A Prevailing Patriarchy
With the results of the recent StuCo election coming in, one thing is clear: we will have an all-male Student Council Executive Board next year. There is nothing inherently wrong with an all-male board. I’m sure that all the candidates up for the runoff election and all who will serve in the Executive Board next year are more than capable. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that the norm continues to be to have a majority male Executive Board. We are lucky enough to have a multitude of talented female students who are more than capable of steering the Student Council. I would like to see more female candidates run next year and hopefully win.
It’s just sad to see the lack of diversity and the lack of representation in our student council.
The importance of having women in positions of power doesn’t come due to any special capability women might have. I do not believe that women are inherently better suited for leadership positions than men. Rather, it is important for younger girls who look for role models to have older women in positions of power. Role models are crucial in helping people develop their paths. Without someone like you in a position of power, it’s hard to believe that you are capable of attaining such a position and it’s hard to chart the route necessary to get there. Perhaps part of the reason why more girls don’t run for office on campus is that they don’t believe themselves to be electable. If we have more girls in positions of power, this notion would clearly change.
Furthermore, in a school with a roughly equal number of males and females and a very talented and ambitious pool of students, it makes no sense that there wouldn’t be just as many girls as boys with the capability and the drive to run for elected office. We live in an age where gender equality has supposedly been the norm for decades now. We live in a cloistered community of people who are supposedly more intelligent and more open than others. We must have at least a couple of qualified girls who are willing to run for office. I don’t understand why more girls don’t run for elected office on our campus, why more girls don’t strive for leadership positions on our campus when there must be at least some qualified students.
The inclusion of girls on the Executive Board would have a positive impact. Throughout this election process, the student body has been clear in its desire to see real change enacted by the Student Council rather than endless discussion on big ideas and the tossing around of buzz words like “transparency” and “mental health.” To enact change requires innovation and creativity. In order for change to be supported it would have to reflect the desires of our vast and diverse student body. Clearly, three boys from the same dorm wouldn’t be representative of the majority of the student body, wouldn’t understand the desires of the vast majority of the student body and would all share similar views. Individually they may all be capable, but it’s important to look at the board as a whole rather than just the individuals.
I’m not writing this to dismiss the capability of those who will serve in our student council’s Executive Board next year. I’m sure that they will do great work in their positions and that they will take steps to improve student life on campus. It’s just sad to see the lack of diversity and the lack of representation in our student council. Next year, I would love to see the talented and capable girls of my class stand up and put their names up for election. I would love to see a student council that is representative of my school and that represents my interest and desires.