With another Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) election over, something other than the hordes of campaigners in the tunnels made me pause: the revelation of who exactly is campaigning, and what it says about student involvement.
According to the Carleton University Greek Council Facebook page, 30 per cent of CUSA elections candidates this year were members of Greek organizations. This number is especially surprising considering there are only 750 active Greek members at Carleton, representing about 3 per cent of the university population.
Despite this exclusivity, Greek members are consistently taking on leadership roles in many areas of student politics and life, from CUSA to clubs to philanthropic events. The potential influence of Greeks on campus is enormous. For example, if all active Greek members voted in last week’s election, they would have an electoral power of around 11 per cent, nearly quadruple what their voting power would be if all students turned out to the polls. This doesn’t include inactive Greeks, or friends Greeks may be able to convince to vote due to social connections.
The power the Greek community regularly brings to campus life is important to note because it highlights both the potential dangers and potential rewards of being active in the student community.
The Greek community is incredibly diverse, growing, and improving many of the endeavours they pursue. But imagine if a malicious organization had the same political influence at our university, or more broadly, our country or another. The results could be disastrous for our education, personal growth, and freedoms.
Having a larger group of students to run for leadership positions and voice their concerns creates a check against potential corruption of any dominant interest group that may arise.
On the other hand, the power of good that such a small group can create is an inspiration for more students to become politically aware and active. If we could double the amount of students that were as involved on campus as Greeks, we as a community would tremendously benefit. From improved student government, to more and better quality student events, to raising money for local, national, and international initiatives, the possibilities are endless. Many people may believe their contributions are too small to make a difference, but the fact that Greek organizations can be such a powerful force shows otherwise.
It will be another year until CUSA elections roll around again. By that time, I hope the students who avoided them this year will decide to participate, and see how much they too can influence Carleton.
