplyDeleteAs for the RAs, I know the definitions of whether they can be considered student leaders is a bit gray, but I have chosen to analyze it from that standpoint. I believe they hold some degree of authority (from a social standpoint, albeit "unofficial"), and I wish acknowledge that.