Elections over: Do your job

An open letter to the executives of Kirkwood:\nWas the election fair? Will you be viewed as fully legitimate student leaders after sending thousands of e-mails, allegedly intimidating students to vote and alternately threatening and flattering editors and reporters at the IDS? \nThese are questions you'll have to deal with as you form relationships with the students you represent and the student journalists whose words represent you. \nYou campaigned as renegades. Different. Coming in from the outside, poised and impassioned to affect change. The ticket that works hard and plays hard. In the process of getting elected, the concept of fair play fell to the wayside and we saw how competitive you can be. \nAnd you won. So the time has come to channel your competitive edge into 'working hard' for the students you represent. Here's what you have to do: \nYou want to see Dean McKaig fired? Come on guys -- that's not within your power. The University is governed by a president and a board of trustees who wield more power than any student leader, no matter how influential or charismatic. \nTherefore it is most expedient to choose your battles wisely. Look at areas in which students have the most stake and take a strong stance. You can make a difference with the greek system and the alcohol policy. You can make noise about wasted money in the administration and pressure the campus leaders into being more fiscally accountable to students. You were the only ticket to go to the main library and analyze the University budget. That's the kind of hard work that has the potential to make your ticket extremely effective. \nOne of your ideas involves working with the IUPD, BPD and University to make sure designated drivers are not singled out and punished (if they are sober, of course). This is a great idea. You realize that policies that border on prohibition don't work -- responsibility is key. The administration and state are squeezing kegs and cans of beer out of parties, and they're being replaced by high-proof hard alcohol. Greeks are afraid to call an ambulance when a brother or sister is in trouble. You guys understand the problems, and students are counting on you to help formulate a plan that will end the cycle. Start by looking into what other universities have done, and make your voice heard in committee meetings led by -- guess who -- Dean McKaig. \nThe best way to establish respect is to listen and work with the administration rather than against it. In a meeting with Myles Brand, the IDS learned that the he sees potential for revitalization of the greek system if more seniors live in houses. Seniors provide a positive example, leadership and stability in a house. Of course parties will get out of control if a house is 70 percent sophomores and freshmen. Support good ideas within the administration, and back your own with with persistence and well-reasoned arguments. \nUnderstand who does what, how it's done and where you can gain a strong stance in the decision-making process. The University works in established, methodical ways with chains of command that you can hardly subvert. But there are ways to make change and student perspectives that must be voiced regarding concerns that all students share. Your success depends on the extent to which you can channel those concerns into progress and positive results. It'll take hard work. Best of luck to you.\n