As we look forward to another chance to cast votes and decide who will be our voice, we students must reflect on the choice we make. First, our votes matter. The percentage of students who vote is low historically. This makes the few votes which are cast vital.
Next, what should a representative do? Aside from the expected meetings and committees senators attend, a representative should devise competent bills. These bills should be debated and publicized to the student body before being voted on.
Another important question is what a representative should refrain from doing. Senators should not approve bills which don’t benefit the majority of students. Neither should the rules they pass run afoul to the will of most students. Worse yet, a representative should not abstain on a vote or ignore the chance to discuss an issue.
The purpose of a representative is that of mouthpiece of the students not that of babysitter. Not voting or allowing the wrong candidate to win has real consequences. Some of these can be fee hikes and big decisions being made with very little student input.
The word constituent is thrown around in campaigns. This word means all of the represented. More often than not though, it means the few students in a politician’s immediate circle. Every representative thinks he or she is doing what is best for the students. But sometimes this is not the case. The remedy for this is participation in student government.
All ASISU students should be allowed to vote and all ASISU students should be allowed to serve. When rules are made that limit a student’s right to participate, a representative has become disconnected with what really is and is not best for the majority of students.
Not all decisions should be made by representatives. Participation by the student body in referendum votes is also important. This vote allows direct democracy. Student decision-making was added to the ASISU Constitution as a way for students to decide the really big issues for themselves.
These institutions I have outlined are there for our benefit as students. Let us make full use of the opportunity we have to make our own path. The vehicle of good government is the rule of law. The engine of good government is the vote. The students are the drivers.
I call on all Bengals to be heard and vote. Don’t let our idea of democracy be diluted by narrow parties and groupthink. Make an informed choice and vote on BengalWeb on March 19, 20 and 21.