This is Amazing

" We hold these truths to be self-evident ..." Ummhh, no, we don't.

(Flickr photo courtesy of kingofhiking under Creative Commons license.)

While attending the AACC annual conference, I was talking with a colleague from another two-year school here in Minnesota. He told me a story about his college's chapter of the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA).

It seems that the current ('06-07) officers of Student Government on campus decided that the ONLY people who would be ALLOWED to vote in the elections for '07-08 officers were the current student senators and officers. Suprisingly enough (not), the current Vice President was elected as President for next year.

While perusing their Student Government web page, I came across these two statements:

• "Our mission is to have all students be represented in the affairs of the college."
• "Anyone is welcome to attend and we encourage all students to get involved."

And finally there is this statement: "Help make a difference and get your voice heard as an XXX Student Government Senator." Apparently the ONLY way to have a voice is to be a senator. No other students are even allowed to VOTE!!

This is an amazing example of really poor leadership by campus student representatives. What amazes me more is that the MSCSA state leadership told them (according to my very good source) that it was perfectly okay for the current Student Government to NOT ALLOW the student body to vote in the Student Government elections for next year.

Wouldn't it be great if all elections were run this way? Would it really be so bad? Isn't this the best possible example of democracy in action? :(

BTW - I'm temporarily not naming this school just in case there turns out to be any factual errors in this report. However, my source is excellent and I'm not trying to protect their identities for any particular reason. This should be public record and it should be talked about!!