EDITORIAL: The Gag Is Over

The Nominations andThe Nominations andElections Committee shouldThe Nominations andElections Committee shouldfollow the lead set by ClassThe Nominations andElections Committee shouldfollow the lead set by ClassBoards and rescind its gagThe Nominations andElections Committee shouldfollow the lead set by ClassBoards and rescind its gagrule.The Nominations andElections Committee shouldfollow the lead set by ClassBoards and rescind its gagrule.______________________________ Through the media, candidates can make campaign announcements ensured to reach a large audience, and for the first time, students can read about each candidate and base their voting decisions on a candidate's merit. This simple decision to rescind the gag rule has shifted the entire election to one based more on issues rather than popularity and has given Class Boards increased credibility. We applaud the students serving on Class Boards who embraced positive change, instead of fearing it. This prudent decision demonstrates vision and strong leadership. Class Boards recognized a deficiency in the election process and swiftly corrected it. It is now our hope that the Nominations and Elections Committee will see the same problem in its election process and immediately remove its gag rule. Students are tired of the superficial campaign slogans and the uneventful, apathy-filled Undergraduate Assembly elections. The NEC must take strong action now to guarantee that future UA elections will be meaningful and voters will make intelligent choices. Students have sent the message that the days of "Rock On, Rock Off, Vote Josh Rockoff" and "Won't You Be My Neighbor, Vote Lance Rogers" are over. Students want to know how UA candidates can affect profound change and then vote for the student who is most politically appealing. To do this, students must be allowed to educate themselves through the media. The most recent UA election was proof positive that candidates do not care about campus issues. Candidates did not address anything substantial while campaigning, and voters did not have any resource with which to educate themselves. The NEC should swallow its pride, recognize that the process it manages is crumbling, and then change its policy. Only when the gag rule is eliminated and elections are based on real issues will campus government gain an inkling of respect.