Readers react to a column about the ASWSU bill to raise the minimum required GPA for senators from 2.3 to 2.5. The bill failed to pass, and it would have excluded many students from participating. Grades aren’t a good indicator of leadership ability because they don’t account for other characteristics senators need, such as creative ability, good communication skills and being detail oriented.

Read the full column here.

Ethan Rosser: “The current standard allows people just above academic probation to be a WSU senator. Ridiculous. Forget raising the requirement to 2.5 — it should be 3.0 or possibly higher.”

Emerson Michael A Jr: “The requirement should be 3.5. If you are not capable of that then you should spend every second possible with that goal in mind. If you are not reaching your maximum potential then you are not needed in the political arena at any level. The country is full of both.”

Clara Oliver: “Tough cookies. If you cannot keep up with your studies you have no business in leadership positions. You’re here to be a student and that should come first.”

Luis Perez: “Leaders need to be held accountable. I was a student senator at PSU and I had a rough winter before graduating. My grades suffered and I could no longer serve. The end. I took responsibility and resigned so I could raise my grades. Not everyone is fit to serve. We all have lives outside of school, and these systems exist to hold people accountable.”

Jennifer Weir: “I had no idea the GPA requirement was so low. No wonder things are going the way they are. Let’s raise it to 3.0 and start getting some decent leadership.”