The Oberlin Review \ Topic of the Week

Student Senate Fall 1997 Election

We asked students, faculty and an administrator what impressions they have of Student Senate and why they think so many Oberlin students don't vote during senate elections:

David Jacobs is a college senior.

I really don't like Senate. I'm the kind of guy who'll criticize them even though I don't know that much, but it seems like they are useless. Any time they try and do something good, like fight need-blind admissions, it always comes in the form of statements instead of actions, but then they make all these stupid rules like having organizations redo their charters. They're just a pain in my ass. I'd like to see them provide more support to activists on campus instead of being this benevolent dictator sort of organization. And I can't believe that stipend shit went through. Now the same assholes are going to get paid for doing nothing.

Jeff Little is a college first-year.

I voted, but I didn't really know any of those people. I knew Stankard from Hall Council. I have no empirical knowledge of what Senate does.

Laurie Rhodebeck is an associate professor of politics.

I am new at Oberlin this year; so there are many things I don't know about Oberlin students. But, having observed student government elections at other colleges, I've noticed that students often fail to vote because they think the outcome will have little effect on the things that matter to students.

Steven Volk is an associate professor of history.

It is my impression that the Senate doesn't work well at all. There is not much student participation and voting. There is an increasing frustration from students about exactly what it does. The Senate has had a hard time figuring out what its basic form of organization is ... I don't think there's a consensus of the legitimacy of its form of organization and that troubles it at one level ... I think that the Senate lacks a fundamental authority to be able to speak for the students to the general faculty. I would guess if it did have that sense of authority people would come regularly with opinions and present demands.

Laura Levin is a college first-year.

I don't plan on voting because I don't know any of the candidates. I have no idea what Senate does. I would vote if it was publicized more though.

Jeremiah Johnson is a college senior.

I threw my ballot in the garbage. I saw Student Senate on the paper, and I threw the thing away. When something starts to affect me, I'll vote.

Camalo Gaskin is a college sophomore.

As far as I know, at this point, Senate has a number of committees that make up the structure. One of them is the Student Finance Committee which allocates funds to different organizations and projects. Another committee helps in the decision to hire faculty. I'm not too sure about the process of either. The problem is we do no know a thing about the candidates. (what they look like, what they do/ have done, etc) I personally know three of the candidates, and I'm confident that one of them will do a decent job-whatever that means .

Bill Stackman is the Associate Dean of Student Life and Services.

My impression of the organization is that there's a real need to have a student government in place. I couldn't be more excited and impressed about the senators that are currently involved in Senate ... I feel like they are very committed to the role of the Senate. I feel that they are very passionate about what they are doing, and they have a good grip on issues facing students as well as addressing the needs of all students. They are really trying to understand and bring in the various concerns of the entire student body ... It is often a challenge to get people to vote and be involved in student government. It is a challenge on most campuses to get people out there and involved in the entire campus, voicing their concerns, attending meetings and voting.

Dan Persky is a Student Senator and a college senior.

I think Student Senate is off to a great start this year. It's a new organization with new promises, new goals and vibrant individuals willing to commit. I don't think the voter turnout is actually that low. You look at many elections of different organization where there is a five to 10 percent turnout. But at the same time ours is at a real low because people are committed to different causes and might not want to be part of the student government.

Chris Howell is an associate professor of politics.

Students are more concerned with broader community issues. There's a huge amount of political activity at Oberlin, but it is more directed towards various issues including environmental and labor issues. To me, it's not an issue of general apathy ... students have healthy skepticism about college specific issues.

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