From Berkeley to Boston College, from Chapel Hill to Dartmouth, there’s one thing dozens of major universities do that Penn doesn’t — directly elect their equivalent of the Undergraduate Assembly chairman.
Through debates and discussions, platforms and public campaigns, these schools engage in annual campus-wide dialogues about what really matters to all students. If students across America are rallying behind fellow student leaders, I am confident that Penn students can do it too. At Penn, the UA chairman represents more than just the internal interests of the legislative branch of our student government.
The UA chairman represents each and every one of us to fellow students, the administration, off-campus organizations and other universities. The UA chairman serves as our collective voice on everything from dining issues and late-night parties to broader academic and university life concerns. However, the average student doesn’t get to vote for the UA chairman or have a direct say in the types of issues they may pursue.
As a former UA member, I have experienced how the current election works. The UA chairman is elected internally by the new UA members during the body’s first-ever meeting in the spring. I remember the inevitable all-nighter this required as members spent hours advocating on behalf of their candidates. Unfortunately, this system leaves little room for the concerns of the thousands of other undergraduates.
Last year, roughly 90 students unaffiliated with the UA — representing dozens of the student organizations on campus — packed a room in Huntsman hoping to ask the candidates what could have easily amounted to hours worth of important and relevant questions. But since the election structure is internally-focused, these concerned students couldn’t vote and weren’t even allowed to ask half of their questions.
In order to incorporate all student interests, I think we — the student body as a whole — should directly elect the UA chairman. Of course, the process is just as important as the outcome. The proposed change includes a series of debates leading up to the election, each focusing on a different university community.
Imagine great discussions about Greek life, theater and the arts, athletic concerns and student group issues.
Candidates will be required to submit platforms and policy outlines, not just personal statements. With time, we can cultivate a truly innovative election process that allows students to directly voice their opinions through a unique and Penn-specific election process.
Supporters recognize that this process won’t be perfect in the first year and will require a couple of years to reach the level of the Harvard or Dartmouth student-wide elections. This is going to be a challenge, but a challenge I think the student body is more than ready to accept.
During my time here, I have heard peers, faculty and staff alike complain that Penn students just don’t care about the larger campus community. But on any given day, I think a walk down Locust easily disproves this theory.
In fact, Penn students care just as much, if not more, about the community at large than do those at most of our peer institutions. Let’s have some faith in our fellow students and give the campus a chance to vote in one of the most important processes at our University. It’s up to us to leave Penn a better place. This is our chance.
Ankit Dhir is a College and Wharton senior. He is on the Executive Board of the Performing Arts Council and a former UA member. His email address is adhir@wharton.upenn.edu.
