North Carolina Newspapers

12 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2004 BOARD EDITORIALS OPEN THE DOORS With faith in student elections hanging in the balance, the Board of Elections should continue operating under the public eye for all to see. almost a week has passed since campaign vio lations first were alleged in the student body A. runoff election, and students just now have an idea what’s really going on. The Board of Elections released Sunday a docu ment explaining the rationale for its decision to hold disqualification hearings for both Matt Calabria and Lily West, the runoff election candidates. Members of the BOE should be commended for sharing their findings thus far. It’s refreshing to see that the board is sharing information openly for once because for too long, it had held closed meetings to conduct election-relat ed business and discuss “sensitive” information. From the controversy’s outset, the board had the chance to reduce some of the confusion by giving students access to information about the ensuing investigation. But instead, the BOE took a hush-hush approach. It has closed its meetings to the public. It has wait ed or refused to release important documents. It has operated under a veil of secrecy, supposedly in order to make sure that the integrity of the investigation isn’t compromised. Members of the board might believe that if they close the meetings to all people not directly involved with the investigation, students wouldn’t be led astray by potentially false accusations and witness accounts, but that would be underestimating stu dents’ ability to digest the details. Eventually, the board will decide how to proceed. At some point, students will know whether or not the current standing of the election, an uncertified seven vote win for West, will be allowed to stand. However, if the BOE continues its closed-meeting approach, it might lose students’ trust. For days, the student body hasn’t been able to find out all there is to know about the alleged campaign violations. Rumors and misinformation have been wildly flying FAIR AND EXPEDIENT The Board of Elections should continue investigating alleged violations in an efficient and timely manner to protect student self-governance. With the fate of the 2004 student body pres ident race still up in the air, there are many questions as to whether the student who eventually assumes office will have any legitimacy in the eyes of students, administrators or University trustees. The Board of Elections and the Student Supreme Court, should it become involved, should attempt to resolve this debacle as quickly as possi ble to salvage the leadership of the next student body president. Even in the absence of the rampant allegations of campaign violations, some of which may turn out to be very serious, the extraordinarily tight nature of the runoff election prevents either of the candidates from claiming a mandate from the stu dent body. With the uncertified results showing candidate Lily West leading Matt Calabria by seven votes, there is obviously no clear favorite among students. And while some, under the mistaken impression that “student elections don’t really matter,” are not following the chaos closely, the results have scary implications for coming years. This election, above all else, determines who will represent students as a member of the UNC Board of Trustees. Of the 13 members of the BOT, the student body president is the only trustee who is not appointed by either the N.C. General Assembly or the gover nor. If the next student body president is to have any hope of gaining the respect of other trustees, he or she must hold a legitimate claim to the office. As the student body saw during the course of the past year, trustees and administrators do not always keep student interests near and dear to their hearts. EDITOR'S NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, and were reached after open debate. The board consists of seven board members, the editorial page associate editor, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2003-04 DTH editor decided not to vote on the board and not to write board editorials. Daily (Ear HM PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Judy Pham, Anna Stokes, Kia Thacker ano Ada Wilson, representatives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Mete Broob, Elizabeth Crutcner, Megan Gilchrist, Annie Godwin, Matt Eagle, Andy Lunnen, Shannon Plummer, Business end Advertising: Chrissy Beck, director of marketing; Lisa Reichle, business manager; Tiffany Flomo, retail .ales manager; Ellen Withrow, business assistant. Customer Service: Kimberly Craven, EDITORIAL STAFF Horatio, Allison Kerns, Emily Parker, Susan Rodriguez and Rebecca Wilhelm. Design: Daniel BeDen, Jessica Giroux, Tiffany Ward, Amy Dombrower, Jennifer Alliet, Brooke Moskovitz, Jenna Wooten and Laura Dingeldein. Editorial: Chris Cameron, Phil Feagan, Jeff Kim, Ada Wilson, Daniel David, Mike Gorman and David Siegel, editori al board, Billy Ball, Michael Davis, Stephanie Horvath, Brentley Tanner and Nick Eberlein, columnists. Features: Carolina Lindsey, Kristen Valle, Kelley Ochs, Ami Shan, Jacqueline Brill, Emily Batchelder, Linda Shen, Jordan Caswell, India Autry, Andrew Satten, Meghan Gambling, Katie Dimmery.Adam Rodman and Timothy Price. Online: Feilding Cage, Heather O'Kelley and Hsin-Ya Teng. Photography: