To many students, student government feels petty. A few people make decisions that don’t seem relevant. Why bother voting, or even paying attention?
But student government doesn’t have to feel irrelevant. The election reform voted into effect in the fall has the potential to involve the whole undergraduate community in choosing the next student leaders — people deciding how much funding to give Spring Fling and fighting for late-night dining options and online course syllabi. The Daily Pennsylvanian wants you to be engaged in the election process and to be informed. Starting Tuesday, this page will run columns in which Undergraduate Assembly Vice-Presidential and Presidential candidates explain why you should vote for them. Video Q&As; with the Vice-Presidential and Presidential candidates, in addition to statements from other student-government candidates, will also be available on our website later this week.
On Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m., the DP will host a public debate, an opportunity for presidential and vice-presidential candidates to discuss topics that matter to you. You can e-mail questions for the debate to letters@dailypennsylvanian.com. After the debate, we will endorse the candidates who we believe will be best for the jobs.
We hope you pay attention to this process. Read the columns, watch the video interviews and attend the debate. Student government may not seem important, but the next leaders will make decisions that affect everyone, including you.
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