Letter to the Editor: Concerned Alumnus
Issue date: 4/21/06 Section: Opinion
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A concerned alumnus writes in regard to the recent campus-wide elections and their controversial results. In recent days we have been exposed to a complete spectrum of strange election irregularities ranging from violations of stipulated election policy, subsequent fines, allegations of voter intimidation and a key resignation from a winning candidate. It is my belief that justice and expedience are often opposing values and that the election committee's decision to fine a candidate and let all related controversies lay to rest, was a choice of expedience over justice.
Some might argue that the election and its results are best left in the past and we should move ahead with the candidates who have secured positions in Student Congress, albeit under less than ideal circumstances.
However, my time at DePauw has reinforced my belief that individual incidents, actions, thoughts and beliefs often have a larger impact on our campus and community as a whole. An election result that is morally and ethically deficient will in the long run likely have the spill-over effect of making our classrooms, playing fields and campus clubs more akin towards tolerating similar behavior.
Such a tolerance is counter to the spirit of DePauw and the values of our community covenant. The issue at hand challenges us to question what is more important: How to best keep the wheels of congress rolling or to ensure that our representatives on congress are elected via a process which inspires confidence and is in tune with the shared values of our community.
During most of my time at DePauw, elections for key posts were poorly contested, reflecting the student body's apathy toward Congress. Perhaps this lack of competition in many ways explains (though does not absolve) the lackadaisical approach which led to inadequacies in our current electoral process and thus serves as a good wake up call.
However, simply accepting the errors of our ways after the fact and pledging to push for reform at some future date does not go far enough, nor does it address the ethical ramifications of a tainted election result.
We stand at a crossroads today. Do we choose to be a community which can take responsibility for our faults and correct them, or do we live in self denial? Does a less than perfect election result represent our shadowy past, or is it the genesis for self introspection and further discourse?
Finding solutions to the issues I have addressed above are the prerogative of the current student body and congress. However, in my humble opinion, a fresh election for disputed posts offers a pertinent solution which is fair to all candidates concerned and in keeping with our institution's pursuit of high levels of integrity.
I urge all members of our community to continue to engage in discourse related to this series of events and am hopeful that a fitting solution will be achieved via the strength of our collective thoughts and ideas.
Pravir Singh '05
New York
Some might argue that the election and its results are best left in the past and we should move ahead with the candidates who have secured positions in Student Congress, albeit under less than ideal circumstances.
However, my time at DePauw has reinforced my belief that individual incidents, actions, thoughts and beliefs often have a larger impact on our campus and community as a whole. An election result that is morally and ethically deficient will in the long run likely have the spill-over effect of making our classrooms, playing fields and campus clubs more akin towards tolerating similar behavior.
Such a tolerance is counter to the spirit of DePauw and the values of our community covenant. The issue at hand challenges us to question what is more important: How to best keep the wheels of congress rolling or to ensure that our representatives on congress are elected via a process which inspires confidence and is in tune with the shared values of our community.
During most of my time at DePauw, elections for key posts were poorly contested, reflecting the student body's apathy toward Congress. Perhaps this lack of competition in many ways explains (though does not absolve) the lackadaisical approach which led to inadequacies in our current electoral process and thus serves as a good wake up call.
However, simply accepting the errors of our ways after the fact and pledging to push for reform at some future date does not go far enough, nor does it address the ethical ramifications of a tainted election result.
We stand at a crossroads today. Do we choose to be a community which can take responsibility for our faults and correct them, or do we live in self denial? Does a less than perfect election result represent our shadowy past, or is it the genesis for self introspection and further discourse?
Finding solutions to the issues I have addressed above are the prerogative of the current student body and congress. However, in my humble opinion, a fresh election for disputed posts offers a pertinent solution which is fair to all candidates concerned and in keeping with our institution's pursuit of high levels of integrity.
I urge all members of our community to continue to engage in discourse related to this series of events and am hopeful that a fitting solution will be achieved via the strength of our collective thoughts and ideas.
Pravir Singh '05
New York
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