Fact or Fiction

It's springtime at the university. You can tell, can't you? It's in the sweet smell of the dogwoods on the lawn, blossoming with three colors of beauty. It's in the light step of the students, basking in the warming glow of the sun. It's in the Student Council elections, full of controversy and accusations of unethical campaigning. It makes you feel good to be alive, doesn't it?

No, wait, what was that last one? Good Lord, no! We've come to expect Student Council elections to be nothing but a well-oiled machine, a cleansing and unifying experience for the university. So the question remains, what went wrong?

Despite all the furor and the negative press, the best answer may be ... nothing. This year's elections, in terms of both turnout and execution, were handled exceptionally well. The student body had a choice between two involved and well-qualified candidates. Computer balloting doubled voter response and reduced the capacity for voter fraud. For the first time in recent memory, the accuracy of the election results hasn't been in question. That still leaves the allegations of unethical campaigning to address. Allegedly, there were flyers ripped down. And bedsheets in the wrong place. On both sides, probably. But what's the upshot? How does it affect the final result? Sajeena won by over 400 votes; no flyer in the world is that effective. Of course, everything possible should be done to make the elections more fair to the people involved, but no matter what fantastic new bylaw is passed, no matter what spending limit is imposed, it is probably technically impossible to ensure that each candidate and all of their supporters strictly adhere to campaign regulations.

So, sir, where's the fire? On the front pages, StudCo has come across as the devil incarnate. In accordance with yearly tradition, they have been charged with mismanagement, illegal influencing of results, character assassination, Kennedy assassination, and poor publicity, all over an election that, in general, ran as smoothly as a U-Guide short tour. Student Council has caught an unbelieveable amount of crap for things they either didn't do or had no control over.

And in the end, these allegations contribute to apathy more than anything else. There may be no appeal, but the damage is done -- authority eroded, confidence diminished. Each year that the elections assume the general appearance of a circus sideshow, the Student Council seems to be a little more removed from the needs of actual students. So don't believe everything you read. Hell, don't even believe this, necessarily -- at least ask someone else what they think about it. Because when you focus on one side of the story, your perception is going to be limited. And that's not fair to anyone involved.

Kate Zimmerman

Viewpoint consists of the majority opinion of the managing board of The Declaration and is written by the executive editor on a weekly basis.