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As Political Studies students, and as part of the executive of the Political Studies Society, we have a responsibility to the student body of this university to point out the recent unacceptable behaviour -- constitution- ally -- of our governing student body. This is not a personal attack against the individual members of the Student Union; however, as a group, their uniform behaviour has been indifferent towards the desires of the Student body -- those they represent -- and in doing so, their behaviour has been undemocratic.

The university experience is one that fosters the principles of freedom of thought and expression. It is therefore important that our system of govern-

- ment (Student Union) adhere to these fundamental freedoms ina democratic manner. If this democratic ideal is not attempted, then we must question the need for a student governmentat all.

Over the past four years, there have been a number of issues in which the Student Union has been involved. Unfortunately, in the past year the good intentions of the present Union has run afoul of this "ideal". The fact that the CFS referendum was made null and void due to outdated voting lists was but one of a number of incidents this year that has tainted the "reign" of the present government. With the best of intentions, they tried to resolve this problem by changing their constitution. Believing that it would prove too time consuming, the

Student Union adopted the present | eae

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Student Union Undemocratic?

Constitution of the government of Prince Edward Island. Unfortunately, this government did not recognize one major obstacle: the student government is organized under a republican sys- tem, the Legislature operates under the parliamentary system. Inarepublican system, as in the United States, the people vote for the president. Ina parliamentary system, the people vote for the party, each party already having aleader. To use a parliamentary constitution inarepublican govern- ment is like putting a square peg ina round hole.

The underlying principle of democracy is choice. Inthe upcoming student elections the position of presi- dent is being uncontested. Where there is no choice between candidates there must still be an option provided, in this case the simple option of refusal (i.e. "no, I do not want this person to be my president."). If the majority of voters choose "refusal", then itis obvious that the confidence for the one

. candidate running to assume.the

presidency is not there, and he/she would be defeated. At present, we do not have this choice. All students should be very concerned.

There are undeniable truths which determine "good: government:

a)Government is empowered democratically by the people.

b)Governmentacts on behalf of the people.

c)Government acts in the best interest of the people.

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d)The People can withdraw this empowerment if and when any of the above criteria is not met.

The Student Union, although acting with good intentions, has been lax in fulfilling the standards set for them by the very students who put them in power. With this in mind, we must ask the following: is the Student Union acting democratically (i.e. offering choice, especially for presi- dent); is the Student Union acting on the students’ behalf or its own; is the Student Union acting in the students’ best interest oritsown?

In the end, if we cannot answer

‘these question in favour of the students

themselves, then we must be con- cerned with the legitimacy of the governing body itself. The responsibil- ity to make this determination lies not with those who sit in power; it rests with those who put them there -- we, the student body. An election seen to be illegitimate is no election at all. The Student Union saw fit to declare the recent CFS referendum void due to improper procedures. We the students have the right (and power) to do the same when the Student Union election also follows improper procedures.

Where there is no choice, there isno freedom; :

Where there is no freedom, democracy cannot exist.

Egan Henderson and Marianne Murphy, On behalf of the UPEI Political Studies Society.

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