The Daily Free Press claims the Student Union Elections Commission should have used the last four months to “clean house” and right the past wrongs of the electoral process. Perhaps The Daily Free Press should have used these same four months to educate themselves on objectivity in news reporting and the importance of avoiding the plagued “shooting from the hip” in editorial writing.
The Student Union is concerned about the poor reporting of The Daily Free Press in their article “Elections in question” (Sept. 24, pg. 1) as well as their deceptive and misinformed editorial “Election illegitimacy” (Sept. 24, pg. 10).
While the article accurately relayed some facts, it was unbalanced and subjective. This subjectivity exploits an issue that is, at this point, purely speculation. The article’s lead alone, which compares this year’s senate elections to Florida, grossly sensationalizes the current situation. Unless there is hard evidence of voter misconduct, the Student Union and the Student Activities Office stand by the election results. The student body should trust the legitimacy of Boston University’s newest student leaders. If an official writ is, in fact, submitted to the Tribunal, then that is the point at which students should begin to question the election results.
The Daily Free Press failed to recognize that SUEC did attempt to hold elections online in the same fashion as they are held in the spring. However, SUEC learned the stipulations of online voting would restrict some students from participating. Elections occurred before the deadline to finalize set-up of Information Technology student accounts, and those without accounts would have been unable to vote. SUEC Chairwoman Jeanette Jankiewicz and her commission had already begun planning for an improved election for next fall, and this planning had begun even prior to Lisa Franchini’s resignation. To say Franchini has shown “principle in blowing the whistle” on the election process undermines the principle of the student and staff leaders who remain committed to improving the process for all Senate elections to come.
Also, The Daily Free Press did not report the inability to track student ID numbers in the election had been recognized, investigated, and approved by SAO and a member of the Tribunal. Furthermore, the SAO sources quoted in yesterday’s article are not the decision-makers, and the Union is concerned The Daily Free Press chose to use sources who clearly had no real grasp of the election processes. SAO personnel and the former SUEC chairman informed SUEC commissioners that the possibility of obtaining student ID numbers to keep track of voters was simply impossible because of university concerns about students’ privacy.
The Union firmly disagrees with the statement that “SUEC is still in a shamble.” Jeanette and her committee have made important strides in their short time in office. While actual election procedure hasn’t changed for several years, election publicity has significantly increased. For the first time, students had access to candidate platforms at the voting booths. Voter interest has increased and election competition doubled.
While this year’s elections were stronger, the Union also recognizes there is room for even more improvement.
Although poor reporting is a concern, it does not excuse the Student Union from the fact that the election process can be strengthened. It is unfortunate the honor system is not the most valid approach, but Boston University can look forward to a stronger process for all future Senate elections.
As for this year, if anyone has evidence of voter misconduct, the Union urges you to inform the Tribunal immediately. Visit our website at www.bu.edu/union for more information on how to bring forth your concerns.