2008 Woodie Awards
Lack of Party Politics Focuses SGA Elections on Individual Candidates
Kirsten Steinke
Issue date: 4/12/05 Section: Opinion
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One common bereavement of national voters during the elections is the limitations of the two-party system, and the often cookie-cutter candidates which are the product of this system. Candidates are pressured to follow a set rule of political ideologies rather than presenting their true opinions on political issues.
The presentation of real people rather than representatives of political affiliation is one appealing aspect of Smith's SGA elections. Students are free to present their individual opinions, rather than being forced to cohere to a pre-determined set of values. However, in this current election, Stina Soderling '06 is running not on her own political platform, but rather as a representative of SSJIC, the radical campus political group Students for Social Justice and Institutional Change. She makes clear her affiliation in the first sentence of her candidate statement, saying, "I am running for SGA president as the candidate for SSJIC."
While there is nothing inherently problematic with a student with strong political affiliation running for SGA president, the creeping-in of party politics into a previously neutral race is disturbing. The goals which have been outlined as Soderling's platform seem entirely appropriate if she were running to be head of SSJIC, but do not reflect the responsibilities of the SGA president, whose responsibility is to the student body at large, rather than one specific campus organization.
In the handbook's description of the power allotted to the SGA, it does specify that the SGA is responsible for "the making and enforcement of regulations on matters not specified above and not affecting the academic work of the college (except as designated in the academic honor system), its health regulations, its financial affairs or its public relations." In this respect, the objectives of SSJIC are figured into the goals of the Student Government Association. However, this provision is only one out of nine of the privileges and responsibilities of the Student Government Association. It should not be the primary and sole concern of the president of our SGA.
This is in no way meant to be a criticism specifically of Soderling or her platform as a presidential candidate. It is, however, a criticism of a self-identified representative of specific campus political party for president. When we choose to have representatives rather than individuals run for campus office, we homogenize and restrict the candidates available, and risk votes for a party rather than an actual candidate. Divisive party politics have already permeated and have had detrimental effects to our national elections. Let's stop this trend and preserve the integrity of elections at Smith College.
The presentation of real people rather than representatives of political affiliation is one appealing aspect of Smith's SGA elections. Students are free to present their individual opinions, rather than being forced to cohere to a pre-determined set of values. However, in this current election, Stina Soderling '06 is running not on her own political platform, but rather as a representative of SSJIC, the radical campus political group Students for Social Justice and Institutional Change. She makes clear her affiliation in the first sentence of her candidate statement, saying, "I am running for SGA president as the candidate for SSJIC."
While there is nothing inherently problematic with a student with strong political affiliation running for SGA president, the creeping-in of party politics into a previously neutral race is disturbing. The goals which have been outlined as Soderling's platform seem entirely appropriate if she were running to be head of SSJIC, but do not reflect the responsibilities of the SGA president, whose responsibility is to the student body at large, rather than one specific campus organization.
In the handbook's description of the power allotted to the SGA, it does specify that the SGA is responsible for "the making and enforcement of regulations on matters not specified above and not affecting the academic work of the college (except as designated in the academic honor system), its health regulations, its financial affairs or its public relations." In this respect, the objectives of SSJIC are figured into the goals of the Student Government Association. However, this provision is only one out of nine of the privileges and responsibilities of the Student Government Association. It should not be the primary and sole concern of the president of our SGA.
This is in no way meant to be a criticism specifically of Soderling or her platform as a presidential candidate. It is, however, a criticism of a self-identified representative of specific campus political party for president. When we choose to have representatives rather than individuals run for campus office, we homogenize and restrict the candidates available, and risk votes for a party rather than an actual candidate. Divisive party politics have already permeated and have had detrimental effects to our national elections. Let's stop this trend and preserve the integrity of elections at Smith College.