Editorial: Student apathy displayed in officer elections

Due to the combination of spring break and a Thursday election day date, in theory results of yesterday’s Student Congress elections should be difficult for The Franklin to report on.

Though we publish on Friday, our production deadline is early Thursday morning before the online voting for Congress ends.

But in reality, it’s pretty easy.

We already know three of the four executive officers.

Only one vote will elect Trent Whaley vice president, Stephanie Echols treasurer and Megan Mattingly secretary. All three ran yesterday, unopposed.

That’s a shame.

No one on staff thinks these people are incapable of fulfilling their respective duties. In fact, Whaley ran for a second term yesterday, but when three out of four officer positions are handed to candidates, something is wrong.

An easy scapegoat for this problem is the current Student Congress body, but because president Nick Kerr suspended a clause in Congress’ constitution opening officer candidacies to students outside of sitting members, they escape much of the real blame.

Last year, two races ran unopposed, so it’s unfair to think candidates will magically appear for all four positions from within.

But Kerr’s suspension allowed others to run too, and no one took advantage of it.

Student Congress opening elections is a definite sign that they want to hear from more student voices than are audible now.

At a school of 1,000 students, it’s understandable that one or two people truly dedicate themselves to a certain group. If one percent of campus participated in something, that would only be 10 people.

We understand not everyone has the time or energy to bear the extra time-commitment and responsibility.

But it’s ridiculous that no one took this opportunity to jump right in.

The next president inherits the voice of the student body for the upcoming year and will need to stop student silence to achieve campaign race promises.

Looks like a long year ahead.