I want to get something out of the way.
This is not just a rant on the lack of diversity present amongst the Thelmothesian Society presidential candidates, but it could have been. It’s not just a rant on the lack of female candidates running for the top spot, but it could have been. It’s not even just a rant or indictment on the quality of the candidates that are currently running, but I assure you that in a different state of mind, it very well could have been.
It’s a rant on how each of those factors produce something highly disappointing.
Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and the Pub were filled with students like myself bursting with energy to vote in the national midterm election cycle this week. It was an enthusiasm that critics famously claimed was difficult to gather for younger voters in non-presidential election years.
And yet, for all the passion that many of us had in making sure that as many people as possible got an “I Voted!” sticker, that energy has not transferred for the Thelomathesian Society elections (insert First Law of Thermodynamics pun here).
I can sense the groans coming from some already. “Michael! Why should we care about Thelmo anywhere near as much as we should a REAL election?” What I hope those readers understand is that those questions provide the backdrop to my point exactly.
It’s my understanding that Thelmo, beyond its current status as a piggy bank, has not reached the standard of day-to-day impact that a “student government” should stand to.
It’s time for St. Lawrence students who are charismatic, passionate, modest and articulate individuals to run for future Thelmo presidential elections. We need the energy that comes with diverse students who run on platforms that emphasize reform, that emphasize outreach and community policies to implement beyond a focus on contingency meetings. It’s time that the election process for our “student government” to evolve into something beyond a glorified personality contest.
For upperclassmen, our opportunity to run has ended. I don’t know how many of those first year and sophomore St. Lawrence students will be reading this. I don’t know how many of them will pick up The Hill on their walk into Dana, or snag it while waiting for a friend at the Pub or hear about it from my core friend group that loyally promotes every piece of writing I produce.
If only one person is inspired to be the passionate, motivated, well-hearted individual future Thelmo elections need, then I would consider my little soliloquy a success.