Editor,
The spring 2010 election indicates UNM is heading in a positive direction. As I read the headlines, listened to issues supported by the slates and read about the concerns regarding voter turnout, I was falling fast under the impression that student government issues did not register in the minds of undergrads on the level they should. The results of the Election Day proved otherwise. Turnout was at a five-year high, at around 11 percent (according to the Election Commission). While this is admittedly not a stellar figure, it is a refreshing start.
What most impressed me about this election was the balance in terms of outcome. Despite David Conway’s loss of the presidency to Lazaro Cardenas, the Wolfpack slate won seven of the 10 seats — thanks largely to good campaigning. Is this outcome the recipe for a polarized senate, or does it pave the way for great cooperative strategy? Given that both slates have some common ground on the issues, I take the optimistic view that the latter is more likely.
For example, the Full Circle slate now holds the office of president. Considering that even so, hundreds of students voted on April 14 in support of Conway and Zoe Riebli, perhaps Full Circle can consider bringing the issue of keeping Athletics events free for students to the table, while the Wolfpack slate can give consideration to Full Circle’s intent to make internships and scholarships more readily available. A cooperative ASUNM is one that gets things done.
Despite the high voter turnout, we must also consider that there are surely a number of students who did not vote because they were under the impression that their concern would not influence issues important to them. “What does ASUNM actually do? I won’t vote. That’s final,” is what one student, who declined to be named, said when I asked him if he would be voting. Senators need to give these students reason to believe otherwise. With the bright minds coming into the senate from both slates, there’s no reason this can’t be accomplished.
In sum, the high turnout is an encouraging sign that more students are taking an interest in what ASUNM is doing for their school. A student government that defines itself by cooperation, compromise, transparency and approachability may just make UNM a campus where all students feel they are doing their part. There is hope for more active participation yet. The smoothness of this semester’s election makes me proud of my student government and optimistic that good changes will soon be made.
Jeremiah Wall
UNM student
