Student government positions on the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ) and the Committee on Student Life (CSL) have been filled without an election, as fewer students than there were seats available submitted petitions at the Elections Board (ELBO) candidate's meeting last week. The non-election is the second this spring; all candidates for the TCU Senate were automatically named to the Senate two weeks ago because of a lack of competition.
Only six students submitted petitions to fill the seven TCUJ positions. Junior Michael Ferenczy and sophomores Adam Biacchi and Alison Clarke will return to the Judiciary for a second term, while freshmen Jen Mendel and Mikhel Schecter, and sophomore Reid Van Gorder are new to student government.
An election to fill the remaining seat will be held in the fall when the freshmen compete for their eight Senate seats.
The five CSL spaces were automatically given to junior Amanda Berkowitz, sophomores Sam Dangremond and Megan Liotta, and freshmen Talia Alexander and Simon Holroid.
There was a slight controversy over the TCUJ elections when Biacchi turned in his petition on time but failed to attend the mandatory candidates meeting. But ELBO determined that Biacchi was not disqualified because an ELBO member had initially told him that the meeting was optional.
Some student government leaders attribute the low interest in both of these branches of government to a general feeling on campus that student government is doing a good job and there is no need for change.
"I'd like to think everything has gone well and properly, and students are content to just kind of let us run and manage student government like we're supposed to and have been doing," CSL member Sam Dangremond said. "I find it ironic that this campus as a whole is generally thought of having a high level of political involvement, but not many students are involved in student government."
"CSL is not generally contested because we're not really in the public eye as much as [the TCUJ] or the Senate," said Shou Min Tan, the CSL chair. "I'm not so concerned whether [elections] take place, so long as there are qualified people who are passionate about serving the student body. Student government is not a popularity contest."
While low student interest has been normal for the CSL in recent years, the lack of competition for TCUJ seats came as a surprise to many. The TCUJ received much publicity this year after its controversial decision in the TCF case, and not all student leaders agree that students are students are satisfied with their government.
"Normally, a low interest and low turnout would be a sign that [student government is] doing well and that people don't want to change what's going on. But I know that among some circles this year, there was dissatisfaction with the TCUJ and I'm disappointed," TCUJ chair Mike Ferenczy said. "I would like to see people get involved with something that could affect them."
"It's a little shocking, because from what I understand, there were a lot of student groups who were expressing a desire to flood student government with their representatives, but none of them submitted petitions," ELBO chair Shane Mason said.
ELBO treasurer Valentino Caruso said the problem is a general lack of student interest in its government. "Apathy is apathy no matter what the cause is," he said.
The lack of student interest in the elections raises questions as to whether people will turn out to vote in Wednesday's TCU presidential elections. In order for the constitutional referendum and two accompanying amendments on the ballot to pass, 20 percent of the student body must vote on the question.
In an effort to increase voter turnout, ELBO will be extending polling hours at the campus center to 11 p.m. ELBO will also advertise the election through posters and e-mails.
Any changes in the elections system will be left up to the new Senate, and it is likely that the system will come up for review in the 2001-2002 academic year.
