We may have been joking in Wednesday’s April Fools’ staff editorial about writing in a slate composed of three Daily Free Press columnists and a mythical beast, but the recent developments in the Boston University Student Union election are not a laughing matter. Though a slate composed entirely of freshmen may not have stood much of a chance in the election, the fact that BU students will have no other option for Union leadership is troubling.
For the ‘New Frontier’ slate to be dissolved over ‘a few disagreements’ is inexcusable. The Union has been plagued by infighting this year, and instead of having an election that could have been about turning the page, it appears that the Union is only in for more of the same. No group of leaders is ever without disagreements, but real leaders have to put their petty differences aside and work together. Students should rightfully expect their representatives to be above the drama that should have been left behind in high school.
The ‘Vision for BU’ slate may be running unopposed, but its members shouldn’t be measuring the drapes just yet. Students do not deserve to have their votes taken for granted. James Sappenfield and his slate still must show voters how they will make Union a group that advocates for the actual needs of students.’
As the current academic affairs committee chairman, Sappenfield’s record has been lacking. The Union has passed minor proposals advocating policy changes to class registration and official transcripts , but there have been no results whatsoever in improving academic advising or creating a website to clear up the confusion surrounding the BU Collaborative Undergraduate Degree Program process. ‘Vision for BU’ needs to set clear timetables for when these much needed changes will be proposed and adopted if they want to prove they are serious about leading a more efficient Union.’
Before students go ahead and give their votes to the slate running unopposed, they must ask themselves if they are really happy with the status quo at Union.’ If ‘Vision for BU’ can’t prove that it will bring change to Union, then a strong write-in candidate just might be needed to give students a real choice.
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