Last Thursday the Board of Regents town hall meeting that I was fortunate enough to attend. The town hall came in reaction to the uproar over the budget cuts and pressure put on by groups like the ABC Coalition. Upon leaving the Board of Regents meeting, I am now fully convinced that they do not have the students’ best interest in mind.

The entire meeting was recorded by Adam de la Cruz, who unfortunately was unable to put it on YouTube yet due to technical difficulties. When he does, I will post the major highlights from the meeting I am going to talk about. There are two major moments from the meeting that I remember vividly:

1.) Regent Bill Gates Sr. falling asleep during the meeting. May someone ask me why is he on the board of regents if he can’t stay awake during such major events? I know Gates has done a lot for the school, and deserves recognition, but shouldn’t such an important position be held by someone who is capable of running it?

2.) The chair of the Board of Regents, Craig W. Cole, when asked if the Board has yet thought about cutting upper administration salaries to help lower costs, Cole refused to respond saying they are just there to “listen.”

First, may I ask why the Board needs to create a Town Hall just to hear people vent? Are you telling me the Board of Regents are so out of touch with the student body, they are not aware that many students are incredibly angry over it? Are you telling me they never got reports from the ASUW Senate condemning the decision to eliminate the swimming teams? Are you telling me they never got Anttimo Bennett’s letter full of first person stories on how the budget cuts will effect students?

In times of crisis leaders are suppose to speak to their people and try to explain what is happening. The Board of Regents has not only failed in this; but has refused to do so. They still have not made any public remarks on the issues students brought up; there has been no news of possible changes in budget cuts; and departments and programs are still not hearing news of being cut severely until the last moment. Last week, the Disability Studies learned that they were having their program completely cut. What the heck happened to communication at this school?

This is disgusting; the Board of Regents have not only completely bowed down to budget cuts but have shown absolute refusal to take responsibility or even TRY to communicate with students. Is this the people making decisions for our school? A board who has members that fall asleep during meetings or refuse to answer questions directed by the people they are suppose to serve? Who are they representing the interest of? The state government that has screwed over the students of the state that appointed them?

And where is Mark Emmert? People are panicking; calling for cutting his salary; and even for his head. He is the President of this University, where is the leadership that the President should show? Why is our President taking a vacation out of the country during this time?

The University of Washington, if it wants to keep its reputation as one of the best schools in the country, needs to have real leadership that actually represents its students when needed. Not a bunch of political appointees who do not even go to campus. As a graduating senior, I am ashamed.