Student Association elections are upon us - finally. And perhaps it's the leftover enthusiasm of the Barack Obama victory, or the general unhappiness over this year's administration, or some combination thereof, but more candidates are running than in most students' recent recollection.
What a week it's bound to be.
Each presidential candidate has major obstacles to overcome.
As Editor in Chief of this paper, it would be an obvious conflict of interest for me to run for a student government position. That being said, every student should give some careful consideration to what they would do for the students if the keys to one of the offices at 350 Student Union were handed over to us.
Undertaking these considerations, I present to you some of the issues that are most important to me: what I would do if I were in charge, and the questions that still linger after hearing the candidates speak numerous times.
Use it as a mock version of your own.
Club whoring
Clubs are frustrated - and rightfully so. What are their budgets based on? It's a surprise each year, really, but at the core, it's a system where organizations bow down to the almighty treasurer and prostitute themselves for dough. Don't get me wrong, clubs should have to help out at events like Spring Fest in exchange for the dinero they receive, but there need be a line between a barter system and the personalized allotment of funds.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Clubs should be held in high reverence because they are, arguably, the most visible part of SA. Every student should genuinely have the opportunity to participate in student government.
Moreover, groups that aren't affiliated with SA should be treated with dignity in their dealings with the government (The Spectrum and other on-campus publications, Athletics and the Residence Hall Association are all good examples of groups that have been treated in a less-than-dignified way by the current administration).
You don't want representatives who are rude and who do not follow simple business courtesy, or the ways in which to conduct themselves respectfully and professionally, despite conflict.
Transparency
But it's more than that. It's not just a visible budget and observable spending. It's about being part of the initial decision-making. It's not just, "Where is my money going?" but, "Where do I want it to go?"
Fest
Do most students know about Fall and Spring Fest? No. When I was a commuter, I had no idea and most students still don't. It's not about advertising. It's about students knowing that these things happen to begin with and that there's a government organizing them. Do most undergrads know what SA is? Absolutely not, that is the sad reality.
Health
Why isn't more done to help useful and truly meaningful services? Examples include the Anti-Rape Task Force services, health education services, transportation and textbooks. UB Idol and the like are great programs, but let us consider putting some emphasis on the services that could really make a difference in the lives of students.
Visions
Needs to be better. While many would advocate the demise of the SA-propaganda machine, there is a lot of value in this publication. People read it, so let the students know what's going on in it. Print more. Cover more. Distribute more. Do more with the wonderful gloss that is this magazine.
Reality
I really don't want to hear half-truths and B.S. Can you buy the student body's vote? Probably. That's not what's best for the students and the people who matter. Clubs and students otherwise involved in SA functions will not benefit from inflated promises.
And delegates from all parties: Are you going to be the people who do more than twiddle their thumbs while tuition is raised, not to benefit students but to fix a state budget crisis? Do you have what it takes to look real politicians in the eye and say "no"?
That's just the tip of the iceberg. At this juncture, the dawn of election week, we the students must consider: What is truly important to us?
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
