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Show ' 44 Signpost luesday, May 26, 1987 XT Lakey should be allowed to retain senator's seat U Emilie Bean Sign Off Editor It is the function of the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the law regardless of what we may all think is just. So it seems to be with the ASWSC Supreme Court. In a recent decision, the ASWSC Supreme Court ruled that newly-elected non-traditional student senator, Thomas Lakey, did not qualify to run for office and, therefore, should have to concede his seat. On the surface this seems like a pretty up-front decision. But, like most controversies, there are so many sides, it is like the spread of light through cut crystal. The basjc facts are that Thomas Lakey ran for ASWSC senator as a non-traditional student even though he is only 20 years old. Lakey is a military veteran and claims he is non-traditional by definition of the area council charter. (An area council is that group which is appointed by the senator to help him determine the needs of his constituency.)Lakey ran unopposed for the office although there were several write-in candidates. Following four weeks of no action, Melvin Feller, also a non-traditional student, brought a case before the ASWSC Supreme Court saying that Lakey did not qualify under official college records. The Supreme Court agreed with Feller. However, there are several areas that still need attention in this case. First, under the definition created by the non-traditional students themselves that was in effect at the time of the election, Lakey qualifies as a candidate under that charter. Second, it is the fault of the elections committee that the "mistake" was made to let him run. Why wasn't this pointed out to Lakey before he went to the time and expense to run? Third, why should Lakey pay for the election committee's mistake when no one else was even interested enough to run for the office? Lakey considers himself non-traditional. He associates with people who qualify as non-traditional and, in at least one way, he himself is non-traditional. When it was the season to run for office, no one ran against him. Now it is no longer the season. If the decision is not appealed, Dave Terry, 1987-88 vice president for academics and administration, will have to appoint a new senator to be ratified by the senate. I have nothing personal against Melvin Feller, but he openly admits he will be on the list of possible appointees to the office. If Feller wanted the office, he should have played fair and run for it, not tried to inch his way through the back door. There is a danger to the purpose of having a non-traditional representation if traditional students pervade it. And, since the time of the elections, the area council of non-traditional students has changed its charter to avoid a similar problem recurring. The ASWSC Supreme Court had no choice but to upnold the rules of the college. The college policy is that a non-traditional student must be 23 years old. It is the purpose of a court of this nature to define the rule. However, this is a case of where justice was not served. Lakey ought to be able to have the position. At least he can assert that he would do the best job because he showed enough interest to run. Regardless of the decision of the court, Lakey should be able to win on appeal because of the mistakes of others and be the non-traditional students' senator. i C ! cps U Kotter: 'Accomplishment reaps rewards' Dr. Marie L. Kotter WSC Vice President Student Services The month of May in academic institutions is fHled with awards banquets, luncheons and programs as faculty and staff acknowledge student accomplishments. As I attend these award programs, I am struck by the spring in the walk, the sparkle in the eyes and the happy smile as students come forward to receive their awards. Although a certificate or plaque in and of itself is not impressive, the accomplishments represented by the awards are considerable. A woman receiving one of the Phi Kappa Phi scholarships is a single parent with seven children and a 3.91 GPA. The outstanding business graduate has combined duties as a student body officer, volunteer fireman and finance student into an impressive record which has earned him a place in the University of Chicago's MBA program on a Phi Kappa Phi scholarship.The student winners in the writing competitions see their work published in the Metaphor and their writings are read at the English awards luncheon. A husband and wife are both graduating with electronic technology baccalaureate degrees from an extension of Weber State College's program at UTC-Provo, which they were instrumental in bringing to their area. These are only a few examples of the outstanding students and graduates accomplishing their goals at Weber State. The wonderful feeling of accomplishment, of a job well done, is reflected in each face as they come to receive their award. But what of the students who are not graduating, who are not receiving awards, or the students who have dropped out to work on a construction project, taken a full-time job at Hercules or Hill Field, or have started their family. Research has shown that some of these students will return and finish their programs, older and wiser and ready to take advantage of all college has to offer. College provides an unprecedented environment to interact with professors, friends, ideas and books. These experiences provide the freedom to rethink values and goals and expand horizons. It also provides opportunities to accomplish and succeed at big and little tasks. This learning process is a model for life and should be valued and nurtured. Do not retreat to life's chaise lounges. Take part in the many experiences offered on campus in and out of the classroom. Do this for yourself and you, too, will radiate a sparkle in your eye as you come to the podium to receive your award or your diploma. -' " " ' 'ri v1""! 4 Photographers Monica Ray Production Staff -rf. '" 3tM -r-i Judd Bundy Kathryn Ward Alisa Buck Jeff Bybee Rod Zundel Larry Jensen Editor-in-Chief Assistant Sports Editor Darwin Shaw Jon Lewis Linda R. Nimori Blaine Brinjihurst Douglas Slced Advertising Manager Mark Plumley Carter Andersen Managing Editor ArtsEntertainment Editor . , JaNae Barlow Tanja Schaffer Graphic Artist Ad Representatives aisor Michael Christcnson j Arms(rong P- VaTr s,anle News Editor Signature Editor Harold Davis Christopher Gamble Sheila Christensen Staff Reporters Karen J. Leonard! Assistant Advisor Terry E. Allen Susan Rivas Loretta Park Assistant News Editors ... Harold Davis Mark Hadley K" ". '!""r . Phil Donbass Production Manager Secretary Yun Hui Pak " Karen Farley S. Leroy Sturgeon Jolet Olson Katy Frandsen Sports Editor Copy Editor Sue Hiatt Assistant Production Mgr Publisher Dave Allison Christopher James Jennifer Infills Kristen Olsen Randolph J. Scott |
