Miami Student

Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Editorials

Associated Student Government (ASG) is holding its first online campus-wide off-campus senator elections. For the second consecutive semester, the turnout for off-campus senator elections has been overwhelmingly high, marking a change-at least in the short-term-in campus involvement. There are more than 40 hopefuls fighting for 24 off-campus senator seats. The Miami Student editorial board applauds students for taking the initiative by seeking to become actively engaged in student organizations such as ASG and hopes this will continue to increase campus activism.

Candidates have already started their campaigns by creating Facebook.com groups in an effort to gain recognition and votes for the upcoming elections. While candidates are not running on platforms, many are advocating for a variety of issues ranging from outdoor drinking games to voter registration. By utilizing a highly visited internet network, creating election events and asking friends to join their groups in support, candidates are gaining publicity not only for themselves but ASG in general. This publicity will hopefully encourage students to become informed and aware of the importance of student organizations.

Student voting for the candidates to fill the 24 open spots will be critical for the upcoming election. Students who have not signed leases on-campus next year-presumably people living off-campus-will be electing the future senators. While candidates have tried to inform voters through Facebook campaigns, many students are still unaware of Thursday's elections. Although it is promising that such a large number desire to challenge themselves to become a member of the student senate, the lack of promotion on campus demonstrates the divide between ASG and the general student body. There has been a lack of an effort to publicize the elections in different areas of the community. There still needs to be a greater attempt by ASG to engage students in participating in the elections and informing the student body on the different candidates.

Off-campus senators will be held accountable for opening the lines of communication between students living on-and off-campus. Open dialogue is critical to achieve desired goals and tackle issues that have plagued those who no longer live on campus. They will have great responsibility writing bills and overseeing their assigned district.

The fight for the off-campus senator positions demonstrates that students are no longer content to act as idle bystanders. Instead, students are seizing the opportunity to voice their concerns and take action. While the candidates have individually gained publicity through creating personal campaigns, ASG must continue to communicate with the student body. This highly contested election reveals that student activism is not dead on Miami University's campus.

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