The job of Student Assembly president could hardly be described as the most sought after position on campus this year.
Just three candidates have placed themselves on the ballot for the job that could arguably make them the most powerful student on campus. Last year, five candidates sought the position. Two years ago, seven candidates fought for the presidency.
Many student leaders show little interest in the position, saying the Assembly receives little respect from students and administrators, and the amount of work they would have to put in would just not be worth it.
Jim Brennan '96 dropped out of the race at the end of last term. He said he wants to concentrate on his academics during his senior year and did not want to go through the rigors of campaigning.
Brennan described the election process as "arduous" and said it is difficult to undergo "public discussions about your character or ideas" on a campus the size of Dartmouth's campus.
Brennan said the Assembly's reputation for infighting and politicking makes it more difficult to convince student leaders to join the Assembly.
"The way the Student Assembly has been the last few years has not been conducive to people who want to do something," he said. "I don't think the frustration is worth it to people."
The Assembly is viewed as a very political body by students and things that are seen as political are viewed negatively at Dartmouth, Brennan said.
Dean of the College Lee Pelton said, "It seems to me, from what I can tell, that it's not a very desirable position among students -- that's not to say that this year's candidates aren't excellent and qualified."
Pelton said he does not foresee the position becoming more desirable until the Assembly is restructured.
Assembly Vice President John Honovich '97 said lack of student interest in the position of president has "a lot to do with reputation."
Honovich said there are tradeoffs to be made because of the time commitment involved with the position. Honovich said he will be more likely to run in next year's election if the Assembly runs more smoothly this year.
"There are not a lot of benefits for the time you put into it," he said. "It's a tough job. It's pressure-filled."
Assembly President Rukmini Sichitiu '95 was the only student interviewed to say three candidates is a good number of students in the race.
John Strayer '96, past-president of Amarna undergradutate society, said an Assembly president must be willing to put all his or her energy into the position to be successful.
"You have to give everything if you're going to get anything back," he said. "If you give anything less than everything, you'll get nothing."
But even if the president is fully committed to the job, the Assembly might not accomplish anything because of its poor reputation on campus, Strayer said.
"I don't think Rukmini's bitter, but I think she questions whether it was worth the time she gave to it," he said.
Junior Class Vice President Tom Caputo said he has never run for a position in the Assembly because of the Assembly's political infighting and its lack of focus.
"I decided I would prefer to run for a position where I felt I could contribute positively to my class and to Dartmouth, while enjoying the process and the people at the same time," he said. "It seems to me that those two things aren't possible while serving as president or vice president of the SA."
Conservative Union At Dartmouth President Bill Hall '96 said he believes that the work during campaign week and campaign costs deter students from running for Student Assembly president.
"People just don't want to go through that," he said.
Campus activist Sean Donahue '96 said he feels many leftist activists on campus do not consider running for president because they do not see the Assembly as relevant to their work.
"Personally, why I'm not running is because I don't really believe in hierarchy," Donahue said.
