This year, Jieum, took the position of Korea University Student Association (KUSA) after the end of Godaegongamdae. A regime change always accompanies policy change. In doing this, there is a need for KUSA to reform their project plans with some degree of consistency, and also prioritize the student welfare.

 

Complaints about some short-lived policies have emerged among students recently because of the Chungchun card, which is no longer usable after Godaegonggamdae ended. The Chungchun card, which provided discount benefits to KU students in using entertainment facilities and restaurants, was popular among students, due to the fact that this Chungchun card policy made the returns from paying student association fee more visible and direct, which was not often the case in other projects by KUSA.

 

Besides the Chungchun card policy, Godaegonggamdae’s program that opposed the University Ranking Evaluation with the slogan “We Will Not Even Accept You Sincerity” also came to a halt, although the necessity for continuation remained controversial among students. It was a project that clearly criticized one of the most serious problems in our society, which is the instigation of university ranking and using such index as an important source when judging individuals.

 

It is an unavoidable situation that some businesses are no longer valid because the elected student association rebuilds its system based on the pledges they have held during the election campaign. However, several projects that were amiable to student welfare are sometimes being abruptly discarded. Thus, decisions should be made based on not only an open convergence of students’ ideas, but also communication with the Student Council of each department. The method of investigating demand surveys would be a way to have students’ preferences reflected.

 

Also, for projects that inevitably have to be replaced, it is better to put a valuable or profitable end to it. If they do not clearly visualize KUSA’s achievements in school businesses, ambiguity and chaos are going to be the first impression that comes to students’ mind. Thus, before introducing an alternative business plan, the newly elected student association must actively promote to students that the previous KUSA has made positive changes, and that on the same line, they are coming up with other projects that can help further development. This way, change can occur with some degree of continuity.

 

What KUSA is currently under is just like politics. Policy is based on its views of importance. Disputes arising from such changes are settled by communicating with the people, that is, the students, and coming up with better policies that can replenish aspects of dissatisfaction. Creating an open forum of active idea exchange is vital to achieving this, at least to prevent students from panicking over the revision of school policies.