The entire focus of my September Viewpoint, "MUSG lacks a true face," was lost in a barrage of numbers and acronyms from MUSG. The exact cost or life of flat screen TVs, even the fact that MUSG spends twice as much on concerts versus academic speaking engagements, is irrelevant when one considers the utter isolation of MUSG from the student body.

Brock Banks pointed out (on www.gop3.com and in his Sept. 22 Viewpoint) that I have not attended a single MUSG meeting during his tenure as senator (although I have spoken with many senators at other times). This is because I, like thousands of other highly engaged students, have other commitments during that time, often including any number of student organization events and meetings. I, like other students, do not have the time to come and count votes or listen to senators discuss the management of MUSG funds, nor should the majority of the student body have to. That is why we took the time to elect representatives to the Marquette Student Government.

Elected public servants at every level have to beat down doors to engage the public; this should be no different for MUSG. I would like to ask you the same question you have asked me: When was the last time MUSG senators (let alone Alex Hermanny or Beth Feste) attended a student organization meeting to feel the true pulse of the student? Each senator could take one or two groups and attend a meeting or practice to discuss for five minutes the organization's needs and advancements. Simply opening up a portion of your meetings is not enough you need to show your commitment to the student body and attend ours.

Students should not have to come into the office to access pertinent information. Activities and schedules are available on the Internet, so why can't the MUSG budget be? Banks stated that roll call votes were taken at the last meeting. Where are the results? Our student fees were recently increased. Where does the money go? We have a "reserve fund" with more than $100,000 in it. Why is it almost as inaccessible and secretive as the student government?

Serious effort is necessary to keep this university on the path to greatness. MUSG has to reach out to the students, not just expect them to attend Senate meetings or forums, and the student body needs to respond in a constructive and straight-forward manner. This open exchange of ideas along with the accountability brought on by roll call votes, mandated by the MUSG constitution and made available to the students, will be a revolutionary step towards our goal.