Editorial | Karsh for UA chairman

Last year, the DP criticized the Undergraduate Assembly for failing to attract more than one candidate for its top chairman position. This year, the UA deserves praise for producing two qualified candidates: Sarah Abroms and Jason Karsh.

The DP Opinion Board strongly endorses Jason Karsh for the job. While both Karsh and Abroms have extensive experience, Karsh's main platform - making the UA more accessible to students - is exactly what the UA should be working toward.

Karsh's previous successes with bringing Ruckus and free daily newspapers, including The New York Times, to campus, along with his leadership in countless other organizations, speak to his capabilities as an aggressive advocate for student needs.

One of the few four-year UA members, Karsh's passion for the job and charisma would serve him well as he works with top administrators and other student leaders to make sure that the average undergraduate is represented. In an interview with the Opinion Board, Karsh said he also hopes to "micromanage enthusiasm" among existing members, to make sure they're excited and proactive about projects.

Karsh acknowledged that many students hold the perception that the UA is unable to make a difference. To counter this, he plans to "target students where they live" to make sure they know what the UA does, why it matters and how they can get involved.

We believe this is precisely the kind of thinking the UA needs to be successful. While current chairman Brett Thalmann has worked to make the UA's internal operations more efficient, this won't bring in new faces to the UA.

Karsh knows the UA's strengths and weaknesses, and isn't afraid to comment on either. He not only has a bold vision for the UA, but also the skills and enthusiasm to see it through.

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