Central Student Government will forever be an organization that I cherish and revere. I’ve had the immense privilege of serving the student body this past year as the assembly’s School of Kinesiology representative. In so many ways, this organization has shaped and molded me as a person — it has pushed and driven my passion for serving others, motivated me to pursue my biggest and most ambitious ideas, humbled me and given me perspective on the experiences and issues that many of my peers encounter on a daily basis.
CSG has such an incredible opportunity to meaningfully impact the lives of students at this University. Whether it be through the advocacy of food security resources, game day hydration stations, funding of menstrual products in University bathrooms or supporting mandatory consent training, CSG has shown its capacity to make a tangible change on this campus. It is because of this organization’s considerable potential to make a difference that the selection of its next line of leadership is so critical and important.
While I recognize this organization’s capabilities, I also recognize CSG has little to no meaning to many students on this campus. I recognize there have been numerous occasions when CSG has come off as out of touch, unrepresentative and pretentious. It is my sincere hope that this organization continues to bridge the gap between itself and the students it may have disenfranchised.
As someone who originally planned on running for CSG president, it has been interesting for me to watch from the sidelines as this election cycle has unfolded. While I have remained largely uninvolved throughout this entire process, I wanted to share my thoughts, concerns and observations as the campaign season winds to an end and the polls open.
To the Candidates:
Over the past month, I have watched you all launch five different campaigns and roll out five different representative slates. I have listened to a lot of your different platform points and have heard some of your buzz words and campaign rhetoric. I’ve seen a lot of you campaigning on the Diag and have seen you promote your parties and platforms through social media. In many ways, I have been impressed by the resiliency, steadfastness and shared passion you have all showcased throughout this election cycle. This is not an easy job you have signed up for. Your willingness to carry out the responsibilities of CSG president or vice president (if elected) is commendable in more ways than a few.
However, I truly question if the student body has been offered anything different, new or novel in concept from your campaigns. I have been disappointed by the lack of creativity and innovation shown by many of your parties. I know as well as you that CSG can be restricted in what it can do and accomplish, but nonetheless, it is up to you to continue to push the needle if you are elected. It is absolutely crucial for you all to continue to ask yourselves what value you are bringing to this campus through CSG, and what ideas and work you are providing to this University. What have you done and what will you do that is deserving of student attention? I would implore the winning executive ticket to challenge themselves and push for a CSG that is transformative in look and feel. A tremendous portion of students at this University could not care less about the CSG that currently resides. It’s up to the next administration to change this.
When it comes to your intentions in seeking this level of office, I hope they are truly rooted in the undying motivation to serve this University and to help its students. I witnessed enough unsavory behavior leading up to this election season to make me wonder about this. This campus is not in need of any more individuals who are self-interested or motivated in any shape or form by status and influence. For the two of you who will win, this job will be demanding in ways you have not already anticipated. Because of this, your enthusiasm for serving this student body must be unwavering and unquestionable. The election season is when you have the opportunity to make noise. The actual premise and demand of your job, however, will measure your capacity to make a meaningful impact on this campus. Winning the election is only one small piece of the puzzle.
I leave you all with this advice: One, constantly remind yourself that while many students are completely uninterested in CSG, so many count on the work that you do two, don’t retreat into the shadows if you aren’t fortunate enough to win — this campus needs more people who are willing to go out of their way to help others; three, relax and understand the position you’re seeking isn’t worth you sacrificing friendships or your personal integrity/character; and four, if elected, always do what you believe is the right thing to do. Don’t overthink it.
To the Students:
If you have read this far, I’m guessing you have at least some sort of interest in CSG or at least acknowledge some of the capabilities student government has to shape and move forward campus. Kudos to you, really (I can’t imagine that my writing is that interesting). And congratulations on almost making it through another CSG election cycle. It’s up to you to pick the candidates who best exemplify your interests, who you believe will do the best job, who are the most apt to lead and who are the most deserving. If you’ve ever felt CSG has missed the mark or fallen short of your expectations, now is your chance to make a difference.
In a race with so many candidates and parties, it will be more than easy to overlook platforms and ideas for popularity/recognizability and social media presence. Please don’t do that. Make sure your vote is an informed one and make sure you cast your ballot for an executive ticket and list of representative candidates who you truly feel are most qualified and most able to address the various needs of students on this campus. This University deserves a student government that features elected leaders with the greatest capacity and willingness to make a difference.
I won’t take any more of your time. Thanks for hanging on with me.
Efe Edevbie is a Kinesiology junior.