Editor,
It is once again time for elections to take place at UNM. I hope that every student on campus realizes the importance of the elections and takes time out of their day to vote.
However, I caution you to vote carefully.
When voting for Senate candidates, try not to vote for an entire slate. There was a time when people ran for office individually and had their own unique ideas. This system fostered creativity and, I believe, a better Senate.
Unfortunately, slates, such as Senergy, have taken over the forum, and give 10 candidates the exact things to say at the exact times. There was a time when the question of three regents was a good test, but the slates just give the candidates the answers and they manage to pass the mini-test of UNM knowledge.
Vote for individuals, force them to think on their own and vote for a better Senate.
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The second issue is, of course, amendment one on the ballot. Once again, the issue of raising student fees comes into the picture.
I have one question - why doesn't the Senate try to trim its own budget before asking students to trim theirs? There is one committee in particular that comes into question when this amendment comes up - Student Special Events. About 10 years ago, this committee was worth supporting. At the time, the group offered a weekly concert that was free to students, was at the SUB and even included the likes of No Doubt. They would constantly bring in bands to the SUB ballroom that were well-worth watching, and occasionally worked with NMSU to bring even bigger bands to venues such as The Pit.
What do they do now? They put on mildly entertaining speakers and Fiestas, which is half of what it used to be.
When the SSE Committee was worth something, they had half the budget they do now. So Andrea Cook, when you are saving the students money, start there. Trim your budget. I hope that the Senate spends half the time reviewing and cutting its own budget that it did on creating two budgets in the hopes that it can steal another $6 from every student on campus.
Currently, ASUNM does not represent every student on campus, but if every student goes out and votes today, we would be a step closer to full representation. This is what it takes to have a Senate that is responsive to all student needs, so please take five minutes and vote.
John Grisham
Anderson Schools of Management student
