Election Season Blues

Election season has arrived on the Yard yet again, and while many are excited to campaign or support, there are a few of us who are hopelessly anticipating an altered objective in relation to Southern University politics. Those of us on the outside looking in are constantly observing the issues negatively affecting the campus, along with those in power not creating effective change; we dread the experience of this ongoing cycle every election season. It is safe to say that the university has exhausted its trials of ineffective leadership.
Many attest the fact that state funding for Southern University is slim to nonexistent, but the fact of the matter is that there isn’t enough effort being put toward this matter from the SU community. The purpose of student leadership and representation is to recognize where the university needs improvement, and the needs of the student body. These issues are supposed to be identified and corrected, while garnering the assistance of students.
Typically, we stand aside and watch these leaders do the bare minimum of what is required; enough to become the faces of the university while in their Sunday best. However, understand that those of us who choose the path leading away from campus politics have a voice as well. Instead of stepping over others to approach issues that have yet to be resolved, we should give the elected officials who represent us a chance to do their jobs as our first resort.
The student body, when electing candidates, should consider not the most popular students, but the most qualified and concerned. Candidates who are the most knowledgeable of the issues we face within SU and throughout the Scotlandville community should be first choices, as they will go above and beyond their job descriptions to provide a more improved quality of life. Candidates, once elected, should take time to connect with their peers and discover individual and collective concerns, acknowledging and confronting them throughout the duration of their term.
Too often do we hear elected officials, along with administration, say the words, “I don’t know” or “That’s not in my job description”. If you have applied for a leadership role, support, service and reflect the people. You must be selfless and dedicated to the people, otherwise, step down and return your paycheck.
Progress is long overdue for Southern University. The concerns I have, coupled with a few others, are only voiced because we care about the place that is supposed to be providing us with an education and plethora of essential life lessons. At such a time of turmoil and confusion within our country, displaying excellent leadership skills and examples within our university could be a light throughout these days.
Nonetheless, much luck to those potential candidates, and may your reasoning for desiring a position of student leadership be much bigger than yourself.