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Volume CXXXI, Number 22 |
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If you can't walk the walk, don't mock the mock
TODD BUELL
Experienced Bowdoin students know that when spring arrives, it not only
means the advent of longer days, but also the annual campaign for the
mock "Bowdoin Congress" seat.
First years may be confused by the sudden influx of signs all over campus
proclaiming "smarter and prettier" candidates with "no
more outrageous ideas" and other peppy slogans. Confusion combined
with cynical comments from disgruntled upperclassmen may encourage our
newcomers to ignore the Gov 361 election, since it is not "real."
Indeed, the seat is not real; the election is a class exercise. However,
it is a disservice to the dedicated students in Gov 361 to disregard their
genuine efforts to both learn about the political process and improve
our campus.
I spoke with the course's instructor, Dr. Christian P. Potholm, a DeAlva
Stanwood Alexander Professor of Government and thirty-year veteran of
politics and elections. He said that the student body should care about
this election because the candidates organize their campaigns around issues
that concern the student population. Already, early in the campaign, we
see both candidates trying to capture student opinion on the plus/minus
debate by suggesting compromise-a "grandfathering" proposal.
Though I am not sure how receptive the faculty will be to this proposal,
the Bowdoin electorate should not judge the success of this class exercise
on the contentious plus/minus controversy. Professor Potholm indicated
that past elections have resulted in changes to school policy. He explained
that last year, after candidates photographed a faculty parking lot being
empty on many occasions, Security changed the lot's status from faculty
to student. Though this policy change may seem minor, it does show the
way in which the mock election can foment real reform.
Critics of the election suggest that campaigning and discussing issues
disrespects the more formal effort of Student Government to bring student
voices to the school administration. Certainly those involved in Student
Government perform a great service to us as students. Just recently, it
helped change Fall and Spring Break and added the taxi service. However,
Student Government should not monopolize the gauging of student opinion.
There is no reason why the mock election candidates and Student Government
officials cannot work together to determine the needs and concerns of
our student body. "Team Zhara" has asked a Student Government
official to follow them on campaign stops in first-year dormitories, and
the official has agreed to do so.
Travis Cummings, Zhara's opponent, told me that his team will discuss
issues with Student Government because it "is important to make sure
that our campaigns keep a realistic shape to them."
These are laudable efforts by both candidates to share information with
Student Government for the good of the college community.
We the student body should also respect this mock election because it
is a public culmination of this class's genuine passion for government
and our political process. In this regard, our active participation in
the election is absolutely analogous to attending a music recital, a play,
an art show, or completing a survey for a sociology class. By offering
suggestions, listening to debates, and actively engaging ourselves in
the campaign, we show this class the same appreciation for their art as
we do to students of any of the aforementioned disciplines.
However the class's most commendable purpose is to combat the entrenched
culture of apathy within the "Bowdoin Bubble." This culture
is not unique to Bowdoin. The 18-24 age group consistently votes in a
lower percentage than any other demographic. Yet life within the bubble
perpetuates our apathy. Our grades are often inflated, all of our meals
are provided for us, our dorms are cleaned daily, and there are deans
and resource centers for every minority or disadvantaged group. Professor
Potholm explained that one goal of the class is to force "Children
of Privilege" (or COPS, as he calls them) to work strenuously in
pursuit of a tangible goal. This is certainly a redeemable lesson from
the course.
Indeed, the students of Gov 361 do tireless work to change the Bowdoin
campus and encourage good civic habits. Living in a democracy requires
an informed and active population to elect the best possible people into
public office. Within such a society, it is a sin of indefensible magnitude
to complain about issues if one does not consistently vote.
The students of Gov 361 are publicly expressing their passion for our political process. In so doing, their class exercise leads to positive change on the Bowdoin campus and helps combat a culture of apathy. This mock campaign is a service and education to us all and deserves your real support.