The Collegian Weekly The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff
Student Fed elections: A clear message
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Opinion
Candidates and voters flooded this fall's Student Federation elections. Turnout increased largely from negative motivation: students voting against candidates and platforms. Some candidates' ideas did not represent the student body, costing them a spot at weekly federation meetings.
More students also voted because of increased information, such as the candidate biography handouts, more campaigning and organized motivation from Greek houses.
The federation's current leadership, pushed by President Craig Kreinbihl, wants to gradually increase its influence. Already, it allots about $90,000 each year from student fees. Last semester, it sparked meal plan changes.
So students care, and should, about what the federation does, especially if its power increases.
We want student federation to prevent the college administration from ignoring student needs and wishes when examining policies like meal plans and allotting student fees, or when enacting changes to campus such as installing statues or approving clubs.
The administration should ensure the federation can provide this check by giving it more freedom to make and enforce decisions. Federation suggestions merit sway in administrative action.
Likewise, we want student representatives who will not impose their agendas and stereotyped "Hillsdale College" auras on us. Representatives should represent Hillsdale as we are, not imagine themselves demigods with power to re-shape the student body to perfection.
Next year, we hope for more candidates to vote for, not against.
More students also voted because of increased information, such as the candidate biography handouts, more campaigning and organized motivation from Greek houses.
The federation's current leadership, pushed by President Craig Kreinbihl, wants to gradually increase its influence. Already, it allots about $90,000 each year from student fees. Last semester, it sparked meal plan changes.
So students care, and should, about what the federation does, especially if its power increases.
We want student federation to prevent the college administration from ignoring student needs and wishes when examining policies like meal plans and allotting student fees, or when enacting changes to campus such as installing statues or approving clubs.
The administration should ensure the federation can provide this check by giving it more freedom to make and enforce decisions. Federation suggestions merit sway in administrative action.
Likewise, we want student representatives who will not impose their agendas and stereotyped "Hillsdale College" auras on us. Representatives should represent Hillsdale as we are, not imagine themselves demigods with power to re-shape the student body to perfection.
Next year, we hope for more candidates to vote for, not against.
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