This article was updated on May 13 at 1:23 p.m.
During this year’s undergraduate student government election, members of LET’S ACT! and Bruins United accused each other of numerous campaign violations. Each side filed multiple complaints with the Election Board.
But elections are over – and finger-pointing between the two slates should be, as well.
The new Undergraduate Students Association Council members will be sworn in Tuesday. We urge them to work together on making tangible changes, regardless of slate affiliation.
In past years, slate politics have hindered the council’s ability to get things done. For instance, members of one slate have opposed policy changes proposed by another slate, without any real reason.
Now, for the first time since 2005, the president’s slate affiliation will be different than the majority of the council. This could lead to more disputes within council than usual.
As president, John Joanino will need to set the tone and ensure that each councilmember gets an equal opportunity to express his or her viewpoint – even if that viewpoint does not mirror his own.
Likewise, Bruins United councilmembers, who have a majority on council, must not brush aside the perspectives of LET’S ACT! councilmembers when it comes time to make decisions. LET’S ACT! members should return the favor.
To bridge the political divide in council, Joanino will also need to reach out to groups that are not normally involved in USAC. This way, USAC councilmembers can truly represent the entire student body, rather than just the students within their slates.
Joanino and other councilmembers should attend student group events and ask their boards what they want from next year’s council.
One of the president’s key responsibilities is to appoint students to various committees. Without any outside oversight, this leaves open the possibility that appointments may be granted to members of the president’s slate.
Joanino should look into permanently creating third-party review of presidential appointments. Establishing this precedent would increase faith in the system and, in turn, draw more students into it.
Third-party review would ensure students are being appointed to positions because they are suited for the job, not because they have connections in USAC.
Many of the newly elected USAC officials have expressed their commitment to working as a unified council. Now, it’s their responsibility to turn these words into action – and Joanino must set an example his council can follow.