Sara Abrons, Kimberly Craven and Garrett Hall senior photog raphers; Gillian Bolsover, Elspeth Callahan, John Dudley, Kristin Goode, Leah Latella, Allison Money, Gabi Trapenberg, Ashlie White, Alex Fine, Ashley Pitt, Andrew Synowiez, Jessica Russell, Justin Smith, Kathy Shuping, Brent Clark, Jane Novotny, Linhda Iran, Nancy Donaldson, Pailin Wedel, Samkit Shah and Patricia Lapdula. Projects Team: Jamie Dougher. Assistant Editors: Philip McFee and Michael Pucci, arts & entertainment Shannan Bowen, Chris Glazner and Dan Schwind, city; Jennifer Dailey, Katie Schwing, copy; Orla Buckley, Randi Demagistris and Nicole Neuman, design; Elliott Dube, editorial; Nikki Werking, Kristen Williams, features. Adam Shupe, online, Kate Blackman and Laura Morton, photography; Dan Blank, Gaby Deßosa and Chris Gilfillan, sports; Stephanie Jordan, Chris Coletta and Laura Youngs, stare 4 national; Joseph Schwartz, Brian Hudson and Emily Steel, university. Arts BuEntertainment: Brian Millikin, senbr writer, Kemp Baldwin, Tacque Kirksey, Leah Konen, Kate Lord, Garrett Manis, Becca Moore, Tom Previte, Jackie Randell, Tanner Slayden, Lauren Streib, Robbie Mackey and Jim Walsh. Cartoon: Britt Peck, Andrew Johnson, f itz Holladay, Andrew Stevens and Chris Mattsson. City: Katie Grim, senior writer. Sarah Rabil, Sara Lewkowicz, Sarah Hancox. Erin Gibson, Emily Vasquez, Jennifer Pogue, Lindsey Listrom, Jane Novotny, Ashley Duncan, Meredith Lee Miller, Ayofemi Kirby, Antonio Velarde and Terrence Jordan. Copy: Emily Fisher, David Lorimer, Christina Rexrode, Jenny Doster, Tricia The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor, assistant editprial page editor and seven editorial writers. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should call 962-1163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-0245. ISN #10709436 OFFICE: Suite 104 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210, Carolina Union Jpm U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.0.80x 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 about, and the integrity of both the BOE and the election itself are at stake. The board isn’t conducting the type of personnel decision that demands confidentiality and is made behind closed doors. This isn’t an investigation into a person’s private affairs. The opposite is true. As soon as Calabria and West —and the other six student body president candi dates, for that matter collected the 800 signatures required to get their names on the ballot, they became public figures on campus. In running for student body president, each of them knew that their platforms would be dissected, their personalities would be judged and their cam paign tactics would be put under the microscope. Each year, the election is a public affair. Students vote for a leader, and they maintain a vested interest in how the contest is run and how an outcome is reached. Should the BOE continue to shut students and reporters out, it would be ignoring that fact. “Our first priority is ensuring a fair election,” board member Megan Mitchell told The Daily Tar Heel on Wednesday. “It’s not the public’s knowledge of what’s going on.” That kind of perspective is misguided. After the allegations were made, perhaps BOE members thought they had to choose between “ensuring a fair election” and letting students in on any investigation. But by exercising foe right amount of control, the board could have met both priorities. Indeed, the BOE should take the necessary steps to guarantee that the investigation runs smoothly and fairly and that as little debris remains as possi ble. But shutting students out of the process is not a necessary step. It is vital that the board continue to make crucial information public, as it did Sunday. Students are involved to the point where they have a right to know the “sensitive” details. An effective leader in the office of student body president is the only tool students have to be sure their priorities are nofrforgotten or ignored by the leadership of the Univdtsity. So while some students might mislabel campus politics as an obnoxious popularity contest, the stu dent body president elections are an infinitely important way for students to ensure that they are represented in a vocal and compelling fashion. At best, the protracted investigation and delayed certification of the election risk damaging the faith of the student body in its leadership. At its worst, a student body president, whose legitimacy is in question, jeopardizes the respectabil ity of student leaders among University administra tors and trustees. If the chancellor or members of the BOT come to believe that students cannot be trusted to govern themselves, as seen in their candidates for elected office or the bodies that oversee those elections, then students can count on being left out of the loop in future decision-making processes. It is absolutely essential that elections officials solve this mess quickly and fairly, lest University offi cials become inclined to pursue the removal of “self” from the phrase “student self-governance.” Though The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board endorsed one candidate’s vision as the best for stu dents and the University, the best possible outcome for all parties is a quick and fair one. Ultimately the outcome of this individual race is not as important as attempting to prevent the ero