2008 Woodie Awards
Senate elections more a stroll than a race
Maureen Catalano '09
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: News
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With the upcoming University Student Senate elections scheduled to take place on Nov. 28 and 29, all of the executive board positions have candidates running unopposed. Last year's ballots were relatively barren as well, beginning a trend that is starting to worry some of the University community.
Last year's Vice Presidents for Academics, Finance, and Student Affairs all ran unchallenged. Among those currently involved in the Senate, there are mixed opinions as to why this lack of candidates is occurring with more prominence over the past two years.
Jim Finore, '07, Student Body President, believes that the lack of participation is due to the extensive time commitment needed to keep on top of USS affairs as well as schoolwork and personal affairs. "I think that a lot of students are stretched for time and they realize the commitment that it takes [to be on the executive board]. They have the desire, just not the time," said Finore. He believes that there are many students who are qualified for the positions on the executive board, but they just lack the time or are involved in too many other organizations.
Finore believes that the lack of candidates will not affect the quality of the Senate since the Student Body President requires one year of experience on USS while all other executive board members must be involved in a student organization for one year to be eligible to run. He stressed the importance of this as a "stepping stone" to becoming a Vice President, because it teaches the time commitments and dedication needed to be successful. The office of Student Body President is particularly demanding in this regard, Finore said. "It is a position that absolutely requires at least a 10 hour day."
Mary-Elaine Perry, Assistant Vice President for Student Development of the Office of the Vice President of Student Life and temporary advisor for the USS, has a somewhat different explanation. She is disappointed in the lack of numbers. "I sense that students look at someone and say 'that person's working hard toward that position' and assume that it's theirs so they don't want to oppose them," said Perry.
Last year's Vice Presidents for Academics, Finance, and Student Affairs all ran unchallenged. Among those currently involved in the Senate, there are mixed opinions as to why this lack of candidates is occurring with more prominence over the past two years.
Jim Finore, '07, Student Body President, believes that the lack of participation is due to the extensive time commitment needed to keep on top of USS affairs as well as schoolwork and personal affairs. "I think that a lot of students are stretched for time and they realize the commitment that it takes [to be on the executive board]. They have the desire, just not the time," said Finore. He believes that there are many students who are qualified for the positions on the executive board, but they just lack the time or are involved in too many other organizations.
Finore believes that the lack of candidates will not affect the quality of the Senate since the Student Body President requires one year of experience on USS while all other executive board members must be involved in a student organization for one year to be eligible to run. He stressed the importance of this as a "stepping stone" to becoming a Vice President, because it teaches the time commitments and dedication needed to be successful. The office of Student Body President is particularly demanding in this regard, Finore said. "It is a position that absolutely requires at least a 10 hour day."
Mary-Elaine Perry, Assistant Vice President for Student Development of the Office of the Vice President of Student Life and temporary advisor for the USS, has a somewhat different explanation. She is disappointed in the lack of numbers. "I sense that students look at someone and say 'that person's working hard toward that position' and assume that it's theirs so they don't want to oppose them," said Perry.
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