Student votes vital to filling numerous UCSU seats
Every semester the University of Colorado Student Union, CU’s student government, holds elections to determine who CU’s next student leaders will be. Controlling over $30 million dollars in student fees, UCSU is the most powerful student union in the nation. They fund and control 12 student cost centers, the largest of which are the UMC, Wardenburg and the Rec Center, and they form and debate policy that guides the campus and its students.
Despite the influence the elected members possess, it is rare for more than 20 percent of CU’s large student population, numbering near 30,000, to vote in the spring election. Fewer than 10 percent of students have historically participated in the fall elections. Two years ago, the number of students voting dipped below 1,000.
The Campus Press will break down the positions, the process and the people in an 11-part series that will run through April 20, the last day of voting. Stay with The Campus Press during this time for developments and results regarding the 2007 UCSU elections.
With one of the most controversial University of Colorado Student Union years quickly coming to a close, UCSU is looking to fill four open seats for Representatives at large and a new Tri-executive cabinet.
The first day of elections will commence on April 16, but until then hopeful candidates and student voters have their work cut out for them.
UCSU Elections 2007: CP’s 11-day Series
Part 1 | Rules of the race – The ins and outs of CU’s election code
Part 2 | Taking office – The elected officials and what they do
Part 3 | Repeat runners – What they’ve accomplished, why they’re back
Part 4 | An apathetic audience – What UCSU is doing to make you care
Part 5 | Showing support – A look at CU’s student groups and the candidates they endorse
Part 6 | The candidates – An in-depth look at the election hopefuls
Part 7 | The voters – Students who vote, and why they care
Part 8 | Voting trends – A look at the winning tickets of the past, and the stronghold of the campaigners
Part 9 | $30 million strong – An analysis of UCSU and how it differs from other student governments in the region
Part 10 | Autonomy – A look at the 1985 agreement that gave UCSU its power today
Part 11 | The campaign trail – Candidate experiences from the 2007 campaigning process
CU students will directly vote upon the four open seats of Representatives at large. The Representatives at large comprise one section of the bicameral Legislative Council, the other being the Council of Colleges and Schools.
Sylvia Khaton, the office manager of UCSU, said the main function of the Representative Council and its members is to adhere to students’ requests for funding. Khaton said the Representative Council funds groups that are open to all CU students.
Members of the Representative Council also are voting members of the Legislative Council, who vote on bills and amendments that affect the university as a whole.
The students, but only students from the candidate’s particular college, also vote senators onto the Council of Colleges and Schools. The College of Engineering, the Leeds School of Business and the School of Architecture will all vote for new senators this coming Monday, Khaton said.
Students will also vote Monday for a new team of Tri-executives. Although the Tri-executives are not voting members of the Legislative Council, they participate in the meetings. The Tri-executives also deal with the Colorado State Legislature.
“The Tri-executives have a broader focus than that of the Council of Colleges or Representatives,” Khaton said, “They are the voice of the student body.”
Khaton compared the title of the Tri-executives to that of a president. Although they do not vote directly, they still have a large impact on the way the government is run. The Tri-executives also work above many committees that help make their work more efficient.
The two hopeful Tri-executive tickets running this spring are the Unity ticket and the Value ticket, each comprised of three students. A co-executive ticket is also running this year; the candidates are students Kyle Hawkins and Thomas Rowe.
Candidate bios are available tonight after 9 p.m. here.
For the most thorough in UCSU elections coverage, log onto The Campus Press.
Tuesday: Seeking second terms – a glimpse into the motivations and pitfalls encountered by incumbents running for UCSU seats a second time.
