Editorial

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Students: Stop Ignoring Stugo

Last year, out of 16 total elected Stugo positions, 11 senators were "voted" in facing zero challengers, and no one even ran for the position of communications director.

Unfortunately, the greater student body could not have cared less.

Such waning interest might be the result of several obstacles: a lack of understanding about Stugo's value, frustration with Stugo's ambiguous purpose or -- worst of all -- an apathetic student body.

Either way, whether students are interested or not, they are funding Stugo through their tuition payments. And if students continue to avoid their voting responsibilities, Multnomah's student government election will become little more than a glorified contest to determine who has the most on-campus friends, not who can best lead the student body.

This year must not be a repeat of last year's executive council elections when only 150 out of approximately 600 eligible voters actually voted.

When Multnomah as a whole supports student government, Stugo has the potential to be an effective organization that leads students toward Christ-like living.

As a student, if you disagree with Stugo's spending, leadership, planning, or activity in general, then run for office and work to change things.

On the other hand, if you appreciate the way Stugo allocates its resources and leads the student body, then run for office, and work to preserve the organization.

For those who can't run, offer support to the best student leader during this year's March election. Encourage each other. Engage in good debate. Exchange ideas, philosophies and strategies that will develop a vibrant and useful student government.

Do not say, "Whatever. Who cares?" Such blatant apathy destroys community and has no valuable position in the life of any voter -- national or local.

On March 6, 7, 12 and 13, Multnomah needs to work together, to vote and to say: "Our tuition money matters to us, and our brothers and sisters working on the student government need our support."

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