Letter to the Editor: SafeBus bill not a coalition idea

By KANSAN

Friday, April 6, 2007

In Tasha Riggins’ March 15 editorial, “Tabling bill is unfair,” she refers to the tabling of the “newly adopted Delta Force SafeBus bill” as a poor decision by Student Senate.

My first point of contention is with the reasoning Riggins used to oppose the tabling. The concerns that were brought up were valid and were not yet answered. When it comes to student money, whether students have an opportunity to vote, it behooves Senate to turn a more critical eye on programs. Senate made a prudent decision based on the information it had.

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Election time is sometimes difficult to navigate because you will be told many different things from many different sources. Here is the solution: as candidates make claims during the next week, don’t be afraid to question the candidates and coalitions about the exactitudes of their platforms, what they intend to do or even what they have personally done.

The other response to the editorial concerns the linking of the bill to Delta Force. Perhaps Riggins misunderstood the situation or perhaps there is something larger at play here. In any case, to set the record straight: SafeBus is a Student Senate project — not Delta Force, not United Students and not Student Rights — that was initiated by Ignite, a coalition that no longer exists.

This leads to some greater advice that should be made as student elections approach. Many coalitions and candidates will make great claims about not only what they will do, but also what they have done.

Some coalitions will claim that they are going to accomplish something great. Ask yourself and then the candidates the following questions: “Is this within the scope of Senate?” and “How can this be accomplished?” Coalitions will make claims on past accomplishments as well. When they tell you about something they or their coalition has accomplished previously ask these questions: “How was the person or current members of the coalition involved in that project?” and “Did they make things happen or did they watch things happen?”

Moral of the story: Senate can be a very beneficial and influential body to consider the deeper merits of many different aspects of students’ lives; however, election time is sometimes difficult to navigate because you will be told many different things from many different sources. Here is the solution: as candidates make claims during the next week, don’t be afraid to question the candidates and coalitions about the exactitudes of their platforms, what they intend to do or even what they have personally done.

Once you have armed yourself with the answers to all of your questions, don’t forget to vote online April 11th and 12th.

Editorial: Tabling bill is unfair

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/news/2007/mar/15/riggins_ed/

Tabled bill offers alternative to SafeRide

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Coalition claims moral victory

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Student coalition opts to focus on issues ...

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Candidates answer questions at debate

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SafeBus sees an increase in ridership

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Delta Force files election complaint

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Student Senate delivers some platform promises, others ...

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Delta Force focuses on sexual health, sustainability

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Editorial: New Senate group promising if it ...

Connect must stay faithful to its founding principles.

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Better safe than sorry

SafeRide and SafeBus provide an often-unappreciated service to students.

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Student Voice coalition alleges bias in elections ...

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SafeBus program sees increase in riders

Recent changes to the SafeBus routes cause more ridership.

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Delta Force accused of election violation

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Student senators overcome old coalition allegiances

KUnited's super majority has not prevented active discussion on new legislation.

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Delta Force adds platforms

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Student Senate Elections Commission hosts debate

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Coalitions debate

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Senators question student body president’s vetoes

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Delta Force announces student body office candidates

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SafeBus makes its maiden voyage

Two buses will operate on each of three routes to take students ...

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Candidates propose transit changes

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Editorial: Campaign trailblazers

Instead of aspiring for Senate positions, Delta Force utilizes a nontraditional campaign ...

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SafeBus changes routes because of complaints

Safebus will no longer stop at 9th and Maine Streets.

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Editorial: Kansan endorses Heilman, encourages split-ticket vote

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Student Senate debate accepting questions

Students still have time to turn in questions for next Monday’s debate ...

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United Students win top seats in election

United Students secure the Senate with 51 percent of the student vote, ...

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Profiles of Candidates

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Student Senate ready to fill freshmen seats

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Coalitions release election platforms; new group joins

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Coalitions withdraw violation complaints

Both complaints issued by United Students and Delta Force coalitions were withdrawn ...

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