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Biederman, Gittlin and Petersack chosen as YAT finalists
Published: Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
The University announced last night that seniors Rob Biederman, Grant Gittlin and Meaghan Petersack are the three finalists in the running for the Class of 2008’s Young Alumni Trustee (YAT) position.
The three seniors were chosen from a pool of 21 ...(back to the article)
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rather than casting blame on the system, and feeling sorry for those who didn't do USG, why not take some responsibility as voters and simply not vote for the "popular" candidates. be an educated voter and find out about the candidates who aren't the easily recognizable ones! the bios that are included with each candidate are just enough to allow for semi-educated voting, but my guess is that most people don't even bother to look at those. I know this isn't the solution you want because it requires more effort on the part of the student body, but I think that allowing campaigning for YAT would be more awful than having the three most popular candidates win
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Agreed with the first two posts. This is truly absurd, and this year more than past years has turned the institution of YAT on its head. Rather than a sheer popularity contest, it is evident that the YAT is a competition of name recognition. Walkinshaw is the only YAT of recent past that has not been a class or USG President. The current system has truly disenfranchised the 18 other fantastic candidates that ran for this. Due to invaluable contributions that they made to the university in the shadows, rather than in the limelight of USG, they truly did not have a chance in this election. Half of campaigning is making your name known. The three primary elects have had the opportunity to do that for several years through USG elections, USG work, and the Prince's coverage. They have all certainly made valuable contributions through USG, but this election significantly favors them merely through the name recognition that their positions gave them. I would be curious to know if Katie Lawrence, the other major USG figure that ran, was in 4th place. To address the counter argument that their being elected to USG in the past is indicative of the support, I would urge that one consider how uncompetitive USG elections tend to be. Gittlin and Beiderman were the only two that ran for USG president. Gittlan may have defeated others in the past for class of '08 President, but when someone truly challenged him last year, he lost. And Petersack's position has been unopposed in some years. USG does good work, but USG positions don't grant (not pun intended) much respect or authority. They are not highly coveted.
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The bottom two messages sum up the problems and a great solution quite clearly. Hopefully these candidates aren't too interested in resume padding, and actually having some ideas and dialogue at our school. Hell, if one of them dropped out based on that suggestion they'd have my vote for actually caring about this school and its processes enough to be unselfish- which is ultimately what a trustee should be.
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I know this is a long shot... but I know the three of you all really care about the student body. And you all know that a majority of us think it is positively ridiculous that there's no campaigning allowed in YAT elections. The three of you have the power to make an important statement to the trustee board. You should all step out of the race in protest, thereby ensuring that we don't continue to have a USG president (or similar) coronation every year. If you care enough about the student body (more than ego) you can do this!
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big surprise... the three candidates from whom we have received the most emails and other communications are nominated... it's time to make YAT elections more than just a popularity contest. if this is more than just a token from the trustee board to appease students then we should understand what the candidates want to do as YATs. otherwise, this is sheer silliness.
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