Successfully navigating the waters of shared governance at Ohio University, where many give input and few make decisions, requires the ability to mobilize those you represent. That's proved an especially difficult task for Student Senate presidents, tasked with representing a high-turnover population of more than 21,000.
But during recent memory, the president has rarely tried. The 2007-08 president presided over a body that spent much of its time impeaching its vice president. The 2008-09 president publicly expressed contempt for student input. This year's president welcomed student input, but could have done more to seek it out.
Amid eight-figure budget cuts and unaffordable tuition increases, we desperately need a president who will organize students and amplify their voices. That's why The Post endorses Jesse Neader for president of Student Senate.
Plainspoken and occasionally blunt, Neader will stand up to administrators. He isn't afraid to take problems directly to students. After a year of major fee increases, Neader will push to keep higher education affordable.
He isn't without flaws. His proposal to open Budget Planning Council meetings only to the press isn't well thought out. Every student, not just The Post, should have the ability to attend the council's meetings and hear top administrators discuss how tuition dollars will be spent.
Neader could also take a few pointers from the way his opponent, Emily Hanford, conducts herself. He should be slower to outrage and avoid snide asides.
Asked to choose, though, between a timid candidate and one who might occasionally go overboard, we're happy to pick the latter.
Neader doesn't support the city's moves toward a tougher noise ordinance, which would give local police - already equipped with a tough nuisance party ordinance - too much authority and clearly targets students. He's not a fan of the recently passed roof ordinance either. But Neader recognizes the threat of out-of-control fests and will work with the city to keep block parties under control. It's a thoughtful position on a tough problem.
He acknowledges Senate doesn't do enough to represent graduate students. If asked, Neader would support ceding representation of graduate students to Graduate Student Senate - which would give further weight to GSS' advocacy efforts.
Neader will make a competent, articulate president.
The Post endorses Jesse Neader to lead the student body during the 2010-11 academic year.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post's executive editors.
4 Opinion
