With all the talk about spring break, warm weather and post-graduation plans on campus, it’s easy for students to forget about the most important decision of spring semester 2008: voting. Within the next few months, Fairfield students will be faced with several opportunities to exercise their right to vote, both locally and nationally.

The upcoming presidential primaries, held on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, and the 2008 FUSA elections, held in the lower level of the Barone Campus Center on Feb. 28, may not be on the minds of busy students, but with so much at stake in both of these elections, it is imperative that students exercise their right to vote.

Yes, students are known for having rather short attention spans, and perhaps the national campaigning period seems like it has been dragging on forever – but things are just heating up.

There is a lot riding on the national election, particularly for college students. Current seniors are entering one of the worst job markets in years. College tuition and financial concerns plague families as the value of the dollar rapidly declines. The war in Iraq has divided the nation and has transformed the others’ perceptions of the U.S. and Americans among foreign nations.

And it is undeniable: every vote counts.

Candidates have recognized the role younger voters play in the election and responded with college-targeted campaigning such as writing in to college newspapers or via Facebook.

College students have the power, it is just up to us to use it – not only in the national elections but also in the upcoming FUSA elections.

Hutch Williams ’08 has served as FUSA president for the past two years, running unopposed last year. He has brought Stag spirit to an all-time high. Prospective successors will need to step up and lead convincing platforms, but students need to pay attention and vote.

FUSA elections, while on a much smaller scale, have an impact on student activities and affairs on campus. Students are ultimately electing the figurehead of the student body who will represent the University to the outside world.

Elections and student government races directly put your seal of approval on the leader of your school or country. Why wouldn’t you want to have a say?

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.