Student body presidents come and go.
Over the past years, I’ve served beside them – the professional, the political, the popular, and oddly enough, the pirate. But I’ve never gotten the student body president I want. They just don’t live up to my expectations, and they’re often overrated.
In fact, if the truth were known, most students probably couldn’t give the job description of the SBP or even name the student who currently occupies the office. No, the average student has too many other day-to-day worries.
For those of you who don’t know, the student body presidency is the most powerful student leadership position on campus. The responsibilities include: serving on the University’s Board of Trustees, advocating to various administrative units, designing programs for campus life and uniting the student body around common initiatives.
And the perks are surprisingly extravagant.
Most student body presidents choose not to disclose all the gifts, invitations, and special offers they receive – and for good reason. In addition to their lavishly furnished office, a $4,100 stipend, and an all-campus parking pass, SBPs have been known to receive gold jewelry, free cell phone plans, dinners with millionaires, and elite athletic tickets to all NCSU games.
Don’t ever let them fool you.
This past week, election season kicked off for students to file for our University’s top leadership post, and the race for the presidency is already crowded with four candidates.
As a starting gunshot to this year’s election season, I want to make some quick observations about each candidate and offer them some personalized advice for the campaign trail.
Adam Compton – The New Teddy Roosevelt
If there’s such thing as a front-runner in the race for student body president, it’s Adam Compton. Anyone who knows our student body treasurer is sure to highlight his enthusiasm for NCSU, his dedicated work ethic, and his superior knowledge of our university. Just like President Teddy Roosevelt, Compton wants a little less talk and a lot more action.
During his campaign, he will have to capitalize on his experience in Student Government and communicate a clear vision for bringing much-needed reform to the executive branch. Even with his successful record, he must remember to engage the student body in his campaign.
Mitch Danforth – The Friendly Park Scholar
Admittedly, Mitch Danforth is the candidate I know the least. But when I met him, I could feel the energy and happiness rushing from his body. This boy has some pep.
As an advocate for the renovation of Hillsborough Street, Danforth has formed long-lasting connections with the City of Raleigh and top University officials. These relationships could be nurtured into future alliances to increase tailgating fun and reinstitute memorable traditions like the Brent Road party.
Yet, one thing worries me about him – he’s a Park Scholar. Throughout the next month, Danforth will have to convince us that he understands what it’s like to struggle paying an overpriced tuition bill.
And… why exactly is he running?
Kate Luckadoo – The Wolfpack’s Family Heir
Anywhere you go on campus, you’ll probably run into a Luckadoo. With a mother in Campus Activities and a father who serves as an associate vice chancellor, Kate Luckadoo has access to the top tiers of Student Affairs.
Those who know her are impressed with her calm, diplomatic spirit – surely inherited from her father. In addition, she is well-connected with students in housing, University Orientation, and fellow leaders in the Caldwell program.
Although she shows promising potential to become a unifying leader, Luckadoo will have to prove to students that she can stand up to an administration led by mom and dad. Bobby Mills – The People Lover
Bobby Mills loves people and his quotes in this newspaper make that quite obvious. While I suggest that it would benefit him to speak more genuinely, he truly is a gentle and compassionate kind of guy.
As the executive secretary to the current SBP and a persistent Wolfpack Club member, Mills has witnessed the need to revitalize the presidency and reconnect the office to plain ol’ folk.
Over the next weeks, he must showcase his tougher side and convince us that he can influence a skeptical Student Government to follow his lead. Also, we’re all wondering why more of this executive secretary’s ideas didn’t become the current policy of his boss-man.
So, for anyone else out there that wants to be the next student body president – you might want to wait another year. Choice in democratic elections is beneficial, but this race is already crowded.
E-mail Forrest your suggestions for SBP candidates at [email protected].
