Your Voice | Letters to the Editor

UA: Current election system works fine

The opinion piece, "Sensible Politics," (9/27/2007) on The Daily Pennsylvanian's Opinion Page, was not only naively construed, but also greatly discounted the capabilities of the freshman candidates.

We would first like to point out that the following day the DP ran an article conveying an interview with Class Board presidential candidates that explicitly asked frivolous questions to elicit frivolous responses ("For Class Board hopefuls, toilet covers, jousting" 9/28/2007). This article promoted the very same behavior that the DP had criticized one day earlier.

That aside, it is naive to think that just because a candidate focuses "more on rhetoric and less on substance" means that the candidate lacks substance as a potential member of student government.

In fact, by acknowledging the need to attract interest in elections from freshmen who are just learning about Penn, the candidates demonstrate an adept understanding of how to engage their fellow freshmen.

As elected representatives, this understanding will be vital in bringing to light the concerns and desires of their constituents, thereby allowing them to effect change on campus.

Regarding the proposed moving of the elections to December to give freshmen time to acclimate to Penn, we believe that new freshmen members positively impact every campus organization through their motivation and excitement.

The earlier students join organizations, the earlier they have access to resources - such as experienced leaders, access to administrators, and other tools - that aid in their development toward being productive and essential members of their organizations. Student government is certainly no exception.

Over the past few years, it was freshman members who have pushed for a free music-subscription service, late-night dining, iTunesU and brand change of the free condoms, to name a few.

Requiring freshmen to wait until December to run for an elected position in student government would be both a disservice to them and the rest of the student body.

While the criticism in the DP is duly noted, we feel the benefits of the current election system far outweigh its shortcomings. We are confident the newly elected freshmen will have an immediate, positive impact on their class and Penn - far earlier than December elections would allow.

When it comes down to it, student government is filled with dedicated representatives who work on tangible projects for the students they represent.

How well would they represent students if they had no concept of how to engage students in the election process to begin with?

Jason Karsh Chairman, Undergraduate Assembly Dan Strigenz Chairman, Nominations and Elections Committee Colleen Donovan Vice chairwoman for Elections, Nominations and Elections Committee Students should help fix local schools

Jenny Zhan's assessment of West Philadelphia's public schools ("West Philadelphia schools need more than a blank check," DP, 9/28/2007) is correct. For a university with a $6.6 billion endowment, helping to fund University City's strained public schools should be easy in principle.

But sending money alone would constitute a half-hearted gesture on our part. As the campus buzzes over the mountain of cash on which Penn sits, let's not forget that our endowment is blissfully tax exempt.

What does Penn do to deserve nonprofit status? Our schools and medical system provide valuable public services, yet, considering the conditions that prevail at University City High School, literally five blocks from Locust Walk, the injustice of vast inequalities is undeniable.

Allowing schools in our backyard to decay while we sit idle represents an institutional failure. So what else can Penn do to help besides throwing money at West Philadelphia schools?

We undergraduates should do our part. Strengthening sustained partnerships which bring students into the classroom, like ABCS courses and Civic House and CCP programs, can enrich our studies with real-world experiences while enhancing the quality of public education.

We can make a difference. The halls of UCHS and other local schools are not nearly as dangerous as student apathy in the face of injustice.

Peter Ceretti College sophomore

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.