Campaign 1995

By Yvonne MacKean Yes, that's right, there is a campaign for Student Union elections this year.

This time last year, my first year, there was only one executive position contested. This year all positions are being contested, one with four candidates! I can only say one thing-wow!

I remember last year thinking that is too bad that there was not more people running to make the election an election. This year, the response is great. The Pit has never looked so lively! Campaign posters are everywhere! And they are not the usual type, the sheets are cases in point! Honestly, if you have not seen, please go take a look. Even the residences, Main, Duffy, and the Dining Hall are showing signs of election fever!

I am hopeful that this interest in Student Union is one that is continued next year campus wide. I have been

_ worried bout the apathy on campus, but the large number of candidates gives me hope. During the speeches in the Pit, I had expected more students, since this year we actually do have a choice. At least there was some people there and work of mouth travels fast and furious.

1 am hoping that with contested positions, maybe more people will get out and vote. Last year there was a feeling that there really was nothing to vote for. Now, in the true spirit of democracy, we have a choice. The campaigning has made me really excited (yes, | am a political studies major!).

This is just my opinion, but | don’t think I am the only one who is feeling a little excitement. I just hope that all this participation continues and everyone go out and exercise your democratic right and VOTE!!!

For Nursing Students Only:

A Fine Line

By Jason Roberts

A few weeks ago, a letter to the editor showed up in the X- Press from a student who felt he had his rights denied. He and a friend had been kicked out of the nursing lounge in the Steele Building by a nursing student for what seems to be no reason other than a sign outside the lounge door that says, “For nursing students only.” I thought I had better address the letter as I had heard about the controversy and it interested me, though! was not exactly sure how or where to start.

I did some research and talked to some informed people on the subject and the con- flict seems to be situated entirely around the sign. Speaking to the Dean of Nursing, I found out that the government had paid for the nurs- ing facility which opened three years ago, and that was when the sign was put up. Since then, no one has disputed it (let alone took notice of it), until now. At the present time, there is no University or Society policy that states that the nursing lounge is only for nursing students. But, some nursing students may have perceived it this way, which is not a crime. while others think it is “no big deal”. “All other faculties have their own lounges”, “the lounge is taken care of and furnished by the Nursing Society”, are just some of the explanations I have heard and these pertain

to all the other lounges on campus as well. But, the reason for the sign is still fuzzy in many people’s minds (especially mine).

The truth is that it is a fine line. The way I see it is that the first year nursing student that read the sign took it seriously, while others may not. She had recognized the two individuals as non-nursing students and believed she was doing the right thing, even if they were causing harm tono one. She asked them to leave as it seemed the normal practice for all nursing students. I do not think she was being selfish, but rather doing what she thought was the right thing. I must admit, I could not track down the girl, so | am not exactly sure how she felt, but after much consideration, this is what | concluded.

| am sure many nursing stu- dents take no notice if there are students from other faculties in their lounge (except maybe during lunch time). But, some do notice and | believe it is because of the sign, not selfishness. A sign, that in my opinion is just a reminder to all to have respect for the lounge, as some people have not. | have heard that steps are being taken to look into the actual authority of the sign, but nothing has happened yet.

Sooner or later, this misunderstanding will resur- face as it is only natural that many people take things too seriously. I guess all we can do now is wait and see. Maybe this article will cause someone who has the power to solve this problem to take the initiative and then....who knows.

Student Union Elections

Advance Polls March 27 & 28, 69pm Regular Polls March 29 & 30, 9am-5pm Voting takes place in the Breezeway

aad ee

march 26, 1995

X-press

- final issue of the year... 7