The Undergraduate Assembly elections are a time of change; not only are new members welcomed into the ranks of the group, but new referenda are proposed and voted on. One of the referenda that passed tonight sticks out like a sore thumb.
The referendum moves to allow UA executive elections to occur behind closed doors. While Penn students may not have rushed to attend this event in the past, this decision stands in opposition to one of the basic principles of our democracy: a transparent government and open electoral process. Passing this referendum smacks of deceit; worst of all, there was not a shred of public debate about the matter, nor was there any explanation available to voters beyond a brief endorsement of the referendum on the Web site.
The newly elected or re-elected members of the UA do not have to adopt this referendum; the vote simply gives them the option to do so. We strongly urge them not to adopt it. Closing their doors to the public for internal executive elections is a suspicious move, and even if it is done in innocence, the move will still be suspect. For a body of goverment, shutting out the public to any aspect of the electoral process is deplorable.
Regardless of whether or not the new members of the UA choose to adopt this referendum, they will have some decently sized shoes to fill. Despite a history of relative inaction, last year's UA made steady progress and accomplished a significant amount.
The UA played an important role in bringing back the Penn Course Review, an essential tool for students looking for honest reviews of classes. Its coed housing proposal is promising and now awaits the University's approval. The smoke-free dormitories proposal will be a boon to some students. And while the UA's plans for updating the finals schedule were initially enacted in a rather disorganized manner, the idea stems from the noble and necessary goal of trying to make that difficult time more manageable for students.
The UA should keep its internal elections open and should not adopt a referendum that would allow it to close its doors. We encourage the new members to consider this, and we hope that they will continue to improve upon the precedent of progress that was set last year.
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