When students head out to vote for student body president, they should consider the qualities they want in the next leader.
Each person has his or her own vision of what makes a good leader. To some, toughness and an extroverted personality is important. To others, intelligence outweighs all, and so on and so forth.
But what everyone can agree on is that UNC is facing a critical time in its history. The student body president will play a role in how it is handled on the student side, and that person’s actions will reflect on the whole student body.
Throughout the years, student body presidents have dealt with higher education issues that are challenging to policy experts, let alone 21-year-olds. For those who have been here for three years, they know what those issues have been: years of academic and athletic scandal, administrative transition, tuition hikes and budget cuts to name a few. Those who are still somewhat new have had their own taste, too.
The student body can debate at length about the effectiveness and student body presidents’ ability to enact real change, but no matter what, there will still be one elected, whether it be tomorrow or next week after a runoff.
Educate yourselves about what is on these four students’ platforms, because you might actually learn something. Whether that be about how UNC works, or how student leaders work to keep your voices heard, it could change your view on these elections.
But do take a moment to consider what is important to you. Is it social issues like sustainability on campus or academic issues like working on tuition with the Board of Governors? What qualities should someone have to advocate for these? And why does it matter?
Ask those questions as the student body president candidates vie to answer them for you.
