To the untrained eye, the line between Class Boards and the Undergraduate Assembly is pretty blurry.
The two groups do serve very different functions: While the UA lobbies administrators, the Class Boards focus on promoting school spirit.
But many students often confuse the two organizations, especially during elections. One reason for the misunderstanding could be that under the current rules, candidates can run for - and serve on - both groups.
That needs to change.
Prohibiting students from running for both the Class Board and the UA at the same time will not only improve the quality of elections but also the effectiveness of student government itself.
Instead of running on broad generalities like "more transparency," candidates would have to seriously consider which particular branch of student government best meets their talents.
The restriction would also force members to specialize in their jobs once in office, instead of dividing time between boosting class unity and implementing policy proposals. And because the UA takes care of funding for Class Boards, the limitation has the extra benefit of eliminating any potential conflicts of interest.
Some may argue that the overlap in members helps increase collaboration between the two branches. But leaders of both groups already meet regularly through various committees.
In the end, the restriction harkens back to the common-sense, American principle of separating positions of power between different branches of government.
And if it worked for the Founding Fathers, it can work for us.
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