Almost nothing can spoil sweet victory, unless it’s the
surprise that’s ruined. Newly crowned A.S. President Donna Bean had her
surprise ruined months ago when she entered the race as the lone candidate,
having enjoyed her victory last week almost mockingly. As a whole, Student
Voice! won unsurprising victories in a sweep that brings the slate to the
forefront of student politics. The most promising sign shows the council’s most
senior positions — the president and its three vice presidents — flying a
singular flag mission statement and set of principles.
The flaccid attitude of the elections may not last long, as
Bean will push budget discussions up a week to accommodate an early absence at
the quarter’s end. Debates over the budget will provide the first signs of
trouble, as councilmembers tackle hulking financial questions. The largest
question hovers over the Sun God Festival’s ballooning costs, in which students
may be forced to shoulder via a wildly unpopular activity fee hike. Budget
discussions will also undoubtedly touch on hot topics such as the increasingly
questionable vitality of the Grove Caffe and expenditures of athletics-related
entities like Triton Tide.
SV! candidates say that they substituted the time and effort
usually reserved for competitive campaigning for bonding over and discussing
pressing campus issues. It is intangible, emotive work that should help to
unify the council; it is the kind of work better done earlier than later.
Considering the quick turnover of student leaders, stability in slate agendas
and concentrated effort on singular aims are the best chance at securing UCSD
student empowerment.
The health of student empowerment, SV!’s platform, will make
or break Bean’s legacy, and eventually that of the slate. Her hope toward
institutionally strengthening the student hinges on her senatorial transition
program, which will help ease new students into the campus’ political process
and hopefully equip them with the basic understanding of their areas.
The council is currently languishing without any process
through which to train or familiarize new politicians with their duties and
responsibilities. Freshmen are eager to learn but are naive and
unknowledgeable, while upperclassmen are oftentimes content to serve only a
narrow sect of constituents.
But now, we are told that the picture will be different.
With the SV!-led council, near-finalized constitution, early start on political
work, and blinders-on intention of increasing student power on campus, Bean
promises student politicians that will be more active, well-informed and
single-minded on students’ needs.
