2 from the editors

March 2, 2011 + Over the Edge

Volume 17, Issue 12 March 2, 2010

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shelby Petersen

MANAGING EDITOR Kali Flick

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Gavin Ireland

COPY EDITOR Jessica N Shapiro

NEWS EDITOR Hanna Petersen

ARTS EDITOR Darcie Smith

FEATURES EDITOR Veronika Kollbrand

CLUBS EDITOR Bianca Chorabik

SPORTS EDITOR Brock Campbell

PHOTO EDITOR John Hall

CONTRIBUTORS NOAH BOLINDER DEVON FLYNN NADIA NOWAK SELENA DEMENOFF JORDAN CROSINA ALDEN CHOW MELANIE SETTER

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Editors Edict

It’s election time at UNBC and here is why you should vote

SHELBY PETERSEN EDITOR IN CHIEF

This week is gearing up to be an exciting one. NUGGS Elections start today, and because of our last two issues and all of the information we have provided for you — you have no reason not to vote!

Students should vote in the NUGGS elections because whether or not you are aware they do play a large role in your education. Most of the events you attend like the Backyard BBQ, The Final Affair, and Winterfest are all put on by NUGSS. They provided services and money for all of those clubs you are involved with. Moreover, they are responsible for the pub as well as Degrees and The Grab and Go. On top of that, NUGSS also provides study rooms for students to use as well as locker rentals. So, if you think NUGSS doesn’t affect your education or time here at UNBC — think again!

If you still are not convinced, here are five reasons why should come out to vote on March 2 & 3:

1) You get the right to complain. If you don’t vote in the election (or any election) you don’t have the right to complain about the actions of the elected officials. Voting is participation and you become a part of the political process — but if you neglect to vote, you are left out of this process. After all, no one likes a person who jumps on the bandwagon in the middle of the game.

2) NUGSS is YOUR student association. The purpose of NUGGS is to act on your behalf in relations with the faculty and administration. If you have a problem with a club you are involved with, or you need information on the women’s Issues, First Nations’ issues of sustainability, then NUGSS can help. And if you don’t like the way things have been run in the past, then it is your duty to vote and change the status quo.

3) UNBC has really low voter turnout. Compared to other schools, UNBC is not a very participatory campus. Last year NUGSS election turnout was only 18%. We have some of the lowest rates of student participation in the nation. UNBC is the best small university in Canada and students should participate in student politics in order to maintain our degree of excellence.

4) You can vote no! Even if you do not like the

candidates there is an option on the ballot to not vote for them. That is right, you can vote no! This is especially important for those candidates who are running uncontested. This “no” option eliminates the excuse for not voting because there is no one good to vote for. Show your disdain in the choice of candidates by voting against them.

5) There are bios of all the candidates in this newspaper and on the NUGGS website. This means that you cannot claim ignorance. If you are currently reading this paper, then you can take 5 more minutes and brief yourself on each of the candidate’s platforms and vote accordingly. Furthermore, there are Facebook groups for each candidate and posters all around

campus. You are being bombarded with information; it’s time to listen!

So there you have it. The rest is up to you. And, if you feel there is no reason to vote because most of the positions are running uncontested that is not the fault of NUGSS, but rather the fault of the student population here at UNBC. If you are upset because every year we have one person run for president, then nominate yourself! Get involved and make a difference here at UNBC. Anytime you see at problem, you have the ability to change it — you just have to try.