College Administration

[midwest82]

Hi! I live in Minnesota. I hope this is the right thread. I'm not sure how to handle this but I was told perhaps try and get some advice. I'm in college and serve on the student government. The current President of our government has done a lot of degrading of current and past senators, and has done so to me, but with a much harsher personal touch (as seen in online logs). She has also bad mouthed (verbally and as seen on paper) members of the student body.

After she went off the deep end and layed on the personal attacks towards me (this happened at the end of this last semester) I've faced a very hight amount of stress and anxiety as a result of her actions, as well as thinking of how this upcoming semester will be as we're both on the executive board. Even seeing her car randomly over the summer gets me in a panic like mode. I'm actually going to speak with a professional about it ,and they'll be able to provide documentation I'm sure. I've brought in our advisor as a mediator, and our President has refused to acknowledge me or show any interest of resolving anything. I've also spoke with one of our Deans. I was told our by laws will not allow administration the right to do anything. I find this disheartening as Administration/Deans/President run the campus. I see it as the school not providing me with a safe, secure and successful environment to learn in.

Personally I do not believe I should step down as she has initiated and driven a huge wedge into everything, yet if it comes down to sacrificing my position so that the student body is not led by somebody two faced with an imperious attitude, than I will. In the end since she's going against everything the government stands, and the college does not seem to want to assist in providing me with the environment they're obligated to provide, so is there any specific lawyer that could assist me? Thanks!

 

[Ohiogal]

Hi! I live in Minnesota. I hope this is the right thread. I'm not sure how to handle this but I was told perhaps try and get some advice. I'm in college and serve on the student government. The current President of our government has done a lot of degrading of current and past senators, and has done so to me, but with a much harsher personal touch (as seen in online logs). She has also bad mouthed (verbally and as seen on paper) members of the student body.

She is allowed not to like you and even allowed to disagree with you and to not be nice to you.

After she went off the deep end and layed on the personal attacks towards me (this happened at the end of this last semester) I've faced a very hight amount of stress and anxiety as a result of her actions, as well as thinking of how this upcoming semester will be as we're both on the executive board. Even seeing her car randomly over the summer gets me in a panic like mode. I'm actually going to speak with a professional about it ,and they'll be able to provide documentation I'm sure.

Okay. That hopefully will help you get stronger.

I've brought in our advisor as a mediator, and our President has refused to acknowledge me or show any interest of resolving anything. I've also spoke with one of our Deans. I was told our by laws will not allow administration the right to do anything. I find this disheartening as Administration/Deans/President run the campus. I see it as the school not providing me with a safe, secure and successful environment to learn in.

Is Student Government a class? Most student governments on campus are not run by the college per se but by the students. The students are the ones who control it.

Personally I do not believe I should step down as she has initiated and driven a huge wedge into everything,

Then don't step down.

yet if it comes down to sacrificing my position so that the student body is not led by somebody two faced with an imperious attitude, than I will.

Okay but you are being degrading to her. But if you step down then you will not be on the board which seems to imply that you are the two faced individual with an imperious attitude.

In the end since she's going against everything the government stands, and the college does not seem to want to assist in providing me with the environment they're obligated to provide, so is there any specific lawyer that could assist me? Thanks!

For what? To intervene in a squabble between two student government members that apparently are not mature? Nothing you said rises to the level of a lawsuit.

 

[quincy]

midwest82 - What you are dealing with is a bully. People often think of bullies as only existing in pre-schools or elementary schools or middle-schools, but the fact is, bullies exist everywhere - including high schools, on college campuses, and in the adult workplace.
Bullying is all about power. The best way to deal with the student government president is to remove her power.
Humor is one of the best ways to defuse a tense situation - many of the comedians today are comedians today because they were bullied as children and used humor to avoid it.
You can act as if her insults were offered sincerely, as if by a friend. Say "thank you".
The less you care about what this president says, the less power she has over you.
I am big on freedom of speech, even when the speech gets ugly. You can always respond to her comments with., "It is your right to say whatever you want".
You can ignore what she says (although sometimes this can be difficult to do).
You can be especially nice to her. This REALLY annoys a bully!
Generally, bullying gets worse before it gets better. Just stay calm. if you NEVER get upset, the bully has lost all power.
The bottom line is, EVERYBODY gets insulted sometimes. And when this student government president disappears, there will be other bullies you will encounter. In fact, some of the biggest bullies are adults.
I hope the situation resolves itself soon. I certainly wouldn't quit your position on the student government board because of one obnoxious person.