EDITORIAL: Time For Change

The Nominations and ElectionsThe Nominations and ElectionsCommittee should adopt a newThe Nominations and ElectionsCommittee should adopt a newformat for introducing itsThe Nominations and ElectionsCommittee should adopt a newformat for introducing itscandidates for office.The Nominations and ElectionsCommittee should adopt a newformat for introducing itscandidates for office.________________________________ The idea of introducing candidates to voters through the campus newspaper is a worthwhile one. In the current format, freshman candidates write a few sentences about themselves and why they are running for the UA. Ideally, freshmen who read the advertisement will be able to cast educated votes for the most impressive candidates. But what we end up reading is a stream of useless cliches that offer little insight into the candidates. The statements speak for themselves: · "I am not as lame as this statement may suggest." · "?most said that the Fly Guy in Stouffer should be promoted to Super Fly Guy." · "I know when to hold my hand out during the Red and Blue cheer." · "I've had tons of leadership experience, but I won't bore you with the details." · "Some of the greatest people I know are strangers." · "More clocks in the dining halls and classrooms." · "I will encourage the organization of a 'Fall Fun Time Weekend.'" Needless to say, the current system of introducing candidates does not achieve its goal of educating the voters; it only perpetuates the UA's reputation of being a do-nothing organization by illustrating how lightly the University's future student leaders take their campaigns. Five candidates even failed to write the small paragraph about themselves. We suggest instead that the NEC ask all candidates to answer the same set of specific questions in writing so that it can focus the campaign on actual issues. Voters will then have specific points through which to compare candidates. What should the UA's role be in social planning? How do you feel about Student Activities Council funding for political groups? What is your past leadership experience? Do you agree that free speech and civility are in conflict on campus? Finally, the NEC should allow candidates to speak to the press about the issues so a productive discussion can take place. Candidates are currently offered several minutes to speak on UTV13, but half the freshman class never sees this because the Quadrangle does not have access to Resnet. We hope that next year, the candidate advertisement is more respectable and serves as a guide rather than as comic relief.