By
Student government association elections, at least at this university, are irritating. And not just from this newspaper editor’s point of view. They irk me as a student too.
This year’s candidates, just like those from last year and the year before, are unoriginal. Sure, they all have “issues” to talk about, but none of them offer anything new.
Take communication for example. I can’t count the number of candidates running for office this year who have said in interview after interview how important communication is. They all want to create it, improve it or expand it. But if communicating amongst ourselves, or even with faculty who work all around us, is really as much of an issue as unnecessary athletic fees, we have real problems. Phoning, writing and meeting shouldn’t be so hard to master.
This thought comes with an important message: stop generating so many e-mails and PowerPoint presentations in lieu of doing actual work. I don’t see this happening anytime soon, though; so maybe I’ll try strangling myself with the telephone cord next time you call to ask for my vote or talk more about communicating.
Parking is another one of these issues. Candidates with special magic wands have been flying about campus the past few weeks promising to poof parking spaces into existence around a land-locked campus.
It won’t happen. Until a candidate presents a well-researched and thoroughly-diagrammed plan to fund and execute a garage expansion, I won’t be impressed. Nevertheless, that’s pretty improbable, so get a new issue.
Had everyone not recently learned the same “fight tuition” song and dance routine, I’d suggest adopting that issue for a change. But it too is worn out, not to mention that it’s an unfair battle cry. Candidates don’t really have enough time to fix tuition because they are only elected to one-year terms. Though some may serve SGA for multiple years, it is still impossible to combat the rising utility costs and inflation that are ultimately responsible for the hikes.
The most any student elected to SGA can do is organize. A strong and united student voice is always needed to urge policy makers to support higher education. Not even the wizardry of the parking space wand can compare to the effect thousands of students descending on the state Capital could have, especially if they did it more than once a year.
Candidates who spoke with The Cardinal before the start of the voting period also talked about the importance of the campaigning process. Many said, more or less, that it’s key to present a clear platform to students so they know what they’re voting for.
And these candidates are right. I want to know exactly how they stand on all the issues they have, but I don’t want to see their views on a leaflet they shove in my face as I come out of class or go to the SAC. And I especially don’t want to receive said leaflet from someone who looks like a used car salesman.
Unfortunately, candidates, appearance matters to voters. I’ll be sure to remember you if you swarm me in an over-the-top suit-and-tie get-up. I’ll remember not to vote for you, that is.
Everyone knows you’re a student too, so we have no problem with you speaking to us on the sidewalk with your jeans and backpack on. And don’t get me wrong, cleaning up is nice too; just don’t overdo it when you dress to impress.
Editor in Chief Chris Brown is a junior majoring in biology and Spanish. E-mail him at cbrown@louisvillecardinal.com.
