Students deserve to have results

It is undeniable that this year’s elections have been a circus, but I have good news: It is almost over.

Tomorrow, you have the chance to decide who will lead us out from under the big tent and start working on the real issues students face. All you have to do is vote.

We come to UNC to excel in academics, meet new friends and explore the world.

We may come from different places, have different backgrounds and pursue different dreams, but we are all united by one purpose: We want to improve ourselves and improve the world around us.

We are movers and shakers, and we are not content to watch from the sidelines. We demand excellence of ourselves and others. Why should we settle for anything less when it comes to our student government?

You have an opportunity to set a higher standard for leadership and demand results.

If this election season has taught us anything, it is that there is a lot of work to be done and it is time we bring a sensible approach to student government: an approach that is student-focused and results-driven.

This is the philosophy I have used successfully to organize and inspire thousands of students to action, most notably against the $13 million South Road Bridge. And I want to continue to do this as your student body president.

It’s time we had a student body president that produced results you could see.

For too long, we have settled for quantity over quality, promises over results and talk over substance.

I have seen the problems we face, but I believe in our ability to come together and make a difference. That’s the Carolina Way.

Student government is more than an institution, it is a network of connections, relationships and untapped opportunities across campus that can be leveraged to better your life.

We can open Rams Head Deck after 5 p.m. and add cubes at the Student and Academic Services Building to make South Campus a destination.

We can push for flexible student meal options that fit your lifestyle.

We can rethink our approach toward safety and diversity to build an inclusive environment in which anyone with the academic ability can come to UNC and to succeed.

This is the magical thing about UNC — students have a voice and can make a difference. I am asking you to take a moment tomorrow and make your voice heard.

There is too much at stake to allow decisions on tuition, academics and fees to be made without a strong student advocate.

I have shown that I can be that advocate both on campus, with the South Road Bridge, and at the state level when I helped stop a $200 tuition tax on students.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, the student body president must be willing to take a strong and effective stand in our defense.

That is the kind of proven leadership we need in a student body president, and that is why I am asking for your vote.

Hark the Sound!

Ian Lee is a SBP Candidate. He is a guest columnist for the Daily Tar Heel. Lee is a junior business major from Cary. Contact him at ianwlee@email.unc.edu.