Again and again in this election season we've heard calls for transparency in the Student Government. The candidates and the judicial boards have talked plenty. I think it's worth hearing a word or two from the rest of us.
Friday night, after The Eagle's editorial board said out loud what we'd been mumbling about for days, some other senators and I took action - we talked to the presidential candidates to get them all to run as write-ins. It was unfair and it was dramatic. But whatever impact it would have on the individuals, the write-in solution had two benefits for the institution they all wanted to run.
In an election marred with chaos and error, it would bring every candidate down to the same competitive level. And more importantly, it would be a signal that the Student Government wasn't blindly focused on its own proceedings and could recognize the dysfunction in front of it.
Nirvana Habash was already off the ballot. Nate Bronstein said he would do it if everyone took themselves off. Anthony Dunham said that he would do it if Seth Rosenstein would too - but he didn't want to leave just one name on the ballot.
Seth wouldn't do it. He wouldn't punish himself because others had made mistakes, and he wanted to change the Student Government for the better. And so since Seth wouldn't do take himself off the ballot, Anthony wouldn't, and because Anthony wouldn't, Nate Bronstein wouldn't. The needs of the individuals struck down the needs of the institution.
I haven't endorsed any candidate for the presidency. I don't blame them entirely for the tragicomic elections — our regulations are flawed. But I wish they could rise above these procedural snags. They want to run the AUSG. I wish they'd take a little longer to think about what they can do for it as candidates, and not just as the president.
Adam Daniel-Wayman School of Public Affairs '13 Senator for the Class of 2012
This Student Government election, we have an important decision to make about the future of sustainability at AU. The Clean Energy Revolving Fund referendum will determine whether our tuition dollars continue to fund dirty fossil fuels or whether we invest in a renewable energy future and make AU a leader in sustainability.
By voting 'YES' on the referendum, we can send a message loud and clear to student government and to the AU administration that our campus supports sustainability. For the cost of less than a meal swipe, a late-night pizza, or a couple cups of coffee, we can make a one-time investment in clean energy and make AU a truly green school. With the resources it needs, the CERF will help build windmills on top of Bender Arena, install solar panels on the roofs of residence halls and make a host of other clean energy projects at AU a reality.
There are those who say that we should wait for others to donate to CERF even if it takes years to be successful. The fact is that we cannot afford to wait.
We cannot afford to wait while George Washington, Georgetown and campuses across this country are investing in clean energy, and AU falls behind. We cannot afford to wait while the urgent crisis of climate change and its consequences go unchecked. We cannot afford to wait when this week we have the power to make our campus carbon neutral and make AU a leader in the sustainable revolution.
By voting 'YES' this Tuesday and Wednesday, we change the way we get our energy and make AU a better, brighter and more sustainable school.
Stephen Bronskill School of Public Affairs, 2013
For a very politically active campus, it seems that AU students are not very aware of their own campus politics. Tomorrow, March 23, you have the opportunity to vote on the most significant initiative in your college career: the Clean Energy Revolving Fund. This fund would bring efficient wind turbines and solar panels on campus so that AU can achieve its green dream and stop using fossil fuels. Any money saved from using these clean machines would go back into the fund for more clean energy. We must stop dreaming green and start doing green, but in order for this to happen we need your help. If students agree to make a one-time donation of ten dollars, the CERF Fund can be created and more clean energy on campus can be a reality. Ten dollars may seem annoying, but I bet you spend that much on alcohol or pizza on the weekend. Think about it: clean, renewable energy for the same price as a pizza. And because it is a revolving fund, your 10 dollars will keep on growing. You can have a profound impact on the future of AU, the planet and your children just by donating 10 dollars. Vote yes on March 23.
Sincerely, Sara Schwartz
The students of AU have strived to fill a leadership role on some of the most pressing issues of our time. In that strain of thought, the continued role of AU as a polluter has let down our community. The science of climate change is irrefutable but it has unnecessarily become a lightening rod of controversy and partisanship throughout the country. The world is fast approaching a climate tipping point, after which the damage incurred by the continued rise of global temperature would be catastrophic.
As a university, we've reached the point where inaction on climate change is a reckless course. For this reason, the community must embrace the use of green technology and green energy sources. The Clean Energy Revolving Fund would create an avenue for the development of sustainable technology on campus through both energy efficiency and green energy production. In addition to the necessity for action, there is also the economic benefits and energy security that would accompany any attempt by the university to create green solutions. The nominal increase of 10 dollars per student, bolstered by grant and fundraising money would allow the university to take action where it has been previously unable.
The growing necessity for the university to take onus for its carbon footprint can be seen in the effects of current energy production on the environment, issues of energy security and the economic benefits it would gain by being more energy efficient. In the coming referendum on Tuesday, March 23 and March 24, please vote yes for clean energy and help AU move towards a greener, more secure future.
Peter Bengtson School of Public Affairs 2010
