Post 2

In this post, I'll define some key terms regarding BYUSA elections, and I'll also tell you about my experiences with BYUSA elections.


Key Terms:


BYUSA: "The BYU Student Service Association is the premier student-run association on campus. BYUSA is dedicated to serving the BYU student body and advising the BYU administration. Each year an election is held for the Student Body President and Executive Vice President. BYUSA acts as a student voice to the President's Council (President Samuelson and the BYU vice presidents). Also, as a service organization, volunteers in BYUSA organize activities such as Homecoming Dances, Guitars Unplugged, The Unforum and Friday Night Live. Other volunteers research student concerns and work with administrators to resolve those concerns. BYUSA also houses a large portion of BYU's student clubs. BYUSA is entirely student run by unpaid volunteers." --from BYUSA FAQ, emphases added.


BYUSA elections: Held each year. Only the Student Body President and Executive Vice President are elected. The election process takes place during Winter Semester each year. A list of deadlines in this process can be viewed here.


I'll probably think of additional important terms as this blog progresses, but for now, these are the most important things to define.




My experiences thus far with BYUSA Elections:


I am proud to say that I have never voted in a BYUSA election. My views align with what dzhonatan tweeted the other day: "I'm sure @BYUSA presidency is great leadership training. But I have no reason to care which pair of candidates gets it. #BYUSA2010"


I don't think it really matters who is President and Vice-president. We will still have the same activities. And most candidates will likely represent the student body and the BYUSA organization in exactly the same way as is always done. In recent memory (or in all of earth's history), does a specific Pres/Vice stand out to you for some great act? Of course not. They all do the same basic job and have the same basic values. It doesn't really matter who it is...


Well, as long as it's not a terrorist or a loony. But that's what the screening interview and application process is for. So, as far as the popularity contest goes, who needs it? It's just a pointless waste of money and time.


So for all my years at BYU, I've just avoided it and ignored it. And if I stay strong this semester and don't vote, I'll graduate in April without ever having cared about BYUSA. Yooay! I hope the university hasn't suffered too much because of my apathy. Wait, so why am I taking so much effort in analyzing it now? Hmmm, good question. That might be a good topic for a future post.


That's it for tonight. Be good.