You'll be bombarded with hundreds of problems, complaints, ideas, and opportunities. In seconds, you can identify 20, 30, or even 50 worthwhile things for SG to work on. But only a couple can be priorities.
Is there really a problem?
Personal anecdotes matter. But they're a reason to investigate, not proof.
SGs hear complaints all the time. Just don't do anything until you find out
what's really happening.
- Who is affected?
- How many students are affected?
- How often does it happen?
- What evidence do we have?
- Are we investigating the problem
- or have we already jumped to a solution?
2. Prove Students Care
Have you asked them?
You don't know what students want just because two people spoke at an SG meeting, commented on Insta, complained to your SG vice president, or signed a petition.
Go find out. And don't just act after the comments of a handful of angry students. Make sure you're hearing from everyone.
Don't speak for students you haven't talked to.
→ Connect With Your Students
3. Do Your Homework
You aren't the first to come up with this idea.
Before starting from scratch, investigate:
Has a previous SG tried this?
Did administrators consider it before?
Was a proposal rejected? Why?
Did something similar once exist? What happened?
Check old SG minutes and records. Talk with former officers, advisors and administrators who've been around awhile.
Steal the lessons. Not just the idea.
Find out how other colleges did it, who runs it, how long it took, what it costs, and if it actually works.
Use the SG Database and ASGA research.
Who Have You Forgotten?
Most ideas look easy. At first. But then Legal and Finance and Facilities and IT and Faculty Senate and the Board all have roles you never considered.
5. What's the Price Tag?
Cost isn't just cash.
Money
How much? One-time or recurring? Who pays?
Time
Weeks? Months? Years?
People
Who will have to work on it?
Approvals
Who has to say yes?
Expertise
What help and knowledge will you need?
Continuity
Will today's officers still be around at the end?
Every yes means no to something else.
Ask Someone Who Disagrees With You
"What are we missing?"
Not because they're always right. They may see consequences you don't.
7. Check Your Ego
Why are you really doing this?
Are students asking for this or do we personally want it?
Did we promise it before we understood it?
Are we trying to solve a problem or attract attention?
Would we still pursue it if nobody knew SG was responsible?
There's nothing wrong with getting attention for good work.
But personal accolades must not turn a weak idea into a top priority.
Check Your Ego
8. What Are Your Odds?
Now put everything on the table.
Only now should you decide how realistic this is.
Not from the first complaint.
Not because the treasurer loves the idea.
Not because another college did it.
Based on what you know now.
What does success look like?
What has to happen to get there?
What could keep it from happening?
If you can't answer those yet, don't make this a top priority.
9. Is It Worth It?
Now put it all together.
You've done the homework. Talked with students. Investigated. You know the costs. The players. The risks. And your odds.
Does this deserve your SG's time and attention?
