SMC voters: Quit whining, act like ladies
Letter to the Editor
We have always been proud to attend Saint Mary's College. It is an institution that is founded on Catholic moral beliefs and a strong sense of unity throughout the student body. However the recent student body president and vice president elections have brought forth a completely opposite atmosphere to our campus.
It is impossible to walk to class, to have a meal in the dining hall, or even to sit in the peace and quiet of one's own room without listening to members of our "unified" student body trashing the four girls who wanted nothing more than to help the very people who are putting them down. We would like to take this chance to say something to the student body that we were once so proud to be a part of. The mudslinging that has been occurring on this campus in the past few days has been atrocious. How can any of you who are not close to the people involved in any of the tickets speak so vehemently against them?
There have been many rumors about the mudslinging of students. There have been spineless and anonymous phone messages left with Renner/Nagle supporters which used extremely explicit language. The comments made by many a student at Saint Mary's have been out of line and unfounded.
So, to the many girls who seem to have so many hateful words to say about the election and its process: The election process was botched; this is true. However, according to the bylaws, it was up to the Elections Committee to make the final decision after the tie last Wednesday. Rules are rules and they are not negotiable. There are many laws in the United States that could be seen as unfair, but are expected to be followed with no exceptions. If they are not followed, then people get hurt. That is what they are there for. In this situation, the rules were not followed, and people got hurt. It is a shame that a hasty and careless decision (to hold another election) made by the inappropriate committee, who is not a member of the student body, would turn so many women against each other.
The bad press that Saint Mary's has received on sexuality, smoking and bitter fighting is ridiculous. We are doing it to ourselves. Saint Mary's is a women's college whose number one priority is "to promote the education of women in the tradition of intellectual vigor, aesthetic appreciation, religious sensibility, and social responsibility," according to the Saint Mary's mission statement. We need to uphold these traditions, not make it impossible for ourselves to be seen as responsible, mature and elite women.
Both tickets in this race were qualified and impressive. We should feel lucky to have a group of women who are willing and able to represent Saint Mary's to the rest of the world. We have that luxury. Many colleges don't. So be proud that you have such an impressive group of people who are prepared to represent you, do not belittle them. If you are not qualified to make the comments that you are making, keep your mouth shut.
It is an embarrassment to hear the petty, inappropriate and disrespectful comments that have been so ardently voiced throughout the Saint Mary's campus. The election is over. The decision has been made. To all the women who have been whining about this election — STOP IT. If you can constructively criticize in the right places at the right time and to the right people, then by all means do so. If not, keep your rude and audacious comments to yourself. You are ladies; act like it.
Angela Agness
Kathryn Sherman
Juniors
Saint Mary's College
February 8, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, February 10, 2000
