First-year Senator election and the power of the vote

First-year students have a big choice to make these next few days: Whom should they elect for first-year senator? Both candidates in the run-off election are qualified and would represent the first-year class fantastically. What I’m really wondering is: Are you going to go and vote?

I am. There is no question about it; all first-year students need to vote.

This is the first time that there is a senator position for first-years, and it is paramount that as first-year students, we take the time out of our busy days to vote to show that we want a voice on senate and someone who can represent our needs and wants as a class.

During the first round of elections, 592 votes were cast, and while that number is large, it is not large enough. Our entering class has been one of the biggest classes to date with a staggering 864 students in total. So there is no reason why we shouldn’t have more than 800 votes cast.

While this position has been highly disputed, it still has merit. Many of the students on campus believe that our opinions are over-represented sometimes, and with nine senators-at-large and various other positions there is never any doubt that if students are having issues, their ideas will be heard by someone.

Yet, it always seemed that the first-years were underrepresented. While there is a First-Year Interest Committee, it is only one committee. Now, though, with a first-year student running to become the head of that committee and sit around the table, there will be a greater chance for opinions and concerns to be heard directly from the first-year population on issues that impact the class as a whole.

One argument I hear the most about this position is that a first-year senator still hasn’t gained the knowledge of the happenings around campus and is still finding his or her niche on campus. While that is a very valid point, a first-year senator would be representing his or her constituents–the first-year students. First-year students are all going through much of the same emotions and feelings while transitioning into a collegiate atmosphere, thus being able to accurately represent the students.

First-year students have a voice in this situation. Our ideas matter even though we have only been on campus for a couple of months. Our voices will be heard if everyone goes out to vote today and Tuesday through blueView. It takes just a few seconds, but it will make the difference in the Drake community and for all of the first-year students. The two candidates, Shelby Klose and David Karaz, are two very qualified first-year students. No matter who gets elected, the person chosen will make a great difference on campus and pave the way for future first-year senators.

I cannot begin to fathom how much of an impact this will have on Drake University’s future. If every first-year student goes out to vote in these next two days, this will show how important this position is to the class and will set precedence for future classes as they enter the university.

So, please go out and vote. The first-year class is one-fourth of the student population, so we, too, need to have our representation.

Horsch is a first-year news/Internet major and can be contacted at lauren.horsch@drake.edu