ASNMU controls too much of election
The ASNMU election process is questionable at best. The election committee is in charge of not only running the election, but also of determining if those running for election break the rules. The election committee is made up of the ASNMU Vice President, and appointed members of the general assembly. This structure is laid out in the ASNMU Constitution and Bylaws.
In reality, what ends up happening too often is that the ASNMU president and vice president groom one or two of their friends from the general assembly for the positions as elections approach. As they control the election committee, they exert undue influence on the election process. Imagine the advantage they get from not publicizing the election so there is less competition from the student body as a whole. ASNMU controls too much of the election.
How do we fix these problems? Rewrite the constitution and bylaws so that the following changes are made;
1. The elections committee should be comprised of independent members of the Student Finance Committee and/or the All Student Judiciary with no ASNMU involvement.
2. Elect members at the beginning of every semester so currently enrolled students are being represented and so they remember who they are working for.
3. Codifying election rules within the bylaws to prevent selective enforcement.
In our federal government we don’t let the vice president control the election; we have an independent body called the Federal Election Commission run it to minimize conflicts of interest. Our student government should emulate that principle.
Brian Lantto
Former Off-Campus
ASNMU representative
L • Apr 16, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Brian– precisely your mistake is why it’s nearly impossible to change such things. As a former ASNMU member, you didn’t even take the time to understand the ASNMU Constitution and By-laws. Thus, why would anyone else?
Casey • Apr 14, 2011 at 6:28 pm
I remember this coming up during Kamen Gullenburg’s campaign in 2007.
It’s amazing how many former ASNMU members speak out against ASNMU.
At this point ASNMU really should be dismantled and a new organization formed to replace it.
f • Apr 14, 2011 at 1:56 pm
“Student Finance Committee and/or the All Student Judiciary with no ASNMU involvement.”
Good in theory, but actually Impossible. The SFC and ASJ are both organs of ASNMU. One is a standing committee and the other is the judicial branch. You probably meant not members of the General Assembly.