A meeting was held Oct. 31 to address complaints of several students about the recent Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) elections.
Fourteen students sent a letter of complaint to Carleton president Roseann Runte and Senate clerk Katherine Kelly Oct. 26, outlining their issues with the elections.
According to the letter, the dates for the election moved around considerably, which is a violation of CASG’s electoral code.
The election was originally supposed to be held Sept. 17, followed by four days of voting, but the election didn’t proceed until Oct. 11, the letter stated.
“A couple emails went out too late, some nominations came in a little late, so by the time everything took shape and [the emails] went out, it was delayed, said CASG president Alexander Golovko.
Another complaint focused on a lack of communication relating to the changed dates. The applications of two students were rejected due to miscommunication, according to the letter. Golovko said these students are being given a new opportunity.
“Many candidates were confused and inquired as to when voting days would occur. Most . . . received no response, [were] unable to let their friends know when to vote, and . . . ultimately disengaged from the election itself, the letter stated.
Ruba Khan, CASG vice-president (internal), said she, among others, were indeed letting students know about the delay.
“It was not just the VPI but all the CASG exec who were involved in communicating with students through answering their questions on Facebook as well as through emails, Khan said via email.
“The changing dates of elections were updated to our website as well as on Facebook and sent in emails as we were informed of changes from the Senate. The CASG was waiting on the Senate to confirm the delays and so we could only communicate it once we knew what was happening ourselves, she added.
Though the letter singles out Khan several times, Golovko said there was no ill will on her part.
[Khan] might have overseen something, but we are in the process of reviewing what has been done and what hasn’t, Golovko said.
This wasn’t an attempt to manipulate the election process, he said.
At the Oct. 31 meeting, the Senate found the CASG executives made a good effort with the elections, Khan said.
The Senate believes our election to be legitimate and thus, the complaints were not so substantial as to deem the elections illegitimate,she said. The CASG executive takes responsibility for any errors we made and we are in the process of fully resolving the complaints.
