To the candidates: Focus on achievable ends

Last week, The Daily Princetonian published a sneak preview article for the upcoming USG elections. Strangely, it had an energetic, Election 2008 feel. Reading that article without some type of dramatic beat in the background just may be inappropriate.

In the vein of any New York Times or USA Today article discussing White House intrigue, the article was full of interesting questions and even more interesting comments by USG officials who, being ever so cautious, insisted on anonymity. Experienced journalists will tell you that anonymity is the least desired label for a source. When someone insists on remaining a mystery to your readers, you only allow them their wish after you've attempted everything to have things otherwise. Assuming the 'Prince' did this, we must conclude that the asserted sensitivity of this delicate situation is just that.

I doubt it, though. For those looking beyond the perceived glory of being in the USG, outsiders who examine their real impact will see that their accomplishments are small yet plentiful: Organizing shuttles for shopping or games, increasing the number of operational printing clusters, and other acts that often go ignored but make up a positive undergraduate experience.

Unfortunately, it seems that the minuscule yet important goals, the ones that usually yield success for the USG, will hardly be the stuff this election campaign is made of. For one, the article's sources noted the uncertainty among current USG officers and Princeton's self-appointed social elite (members of Ivy?) over whether or not the two candidates "will actually diverge" on the residential colleges. Despite the testimony of unnamed USG officials, grade deflation seems destined to join the residential colleges in this year's debate.

Should candidates tackle these far-reaching issues? Anyone who paid attention to last year's USG election campaign will recollect the ample time wasted (by the candidates, the 'Prince,' everyone) on debating whether or not the USG should support an amicus curiae brief for same-sex marriage in New Jersey. Instead of discussing goals that could actually have tangible benefits for all, numerous 'Prince' column spots were occupied to discuss whether or not a scarce majority of Princeton students voicing their support for gay marriage in a shady, online vote would radically improve the Princeton experience. National issues such as affirmative action or gay marriage should always be on the radar of the USG and the student body, but achievable ends must always receive a priority.

In February, the 'Prince' Editorial Board expressed their ambivalent feelings towards Leslie-Bernard Joseph '06's efforts to tackle race-related issues at the University. Joseph was pegged by most as a president who, in the end, went far beyond his mandate to push for egalitarianism. But when we look at the USG's focus over the past year, we can see that small, concrete improvements (such as our 200 MB webmail upgrade) have once again been joined by broad policy objectives that appear to have little chance of realization, at the expense of more pertinent issues.

Issues such as grade deflation and the residential colleges are nice issues in theory for the USG to discuss, but have they detracted from other goals, ones within our grasp? Shortly into the school year, Frist late meal was gutted by Princeton's Happy Police, but would things have been the same if USG president Alex Lenahan '07 hadn't devoted so much time planning talks concerning the residential colleges, whose key components appear to have been decided far in advance? What about those lengthy emails on grade deflation, the ones you've never read in their entirety? We're concerned about the residential colleges and especially about grade deflation, but under the USG's constitution, they're severely limited in what they can accomplish.

The University's determination to rein in on runaway grades seemed to have been overlooked by Lenahan who, despite an early warning from the 'Prince' against doing so, became fixated on completely reversing the grading policy that had the strong backing of the faculty. Was there anyone else within the USG working to contain the similar, reckless behavior mirroring the tactics (such as rambling emails) that seemed to gain LBJ infamy? After seeing no changes in strategy over the past year, I would guess not.

If the 'Prince's' captivating sneak peak is what it appears to be, then it seems that we're in for another dizzying USG election season. Rookie candidates will be heard advocating the tar-and-feathering of Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel over grade deflation or maybe a seizure of Nassau Hall until the University reneges on its lofty objectives concerning the residential colleges. The rhetoric may not elevate to these extremes, but I wager that many upcoming proposals over the coming weeks will prove ultimately counterproductive. We can only hope that with so few candidates this season, there will be room for constructive debate, and just possibly that we'll be pleasantly surprised. David Smart is a sophomore from Los Angeles, Calif. He can be reached at dsmart@princeton.edu.