SA presidential candidates, keep these points in mind

By Staff Editorial     2/12/09 6:00pm

Just in case the numerous flyers covering tables at the serveries have not given enough indication, we will make it clear here: The Student Association elections for the 2009-'10 school year are right around the corner. Presidential debates are scheduled for Monday at 10 p.m. in the Farnsworth Pavilion, and the general election period starts Friday. To the three canididates running for SA president, Brown College junior Patrick McAnaney, Martel College sophomore Nicholas Muscara and Jones College junior Matty Weingast, we offer the following:It was nearly two years ago today that the Thresher Editorial Staff crafted a rather scathing indictment of the SA's policies ("SA needs its own Vision," Feb. 23, 2007). Our critique at that time was that the SA was slowly becoming "a rubber stamp for administrative interests." We complained then that SA members had apparent trouble with the concept of providing "strong, clear voices representing [the] majority opinion of their constituency" in the form of resolutions.

We're not complaining about that anymore.

Over the past few years, the SA has become much more vocal, much more assertive and much more the bridge between students and administration that it needs to be. This year alone, the SA has fostered open forums between students an administrators at the highest level, including Vice President for Finance Kathy Collins, Dean of Undergraduates Robin Forman and President David Leebron, and the current pending resolution supporting trayless dining in the serveries is just one of four that has crossed the SA's floor.

---

---

Obviously, the SA's reach and reputation are on the upswing, and whichever candidate is elected has a major part to play in continuing that improvement. When the candidates take the floor in Monday's debates, we hope they acknowledge that role.

Firstly, we hope each candidate offers a comprehensive, mature and encompassing definition for the role of the SA president. A candidate with an idealized or immature sense of the office will lack the discipline to deal with the inevitible administrative problems that will arise, and will more than likely waste precious time and resources on goals that are ineffective or doomed to failure.

Secondly, we hope the candidates offer specific examples of goals they wish to accomplish, as well as the means they will use to accomplish them. Again, this criteria will keep candidates grounded and focused on an effective use of resources.

Thirdly, the candidates need to display an attitude that fosters productivity. We do not want to see any us-against-them rants decrying the malfeasance of the administration and inciting students to general revolt. Any potential SA president needs to understand that while students definitely do not have to roll over whenever the administration would like us to, we do have to work with university officials to get resolutions passed and resources redirected as quickly as possible. This also requires the SA president to keep constant open communication with administrative officials, which will benefit students in the long run as we look for ways to collaborate and compromise on tough issues.

Lastly, the candidates need to show the student body that they are able to embrace the change resulting from the expansion of the college system and the student population, all the while sustaining the undergraduate traditions that make Rice an excellent place to be. The candidates have to be able to shape the growth we are experiencing into a means for achieving a positive end result.

---