Editor,
This is in response to the punishments issued to the ASUNM election violators. Although I lack knowledge of every detail of this situation, I witnessed violations and know what arguments were heard in the student court hearing.
I feel the penalties given by the Elections Commission lack sufficient severity. The Elections Commission, which was responsible for deciding punishments for election code violators, conducted a meeting where violators were in the same room. How could the Elections Commission make an unbiased, nonpressured decision when the violators were sitting just feet away from them?
In spite of the multitude of violations, three individuals were awarded Senate positions. One of these individuals stated the election code is "ambiguous." I fail to understand how a person who has run in three elections and who has sat through multiple candidates' meetings, where rules about the election are made clear, could be confused. It is unfortunate that seasoned candidates, one of whom acted as elections chair for several years, would so blatantly disregard rules and lead their slate in carrying out multiple violations.
As a former senator, I am appalled that Senate seats are filled by individuals who exhibited faulty judgments and deceit in the actions they took. ASUNM Senate is responsible for making decisions that benefit all undergraduates. Due to this highly important task, I believe senators should exhibit a level of high ethical and moral standard. Having individuals sit on Senate who do not display such characteristics is an insult to the organization and University as a whole.
Marina Weisert
UNM student
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