There has been coverage in the Daily Egyptian lately about Gov. Jim Edgar granting our student trustee a vote, but making the position one occupied by a political appointee rather than by a representative elected by students.

If we want representation, we need to be able to elect our trustee. Someone who is an appointee but who is not answerable to students cannot be expected to provide legitimate representation. Not anymore than we could expect representation in our own best interests from the governor if he were an appointee, owing his position to some interest outside the State of Illinois.

Speaking of the governor, since he feels that students are too irresponsible to elect our own trustee, perhaps we should demonstrate our ability to cast an effective and intelligent vote by keeping him from political office. He and any politician who supports his amendatory veto still will be held accountable at the polls even if future student trustees aren’t.

Advertisement