sion of a dearly treasured, well-established tradition of student self-governance. If the BOE, in its open hearing at 5 p.m. Hiesday, continues its work to complete this investigation in a fair and expedient fashion, it can help keep student self-governance from harm’s way. READERS' FORUM White should understand importance of free speech TO THE EDITOR: Kelly White and Trevor Hoppe’s response to Brentley Tanner’s Feb. 12 column, in which he para phrased a student’s beliefs about homosexuality, more than likely represented how many UNC stu dents feel about this sensitive issue. However, White and Hoppe must remember that the First Amendment isn’t limited to issues with which the beholder agrees. White should know the impor tance of freedom of speech espe cially since it was only a few months ago she was fighting for it when she and fellow protesters went to court to defend their right to express anti war sentiments at last season’s UNC-Virginia game. When they ran onto the Smith Center court displaying anti-war banners, White and her friends offended many UNC alumni and students, as evidenced by numerous critical letters to the editor. The student’s comments in class and the war protest during the UVa. game were both forms of political expression, so what’s the difference? How ironic is it that one who is worried about the “backlash that would have us all shut up,” would intentionally defy Smith Center reg ulations by running onto the court during a nationally televised game? Why is it OK to express one’s beliefs and opinions in one instance Kelsey Scott and Anne Tackabery, account executives Advertising Production: Penny Persons, manager; Michelle Rial and Karen Stone, assistants. Classified Production: Cindy Henley. Sports: Jamie Agin, Aaron Fitt and Brandon Parker, senior writers Sarah McConnaghy and Carrie Sasser, sports copy; Randy Wellington, Brandon Coward, Tyler Dancy, Mary Duby, Briana Gorman, Alicia Jones, Daniel Malloy, Mike Martinez, David Moses, Hunter Powell, Rachel Soder, Andy Wales and John Zhang. State & National: Kavita Pillai, Dora Gonzalez Rodriguez, Shelley Mayo, Dan Piergallini, Adjoa Adolfo, Alex Granados, Kathryn Roebuck, Margaux Escutin, Amy Thomson, Erica Elliott, Nirav Vora and Tristan Shook. University: Jennifer Immel and Lynne Shallcross, senior writers Will Arey, Arman Tolentino, Caroline Kornegay, Lizzie Stewart, Greg Parker, Iris Padgett, Joe Saunders, Torrye Jones, Jenny Ruby, Kelli Borbet, Laura Bost, Mary Beth Bardin, Megan Davis, Ashlee Prevette, Rand Robins, Alice Dolson, Allison Parker, Amy Kingsley, Lauren Harris, Nora Warren, Claire Dorrier and Megan Serow. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. Opinion ON THE DAY’S NEWS “He that puts on a public gown must put off a private person.” THOMAS FULLER, ENGLISH SCHOLAR EDITORIAL CARTOON • x am a(n) ... © v til?! I?I fell 1 fill I Election fiasco puts concept of self-governance in danger As a University-news geek, I am folly engrossed in the student body presidential election debacle. In my four years of watching student politics, I’ve never seen anything like it. The uncertified election results show an uncom monly narrow victory. Student leaders are dusting off arcane sections of the Student Code to determine the best course. (Honestly, how many of you actually knew we had a code?) The mysterious Student Supreme Court might have to con vene for the first time since 1995. The Student Attorney General is advising the Board of Elections, and the board asked a number of witnesses to submit what amounts to written testimony regarding alleged campaign violations. Finally, there’s a spirited fight between the press and the board over how much of these proceed ings should be public. We have all the makings of a real world election scandal. Well, almost. The response I got from my boyfriend, a Scottish journalist far removed from UNC culture, revealed a different perspective. “So, are there any adults involved here?” he asked after I shared details of the scandal with him. No, I told him. “Right,” he said. The unasked question was sus pended on the transatlantic phone line: What, exactly, is the big deal? In a way, he’s right. It is just a student election at UNC. The course of the most powerful nation in the world does not hang in the balance as it did almost four years ago when a series of prob lems in Florida brought a presi dential election to its knees. Nations are not watching the but wrong to do so in another? If one argues for free speech, then one should be consistent in their argu ment in all situations. I personally disagree with the student quoted in Tanner’s column, but his freedom to express his beliefs should not be contingent upon my concurrence. C.J. Langley Senior Psychology Candidates are to blame, not the Board of Elections TO THE EDITOR: I am writing in response to Bernard Holloway’s comment that this year’s student body president election ordeal “could be something like Florida to the point that the stu dent body loses faith in the ability of students to oversee their elections.” In this statement Mr. Holloway questions the integrity of the Board of Elections. I think Bernard, and others, including The Daily Tar Heel’s coverage, are questioning the wrong people in this situation. I question the integrity of the candidates for they committed numerous violations. It isn’t the Board of Elections under investiga