Editorial: Out with the old, in with ConnectKU

For president and vice president of Student Senate, ConnectKU is the propitious choice.

By Kelsey Hayes (Contact)

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

After meeting with each of the three prospective coalitions, the Kansan editorial board has decided to endorse ConnectKU in its bid to lead the student body through the 2008-09 school year.

Each coalition presented thoughtful platforms and demonstrated an interest in improving the student body.

What's the most important issue in this year's Student Senate election?

Revamping Potter Lake

Building windmills on campus

Funding of a new pool

Parking problems on campus

Campus security

Allocation of student fees

or see the results without voting

ConnectKU’s platforms embrace compromise, optimism and civic awareness.

Of course, not every platform will appeal to everyone, but every platform should appeal to someone. The proposals discussed struck a balance between feasibility and ambition. None of the ideas were so unrealistic as to be unattainable, but neither were they tired or recycled.

Although the board supports ConnectKU, it strongly encourages the coalition to set a policy against accepting gifts of any kind, including those from the Athletics Department, to avoid conflicts of interest. Platforms and organization are important, but ethics should play the most important role in Senate decision-making. All coalitions, including the eventual winner in the elections, should remember that their first responsibility is to students, not to special interests.

The coalition’s creation of WiKUpedia before the election is admirable in its drive for inclusiveness. As written in a Feb. 15 editorial, the board suggests the coalition turn the application over to a third party following the election to achieve maximum impartiality.

The coalition’s Gmail initiative went through both committee and full Senate with no negative speeches. It passed with more votes than the two-thirds necessary to override the veto. Eventually passing this initiative will give students much-needed e-mail storage space, chat capabilities and access to calendar applications, among other features.

In the board’s opinion, using alumni donations and volunteers to start ConnectKU’s Potter Lake clean-up project will revitalize a University landmark.

Students deserve a gathering place that has more than concrete like Wescoe Beach, and Potter Lake deserves the attention given to treasured University sites. The board hopes the Potter Lake project will be the beginning of a continuous dedication to environmental projects on campus.

Revamping the Shenk Recreation Complex by putting in turf will benefit not only student athletes but also students who participate in intramural sports and students in general.

More schools might be willing to travel to Shenk for tournaments and games if the facilities were in better condition, giving the University a better overall reputation among neighboring schools.

Increasing off-campus lighting is an admittedly tall order, but the coalition expressed a willingness to work with the Lawrence City Commission to get the proposal accomplished. Increasing the number of self-defense courses offered on campus is also a great way to increase campus safety.

ConnectKU’s idea for a Hate Crime Prevention Program was unique among platforms, and the coalition demonstrated a desire to unite the student body and embrace the University’s inherent multiculturalism.

The number of student groups potentially involved in a week of hate crime awareness, which ConnectKU said would include the Black Student Union, Queers and Allies and the International Student Association, could make such an event a cornerstone of the University calendar. The idea to take the issue of hate crime to local schools is evidence of dedication to the greater Lawrence community.

ConnectKU has expressed interest in forming a KU Dining Board through Student Senate. This board would work in conjunction with KU Dining Services to use student input in increasing the Better Bites program and increasing student options for healthy eating on campus.

These ideas cover a wide variety of ground and would benefit all students in some way.

ConnectKU has drawn members from other Senate parties, and has recruited members from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Its candidates’ pledge to make Senate more accessible to students and increase voter turnout are essential to stem the growing tide of student apathy toward its own governing body.

Its members have enough experience to be prepared for the work ahead of them, but they have ideas that are fresh enough to inspire change.

The Kansan editorial board supports the student body presidency of ConnectKU leader Austin Kelly, Lawrence senior, and the vice presidency of Jason Oruch, Plano, Texas, junior.

—Kelsey Hayes for the editorial board

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