The cruel twist of succeeding in a campaign for elected office is that after weeks of stumping and advertising the real work is yet to come. Those who were announced last night by the University Board of Elections as the next class of student government leaders are beginning to face that fact, and the task before them as they transition into their new roles is daunting. These leaders deserve the congratulations and support of the student body as they undergo this process, but they also must avoid basking in the glory of their electoral success so that administrative operations are not disrupted and important policy initiatives are not abandoned.
The three College representatives-elect for the University Judiciary Committee will take office at a time when the body is considering ways to improve internal operations and institutional support for vulnerable minority groups. Second-year student Charity Harrell, the top vote-getter, indicated that she will pursue the latter objective by pushing for new ways to combat hate speech. Third-year student Victoria Marchetti expressed along with the other candidates a desire to extend special protection under the UJC Constitution on the basis of "gender identity." Finally, second-year student Emily Forrester focused her campaign on educating judges in the First Year Judiciary Committee, something she should be eminently qualified to do considering her past role as chair of that body.
The five individuals from the College elected to the Honor Committee will face the challenge of restructuring its by-laws in accordance with the two referenda that were passed by the student body. Third-year students Brandon Kist and Remy Wheat, the two most popular candidates, also must live up to their promises to help the Committee finally implement an online case processing system similar to what is already used by UJC. Ellie Perkins and Alex Eschenroeder, also third-year students, should follow through on their pledge to consider a reform to the honor system's single sanction policy that would allow students to remain enrolled at the University if they admit guilt after being charged with an honor offense. Finally, third-year student Liz Rosenberg should conduct the outreach that she highlighted as necessary for maintaining the Committee's relevance within the student body.
For Student Council's coequal vice presidency positions, the members-elect will need to internalize a substantial amount of procedural knowledge. Second-year College student Whit Hunter, the incoming vice president for administration, will function as Council's chief operating officer and will manage internal affairs, finances and communications. Aneesha Rao, a third-year College student who will be the next vice president for organizations, will assume the critical duties of appropriating more than $700,000 to various contracted independent organizations during the coming year and serving as a liaison between these clubs and Council.
Third-year Commerce student Dan Morrison earned the ultimate prize and will be the next Council president. His knowledge of the upper level of Council should allow him to lead the transition process and move the body forward as it seeks to address pressing issues related to safety and its own responsiveness. Moreover, after spending the past year as Council's director of University Relations, Morrison also should be able to use his experience to help create a Council that is more approachable.
As these new leaders take office, there are bound to be bumps in the road. What will determine the success or failure of these individuals' terms, however, will be their dedication in responding to mistakes and developing a knowledge of student government that will enable them to achieve the vision that they presented to voters during the campaign.
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