Student Association elections have become a joke, and not a very funny one. After reading this year's Spectrum endorsements, I am reminded of how familiar this year's campaign statements are and wonder where it was I heard them before. That's right, they seem familiar because they so closely resemble the words spoken by the winning party of the last two years.
Every year, candidates say how they want to get the average student involved in SA, yet when you look at the credentials of those running for the executive board, the list of SA activities they have been involved with is almost endless. For example, Anthony Burgio is currently a sophomore, and he has gotten his hand involved in more activities SA-related than most students will in their entire UB careers. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing. In fact, one could commend him for having the dedication and drive to do these things, but it (is) things like this that make the average student hesitant to get involved. Walk into the SA office, and what do you see? Everyone knows one another, everyone is always friendly with one another, yet no one ever seems to go out of their way to make new people feel welcome. That is, unless you seem to fit the mold of what is desirable, if you are someone who seems to have what it takes to make through the gauntlet and survive four years of SA, well, then, welcome to the club, you now have acceptance and maybe a shot at the presidency.
In my opinion, SA has done a meager job of getting new students involved and listening to the word of the students. What new programs have been offered? Other than fests, what does SA offer students not involved with clubs? For the past two years, SA has remained on the same track, promising to get new students involved and make changes, yet the only thing that changes is the person making these promises.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
