2008 Woodie Awards
The way we see it ...
Don't make the rest of your life as pitiful as the voter turnout was last week
Arbiter Editorial Board
Issue date: 3/12/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
The process was simple. All you had to do was take a few minutes out of your day, log onto Blackboard and vote in the ASBSU elections.
Yet, for reasons only you know, most students did not participate.
Spring 2007 enrollment at Boise State is a record 18,178 students. This is the second consecutive spring that Boise State has broken the 18,000-student enrollment mark.
The number of people who voted last Wednesday and Thursday was 2,119.
That is a pitiful 11 percent of Boise State.
Come on.
What happened?
Do you remember the candidates campaigning while you were walking across campus? They were armed with oranges and little pieces of paper they thrust into your hand.
What about the debates held in the Student Union Building leading up to elections? Please, you at least remember Tigger don’t you?
All they wanted you to do was pull your head out of the books for a short time, pay attention for a little bit and get involved with this university. But most of you didn’t.
Full-fee paying students have a tuition cost of $1,334.85 per semester and Boise State takes $17.65 out of everyone’s tuition for student government. We ask that you take note of what you are investing the money in. It is possible to enter into Boise State, make the grades, pass the classes and get a degree without being very involved. However, if anyone on this board spends thousands of dollars on one thing we do not expect just to get by.
Students across campus have complained about some aspects of Boise State. One big complaint has to do with the fact that they feel like numbers lost in the vastness of this institution. Often all we are is a dollar symbol churned through the system.
The way to fight against all of that, instead of just complaining, is to get involved. Make this more than just a dollar sign, give the experience a chance and do something different.
The low voter turnout for this election is just an example of the lack of participation by this student body.
We are not asking you to change the world and we’re not forcing the university experience down your throat. We are asking you to do more than what is expected.
Aspire to differentiate this part of your life from what happened before.
Help prepare yourself for what will be expected from you as a participant in this society.
Yet, for reasons only you know, most students did not participate.
Spring 2007 enrollment at Boise State is a record 18,178 students. This is the second consecutive spring that Boise State has broken the 18,000-student enrollment mark.
The number of people who voted last Wednesday and Thursday was 2,119.
That is a pitiful 11 percent of Boise State.
Come on.
What happened?
Do you remember the candidates campaigning while you were walking across campus? They were armed with oranges and little pieces of paper they thrust into your hand.
What about the debates held in the Student Union Building leading up to elections? Please, you at least remember Tigger don’t you?
All they wanted you to do was pull your head out of the books for a short time, pay attention for a little bit and get involved with this university. But most of you didn’t.
Full-fee paying students have a tuition cost of $1,334.85 per semester and Boise State takes $17.65 out of everyone’s tuition for student government. We ask that you take note of what you are investing the money in. It is possible to enter into Boise State, make the grades, pass the classes and get a degree without being very involved. However, if anyone on this board spends thousands of dollars on one thing we do not expect just to get by.
Students across campus have complained about some aspects of Boise State. One big complaint has to do with the fact that they feel like numbers lost in the vastness of this institution. Often all we are is a dollar symbol churned through the system.
The way to fight against all of that, instead of just complaining, is to get involved. Make this more than just a dollar sign, give the experience a chance and do something different.
The low voter turnout for this election is just an example of the lack of participation by this student body.
We are not asking you to change the world and we’re not forcing the university experience down your throat. We are asking you to do more than what is expected.
Aspire to differentiate this part of your life from what happened before.
Help prepare yourself for what will be expected from you as a participant in this society.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
chackler
Marcus Hackler
posted 3/12/07 @ 10:59 AM MST
So, let's enjoy a little dose of reality for a moment. It is not about duty, student fees, or societal expectations. It is about the fact that there is very little incentive to vote in these elections. (Continued…)
Patton Ward
posted 3/12/07 @ 1:00 PM MST
Marcus Hackler has a really good point.
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