Since the decision to implement the Select 2000 initiative at SIUC was made, greek leaders have complained about their inability to have input about the program.

But at last Wednesday’s final Select 2000 steering committee meeting, greek leaders squandered an opportunity to provide the input that they so vocally have sought.

Three weeks ago, the SIUC administration asked Nick Dodd, the Interfraternity Council president, to bring an addendum to the Select 2000 document, which will be presented Dec. 10 to Harvey Welch, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. The addendum was to state the student position on Select 2000 and what students say should be done about the tenet that bans alcohol parties in greek chapter houses and annexes.

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Mike Echevarria, Inter-Greek Council president, was to discuss the grade point average and evaluation aspects of the program with the IGC council. All four greek leaders on the committee were supposed to bring indicators that would define a greek party.

However, of those four students, three attended and the input they gave was impractical and shaky. They were simply unprepared. They had nothing in writing, and seemed more interested in asking what if questions rather than developing a solution with which the administration and greeks could live.

This was a chance for the students to develop practical solutions to the alcohol ban in writing. There have been no written proposals from the students save an IFC resolution chastising the administration, condemning the initiative and calling for its immediate suspension.

But at Wednesday’s meeting, everyone showed up empty-handed without solutions to an issue they have opposed for three months. This was their chance to help develop the definition of a greek party obviously an important definition as greeks have complained that alcohol ban restricts their social life.

Because of student ineptness, administrators scheduled another meeting for this Wednesday. This gracious second opportunity for students to have input should not have been necessary.

But because it has been provided, it is in the best interest of students to provide their gripes, solutions and alternatives in writing.

The administration finally gave the students what they wanted a voice. And it went unused. What does that say about the apathy of SIUC students?

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Now they have one more chance to put their ideas in front of the administration. Instead of perpetually whining about not having any influence, they should utilize this opportunity to make their voices heard, or risk being silent forever. They should attend with the necessary information well-written and documented to support their arguments.

The Daily Egyptian has lobbied for greater student input since the opposition. Now, we believe you have your chance for input. The administration has given the greeks an extra chance to be heard. Use it, or stop complaining.