Disqualified candidates explain no-appeal decision
Letter to the Editor
In a time of chaos within the ranks of the Student Government, we, Hunt Hanover and John Micek, desire to reach out to our fellow students and put an ugly issue to its final resting place. After consultation of our confidants, we have decided not to file an appeal to the Student Senate and Judicial Council surrounding the decision handed down last week. We feel this course of action is the best step for all parties involved.
We feel that the student government gives students the opportunity to represent their peers while having a good time. Therefore, prolonging the election with an appeal would go against our beliefs. The appeal process would do no good and create a situation in which many would accuse others of violations based upon heresay. We did not want this appeal to lead to mudslinging, which may be inevitable. Both tickets wanted to end this election with the popular vote decision; unfortunately that is not possible. By no means do we feel that Kelly Folks or Becky Demko are to blame. In fact we would like to commend them for all their efforts and just decision-making throughout the election.
We believe that as representatives of the student body it is our duty to uphold the Office of the President and the values associated with anyone within. If taken to the senate, it is obvious to us that things would unavoidably have become disgraceful to both the parties involved and student government as a whole. We must realize that this was simply an election to choose two representatives for the student body. This being the case it is important to mention that the student body president and vice president are not above any single student on campus.
We believe that although some of the tickets in this year's election were not seriously vying for the position, they carried with them the wave of public opinion. Upon this wave rode the sentiment of the students, a sentiment which sounded resoundingly with cries for normalcy. Students are fed up with leaders who do not represent campus life and attitudes. There is nothing in the constitution which states that student government must be stiff and somber. Although the Office of the President is not primarily a programming body, the lighter side of life must shine through the second floor windows of LaFortune and upon those in occupance. The election craze has left both the Judical Council in bad light and turned the democracy of Notre Dame into a virtual circus. In ending our quest for the second floor, we hope to send this circus out of town and allow time for review and reorganization of the election process.
Finally, we would like to thank all those who assisted us in our campaign efforts. We would especially like to recognize Dan Peate, our campaign manager, for his tireless efforts. The past three weeks have shown us how truly special the people are who make up the Notre Dame community. Together we have commited ourselves to the Notre Dame community, which we will continue to serve in new and exciting ways. We trust that our efforts in this endeavor will not fall by the wayside.
Hunt A. Hanover
Presidential Candidate
Junior, St. Edward's Hall
John J. Micek IV
Vice Presidential Candiate
Junior, Keough Hall
February 21, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, February 22, 2000
