Something will be missing tomorrow, but very few students remember what was supposed to happen. The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate election, an event that involves all non-graduating students, was canceled when none of the open seats were contested.
With the presidential elections and constitutional amendment referendums approaching, questions have been raised as to whether or not there will be a sufficient voter turnout to pass an amendment given the perceived lack of interest in the Senate.
One student, freshman Jared Blum, was completely unaware of the Senate elections, and does not plan to vote in the upcoming presidential elections. "I guess I'm lazy," he said. And Blum is not alone. Many students do not know anything about the issues relating to tomorrow's non-election, or the upcoming ballot on the TCU Judiciary, Committee on Student Life, presidential race, and constitutional amendments.
Voter turnout is critical to the referendums, as they cannot be passed unless 20 percent of students cast a vote. Three proposals are on the ballet: one that would overhaul the entire constitution, one that would allow culture representatives to vote, and another that would add identity and belief protection to the Judiciary's jurisdiction.
But many senators do not seem concerned that the perceived lack of interest in the Senate will effect the April 25 elections.
"Absolutely not," said Senate Parliamentarian Benjamin Lee, who proposed one of the amendments. CSL member Sam Dangremond, who also proposed an amendment, agreed. "I do not believe that the lack of Senate elections will result in a lower voter turnout for the elections on the 25th," he said. "If anything, the fact that students will only be asked to vote on one day may result in a higher voter turnout. I believe that this year's tight presidential election, also being held on the 25th, will draw many people in to vote."
Sixteen of the 20 "elected" senators for the 2001-2002 are current senators, and had already gone through the election process at least once.
Senate Vice President and presidential hopeful Eric Greenberg believes that the low number of candidates may signal that students feel that their needs are being met by the Senate. "In some ways you could look at the lack of people running as an indication that students are generally content with the work being done by the Senate. Usually, when other people run it is because they believe they can do the job better than the incumbents," he said.
Senior Lou Tavares said that it's not satisfaction with the Senate, but rather a lack of interest in the Senate, that is the root of the problems. "I didn't even know there were elections going on," he said.
But there is a consensus among senators, both past and future, that the non-election is not a significant issue.
"I think it's very sad whenever there is not an election, but I think, of the people returning to the Senate, they're very good at what they do. I don't think it will be a detriment to the Senate in any way," said Senate Treasurer Michele Shelton, another presidential hopeful. Senate President David Moon agreed, saying the non-election was "not really a big deal."
Many senators, though, are quick to acknowledge a rift between the Senate and the rest of the student body.
"The student body, or at least a good portion of it, feels somewhat disconnected from the Senate, and it should be the goal of the new Senate to reach out to the community," Greenberg said.
The current vice president also pointed to a less media-hungry Senate as one reason that students aren't aware of what the student government does, and how it can affect the quality of life at Tufts.
Tufts Transgendered, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) Co-Coordinator Mike Lambert agrees with Greenberg: "There's a general sentiment that the Senate is a figurehead of the administration, and it's unable to take any policy initiatives or accomplish anything of importance," he said. "People don't take an interest in the events of the Senate and therefore, when they hear popular rumors about how the Senate doesn't do anything, they agree."
Although Lambert readily acknowledged the accomplishments of the Senate over the past year, he too expressed concerns over its ability to truly affect change. "The Senate helped resolve the [Tufts Christian Fellowship] controversy by proposing to amend the nondiscrimination policy to protect a student's 'belief and identity,'" he said. "However, I'm very concerned that the University might not back up the policy should it be challenged."
