2008 Woodie Awards
LCCC Student Senate Elections, a democracy or aristocracy in action?
Patricia Bergquist
Issue date: 5/8/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Any one of the current candidates for the Student Senate offices at Lorain County Community College would probably do a nice job in their respective positions.
However, out of a population of 10,000 LCCC students, there should be more that just six candidates for the student senate offices.
It would be more evenhanded if the election committee running the election for the new student senate officers followed the Constitution of the Student Body of LCCC. In Section 7, Part A, Number 2; the election is to be held in the spring semester at least four weeks before the end of the semester. According to the LCCC Academic calendar, the Spring 2007 semester ends on May 16. Therefore, the elections should have been held on April 16 or before.
The packets for student senate candidates became available on March 28 according to a flyer that was pinned to bulletin boards. The flyer had a date stamp on it for April 5.
So between March 28 to April 30, candidates have only had 21 actual dates in which to obtain signatures and campaign. There was a week lost due to the later than usual spring break.
The packets for student senate candidates should have been available on March 1 to allow more people more time to decide to run. There would have been time to get the required number of signatures for the candidate petitions. There would have been time for candidates campaign. The campaign process should have allowed time for a debate, adequate coverage in the Collegian, LCCC's Duck Radio, and other outlets. All of these would have been to the benefit of those running for office and to the LCCC student body.
The LCCC Student Senate Election slated for May 1 to May 3 does not follow the process outlined in the LCCC Student Body Constitution because it is being held to late in the semester. Is this election valid? Why is the election being held so late in the semester? If there were more time to gather signatures and campaign, is it possible that more students might run?
Due to the circumstances of this election, anyone elected to office during this election should be considered interim for the summer term. A special new election should be held the sixth week of the Fall 2007 semester. This would allow a more equitable election that would give candidates adequate time to campaign, and the electors a chance to get to know their potential student leaders. With more students looking to get involved with LCCC student life activities, more than six people might choose to run.
However, out of a population of 10,000 LCCC students, there should be more that just six candidates for the student senate offices.
It would be more evenhanded if the election committee running the election for the new student senate officers followed the Constitution of the Student Body of LCCC. In Section 7, Part A, Number 2; the election is to be held in the spring semester at least four weeks before the end of the semester. According to the LCCC Academic calendar, the Spring 2007 semester ends on May 16. Therefore, the elections should have been held on April 16 or before.
The packets for student senate candidates became available on March 28 according to a flyer that was pinned to bulletin boards. The flyer had a date stamp on it for April 5.
So between March 28 to April 30, candidates have only had 21 actual dates in which to obtain signatures and campaign. There was a week lost due to the later than usual spring break.
The packets for student senate candidates should have been available on March 1 to allow more people more time to decide to run. There would have been time to get the required number of signatures for the candidate petitions. There would have been time for candidates campaign. The campaign process should have allowed time for a debate, adequate coverage in the Collegian, LCCC's Duck Radio, and other outlets. All of these would have been to the benefit of those running for office and to the LCCC student body.
The LCCC Student Senate Election slated for May 1 to May 3 does not follow the process outlined in the LCCC Student Body Constitution because it is being held to late in the semester. Is this election valid? Why is the election being held so late in the semester? If there were more time to gather signatures and campaign, is it possible that more students might run?
Due to the circumstances of this election, anyone elected to office during this election should be considered interim for the summer term. A special new election should be held the sixth week of the Fall 2007 semester. This would allow a more equitable election that would give candidates adequate time to campaign, and the electors a chance to get to know their potential student leaders. With more students looking to get involved with LCCC student life activities, more than six people might choose to run.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Jessica Fetter
posted 8/03/07 @ 9:38 AM EST
This opinionated article is a perfect example of the lack of communication and yellowed journalism that makes the media so untrustworthy these days. But, since this is your opnion, you may say what you wish-even if it makes you sound obtuse. (Continued…)
Aaron Weaver
posted 10/08/07 @ 3:06 PM EST
I have never seen a more accurate depiction of the student senate. It's funny how shady people can pull the most outlandish things, yet still maintain some sort of pseudo-honest image. (Continued…)
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