The IDS Editorial Board endorses INtouch for IUSA.
Because for once in a long time, it seems the IU Student Association is on the cusp of regaining its relevance on campus.
Or so we’d like to think.
IUSA elections in years past have more or less been a futile exercise in “democracy,” because — surprise — a majority of students unfortunately see little reason to care.
Last year there was just one ticket that ran: the incumbents.
When people would rather be drinking at Roy’s on $2 instead of thinking about campus politics, you have to give students a reason to pay attention.
Next week IUSA elections will be taking place, and what’s particularly special about this year’s election is that for once it’s actually competitive.
Three tickets are in the running: AMPLIFY, INtouch and UNIFY.
Policy-wise, it’s hard to distinguish between the three tickets’ platforms, though of course, there are some important differences.
That’s why for the Editorial Board, it came down to the nature of the tickets themselves.
AMPLIFY, the incumbent ticket in the race, has built its candidacy around its collective experience and existing relationships with administrators.
It also continues in the line of incumbent tickets that have gone on to win for three straight years.
To be fair, however, the current administration from which AMPLIFY draws has been much more responsive relative to previous tickets that have flopped after taking office.
AMPLIFY’s platform is also significantly more substantive than past tickets and shows the ticket’s willingness to actually run on ideas.
The dark horse in the race this year is UNIFY.
Out of the three tickets, UNIFY has arguably the more concrete platform but suffers one major flaw: Its No. 1 candidate.
Elections are definitely about ideas.
But they’re equally as much about the candidates themselves.
If we can’t trust those speaking these ideas, we can’t, in good faith, support or trust their platform.
Run-ins with these candidates in the past teach us that hindsight is 20/20, and we don’t want to make the same mistakes as before.
The ticket’s lack of experience and number of proposals— a whopping 16 point plan— also make us question whether UNIFY can deliver in IUSA’s eight-month term, though its suggested mandatory sexual violence seminar during orientation is an idea we can get behind.
Ultimately, the Editorial Board has decided to endorse INtouch for IUSA because the ticket shows a departure from business as usual.
One of the reasons INtouch has made this year’s race so competitive is because it has the potential to splinter the greek vote, which for the past four years has decided the outcome of IUSA elections.
It’s no secret the greek system has monopolized student government.
Although still predominantly greek, INtouch has shown a particular willingness to reach outside of the greek system for support.
That matters because IUSA is supposed to represent all Hoosiers, not just the Kelley School of Business.
Most importantly, INtouch’s promise lies in the fact it brings both experienced IUSA staffers and desperately needed new blood to student government.
That includes new ideas and new ways to get things done.
When matched up against AMPLIFY, both ticket’s platforms are similar in renovation — such as both agreeing on the need to reform Counseling and Psychological Services.
The point of departure, however, is also emblematic of the larger differences between the tickets.
INtouch wants to get more professional staff at CAPS.
AMPLIFY sees it as unrealistic.
What we need today is a student government that is no longer stagnant.
We need people that will fight and keep pushing the boundaries of what student government can do, even if it means taking on the countless administrators and committees on campus.
INtouch seems prepared to do that.
Regardless of who you support, you have a vote.
Use it to the best of your advantage.
Elections will take place April 8 and 9.
