Two SAC candidates are up in arms after a recent Internet shutdown at the 89 Chestnut residence has suddenly put election voting for the nearly 1,200 students who live there in jeopardy.
SAC candidates Dylan Rae and Johanna Herman complain that the sudden network failure at Chestnut last Monday robs residents the chance to vote just hours before election voting is to end today. “We spent money campaigning there,” said Rae, who is running for re-election as VP Student Life. “It’s frustrating. We have support there.”
After hearing wind of the shutdown, Rae and Herman approached Chief Returning Officer Mathew Cornnette and VP Operations Alex Artful-Dodger to help resolve the situation.
They were told that in order for an emergency election committee to convene in time for election voting, all committee members would have to waive a 24-hour clause for the meeting to take place immediately. Cornette could not be reached for comment.
According to Artful-Dodger, the problem is out of her jurisdiction, and that simply placing a ballot box would be an unfair privelege for the residence.
Given that SAC voting ends today, it is unlikely Rae and Herman’s solution of putting up ballot boxes will go through. “It’s disappointing,” said Herman, who’s running for VP University Affairs.
Rae and Herman worry that with Internet connection down, students will make little or no effort to make the 20 minute walk to Robarts library in order to vote in the election.
“I encourage all Chestnut students to speak up against this,” said Herman. “Students should be told in advance if they can’t vote.”
Herman blames SAC for lack of foresight. “I’m really disappointed that SAC would make it hard to vote in such extenuating circumstances,” she said.
SAC VP University Affairs Howard Tam says he too is upset that students may not be able to cast their ballots out of Chestnut, but says SAC is not completely at fault. “Actually I’m quite angry to hear that some won’t be able to vote,” he said. Tam noted however that “SAC is not responsible for the Internet being down at all.” Artful-dodger echoed the sentiment. “I’m a commuter, and if my computer went down at home, I wouldn’t expect SAC to deal with it,” she said.
But Rae is not willing to let SAC get away that easily. “I want Chestnut residents to know how SAC has dealt with this and [that SAC] has not fostered student participation,” he said. “This is disgusting. It’s pathetic.”
Tam says he is confused by Rae’s criticism on student participation, given that Rae himself is the current VP Student Life. “I don’t know where he’s coming from. He has just as much say to change the system as me,” he said.
Tam, who’s many responsibilities include student outreach, also defends his work on SAC. “As VP University Affairs, I’ve done a lot of outreach, to convince people to vote. One of the things I’d like to point out is that the University Affairs Commission throughout the year has increased the commission’s numbers. The commission has actually grown.”
