The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

Got a tip? Have something you need to tell us? Contact us

Loading Recent Classifieds...

Voting should be based on issues, not popularity

I’d like to think that after high school, elections and voting become more than a popularity contest. Yet this is hardly true. Even after we leave CSUN with our degrees, there is the reality of a politically apathetic nation – and one defined by its unrelenting two-party system. Some devout Republicans and Democrats stick by their tried-and-true without even taking a glance at their stance on the issues.

Today and Wednesday, I’m hoping against hope that CSUN students take a look at the issues.

This will not be an article denouncing some candidates and applauding others, and the Sundial will not be endorsing one slate over another.

Rather, I ask that all students, regardless of which candidate you’ve gotten trashed with, which you’ve been in a club with, which you hate with a burning passion, whether you’ll be gone next year, consider what is most important to you and vote for the person you think will deliver.

Dina Cervantes, Adam Haverstock, Adam Salgado and Miguel Segura are all running for the presidency. Most have strengths, though some are mild, and some have their weaknesses. For the record, both Cervantes and Haverstock are placing a strong focus on student organizations, an issue that has been hotly debated over the last year, as well as senator involvement and accountability. Salgado, the current president of the Associated Students, has pledged to do more work promoting school spirit and visibility, as well as continue his work on academic advisement. Segura told the Sundial before spring break that he is planning on fleshing out his plans this summer, and thus had nothing concrete.

The other issue on the ballot is the recreation center referendum.

I took a wrong turn at San Diego State University in March while searching for a meeting and my group had to go into the university’s rec center for a few minutes to ask for directions. I can say with some certainty that it was a fantastic facility. It was visually pleasing, and students were taking advantage early on a Saturday morning, no less. I’d be interested to know what the total cost of the center was, though, to compare it to CSUN’s estimated cost for students. In 2011-12, the year our proposed rec center is estimated to be completed, the USU fee for one semester would be $250 and $153 in the summer. When taken into consideration with student fees that are practically guaranteed to keep increasing, especially after the breakthrough in negotiations between the California Faculty Association and the California State University system, is a rec center, granted a pretty one, really something future and current students will want to foot the bill for?

I can think of practically nothing more irresponsible than voting without any thought to important issues. I don’t care who anyone votes for, but I do care about motivations. If you honestly think that the cost of the USU recreation center is no problem, then go cast your vote; if you think that the cost is too high, log on and exercise your right to vote. Likewise, everyone should vote for the presidential slate that best represents what they care about. Let the homecoming vote be representative of popularity; other votes should be based on the issues.

More to Discover