Chuck Norris, really?

Chuck Norris is the only person on the planet that can kick you in the back of the face.

Residence Halls Association is the governing body of the residential halls, composed of the 11 administrations from each of the dorms and various programming directors and comprised of enterprising students aspiring to build a resume.

Really similar, right?

On March 3, students living in the residence halls will have the opportunity to vote for a new batch of RHA executives.

This year, they have the choice between the Hoosier Compass and Chuck Norris tickets. And it appears that this election will be decided on the difference of ticket name. Which leaves us asking: Why Chuck Norris?

In a statement on the ticket’s Facebook page, presidential candidate Aaron Collins wrote, “We don’t require a fancy metaphorical name illustrating some abstract concept, all we need is to reach the students and let them know who we are.”

And the way they’re doing this is through a middle-aged man whose tears cure cancer?

Some might excuse this naming choice by defending it as a wise marketing decision.
But to do so is to acknowledge that an RHA election is simply an advertising contest and that there is essentially no difference between tickets or, more accurately, that such a difference doesn’t matter to students.

Apparently, all we want is a funny name.

If anything, this naming decision has simply underscored and legitimized those who remain skeptical about the effectiveness of RHA.

If you’re willing to name your ticket after a 1990s karate icon, you clearly don’t take your position that seriously.

We shouldn’t, either.

It’s ironic that both tickets express a desire to “get the word out” about RHA, as if an increased recognition of the “duties” and “responsibilities” of the governing body will generate more respect for and involvement in the organization among students.

But maybe that’s not the problem. Maybe we’ve heard enough.

If we need a ticket that has counted to infinity twice and whose chief export is pain, we know where to look. But a legitimate, self-respecting ticket? That might be a little harder to find.

When March 3 comes, vote. Or don’t. Or tremble in fear knowing that the real Chuck Norris is out there somewhere, ready and waiting.