Next week, polls will open for the 2010 University-wide student elections. The race for Student Council president features three candidates, each with a distinct vision for how the student government should operate and interact with the student body. Colin Hood, Council's vice president for organizations, boasts an extensive resume from his experience both in and outside of Council. Second-Year Class Council President Dan Morrison promises to reenergize Council and focus on building strong relationships with students. Third-year College student Steve Norum brings to the table an outsider's perspective and a desire to represent a less recognized contingency of the University community. Each has something original to offer during this election cycle.
After careful consideration, The Cavalier Daily's Managing Board has decided to endorse Hood for the office of Council president. The decision was a difficult one, but ultimately, Hood's experience and understanding of several key issues, including the appropriations process of Contracted Independent Organizations, distinguishes him from the rest of the field. Additionally, his service to the University community during the past five semesters has demonstrated his commitment to and passion for student self-governance. We believe the student body would benefit from his leadership during the upcoming year.
Hood has served as Council's VPO for the past year, during which he was responsible for allocating more than $750,000 of the Student Activities Fund to various CIOs across Grounds; he also wrote new guidelines to clarify the SAF. As probably the most technical aspect of Council's enumerated functions, the appropriations process can be a daunting system for the uninitiated to figure out. Hood's familiarity with appropriations is a valuable asset to consider, particularly given that Evan Shields, the unopposed candidate for VPO, gained his budgeting experience from CIO leadership positions from outside of Council. With this extensive background and intimate knowledge of Council's administrative channels, Hood appears to be the candidate best prepared to hit the ground running during day one in office.
A student co-founder of Hoos Ready - an emergency preparedness initiative on Grounds - and as the driving force behind the first CIO Leadership Dinner, Hood also has specific goals to improve Council's internal structure and its relevance to the University community. His platform includes a broad range of initiatives, including efforts to vigorously promote CIO co-sponsorships and to reform the SAFE Ride program. We hope that some of Hood's more successful endeavors from this past year, such as the revamped CIO Consultant Program, will endure with Council's leadership during the upcoming term.
Though Hood stands out as the candidate of choice, both Morrison and Norum should be commended for their original perspectives and desire to make Council more responsive to the average University student. Hood should view Morrison's campaign message in particular as a challenge to Council's next administration - the student body is yearning for Council leadership that is open, accessible and visible across Grounds. The organic, "bottom-up" approach that Morrison encourages to engage the community ought to be replicated in Council's future plans. No amount of managerial acumen can replace students' desire for a Council president that is approachable and genuinely interested in students' needs and wants.
We congratulate each candidate for a job well done thus far. Nevertheless, for the reasons outlined above, we encourage students to elect Hood as Council's next president. His dedication and experience should serve the University community well during the year to come.
Read More
CARTER: U.Va. Health owes clarity to transplant patients
By Nathaniel Carter | 6 hours agoUnfortunately, this negative press is fully the fault of U.Va. Health — it failed to address significant stakeholder concerns when crafting its justification.
EDITORIAL: Upholding medical amnesty is a collective effort
By Editorial Board | 23 hours agoUniversity leadership, Greek life organizations and students themselves must recommit to the safety provided by an effective and knowledgeable use of medical amnesty.
KURTZWEIL: Dockworkers’ unions cannot avoid the threat of automation
By Paul Kurtzweil | 2 days agoInstead of continuing to demand decreased automation, the union should work with the legislature in the hopes of driving investment into the reorganization of the current workforce.