tion; it is the candidates themselves. At the beginning of the election season candidates signed a pledge for a clean campaign. UNC students take honor pledges very seriously. If student body president candi dates can’t take an honor pledge 181 STEPHANIE HORVATH NOT THE BELL OR THE WELL results of our election. In fact, the local press has not even noticed. Last week I saw no stories about the election problems in any local newspaper other than The Daily Tar Heel. Dance Marathon got more local coverage. I’m sure that, as the proceed ings drag on, as the elections board tries to figure out what has gone wrong and how to set it right, many students will grow weary of it and start to ask the same question. What, exactly, is the big deal here? The Daily Tar Heel already has quoted one UNC student with that sentiment. “People are trying to make a big deal out of nothing,” senior Emily Hodges was quoted as say ing in Friday’s paper. “Because it’s a close election, everyone thinks it’s a conspiracy.” I’m sure Hodges isn’t alone in her opinion, and I understand why she and other students might feel this way. But to disagree respectfully with both Hodges and my boyfriend, I think this is a big freakin’ deal. It is a big deal to the future stu dent body president. Whoever comes out the victor in this mess will have to work hard and run a near-flawless administration in order to regain the respect of the University community. It is a big deal for student gov- sincerely then how can we trust the integrity of the candidates and their ability to represent us? This questionable election makes me doubt the ability of students to handle positions such as student body president; it does not put into question the capability of students to run the BOE. Ashley Castevens, in Wednesday’s article, said the alle gations are a result of a campaign season containing numerous hostil ities between candidates. It’s time candidates accept responsibility for their actions. It is fairly easy, when handed a set of rules, to follow them and expect those who work for you to do the same —and it reflects poorly upon your campaign when you don’t. It reflects even more poorly when you try to put blame on someone else. David Nestler Freshman Geography TO SUBMIT A LETTER: The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 300 words and must be typed, double-spaced, dated and signed by no more than two people. Students should include their year, major and phone number. Facujty and staff should include their title, department and phone num ber. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity. Publication is not guaranteed. Bring let ters to the DTH office at Suite 104, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail them to editdesk@unc.edu. ©jp iailij ®ar MM By Britt Peck, bmpeck@email.unc.edu emance. In the coming weeks we’ll see firsthand if the govern ment students created can stand up to tough tests. Using the guidelines and pro cedures we have, will we be able to find a reasonable solution without calling in the grown-ups? We might discover that parts of the Student Code and the con struction of our government need reform. The conclusions we come to might lead us to change gov ernment structures. It is a big deal to the University community. Nations might not be watching, but I bet the adminis tration and the UNC Board of Trustees are. How our leaders handle themselves and the allega tions will show these adults whether students are capable of the privilege of self-governance. They granted it to us and also can take it away. An organized, dependable stu dent voice is imperative in a time of unreasonable tuition increases, budget cuts from the legislature and new ventures, such as Carolina North, that will alter the course of the University. In light of all this, it should be a big deal to students. No matter how tired, bored and frustrated they get with the proceedings, they should care enough to stay informed, and they should care enough to demand that their leaders handle themselves and these problems in the best man ner possible. Our election woes might not make the network news or even the inside pages of The Chapel Hill News, but how we handle them will determine the UNC we leave for future generations. Contact Stephanie Horvath at shorvath@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 110 years of editorialfreedom ®lf t Daily (Tar Jfori www.daUytaiheel.Gom ELYSEASHBURN EDITOR, 962-4086 OFFICE HOURS 2:15-3:15 PM MON., WED. DANIEL THIGPEN MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 JENNIFER SAMUELS PROJECTS MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 NATHAN DENNY EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, 962-0750 BROOK R. CORWIN UNIVERSITY EDITOR, 962-0372 EMMA BURGIN CITY EDITOR, 962-4209 CLEVE R.WOOTSON JR. STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR, 962-4103 BRIAN MACPHERSON SPORTS EDITOR, 962-4710 MICHELLE JARBOE FEATURES EDITOR, 962-4214 NICK PARKER ARTS S ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, 962-4214 ALEX OBREGON COPY EDITOR, 962-4103 BRIAN CASSELLA PHOTO EDITOR, 962-0750 MICHELLE KUTTNER DESIGN EDITOR, 962-0750 KRISTEN OLIVER ONLINE EDITOR, 962-0750 JOHN FRANK PROJECTS TEAM LEADER, 962-0246 ERIC GAUTSCHI OMBUDSMAN If you have any concerns or comments about our coverage, please contact Ombudsman Eric Gautschi at gautschi@email.unc.edu or 918-1311.