To the Editor:
In Friday's Verbum Ultimum ("The Parkhursted President," April 1), The Dartmouth Editorial Board "urge[d] EPAC to reconsider its decision" to prohibit previously suspended students from running for student body president and vice president. However, the Board was "unwilling to endorse" an amendment to the Student Assembly Constitution that would do just that. As a past and prospective candidate, I understand the importance of an independent enforcement body to legitimize Assembly elections. Still, I believe that by enacting new eligibility restrictions rather than enforcing the standing ones, EPAC has exceeded its authority as a planning and advisory committee to Student Assembly.
Amending the Student Assembly Constitution is the proper way to address the change announced by EPAC. The 2011 election packet distributed by EPAC describes the organization's role as "ensuring a fair election by justly enforcing the provisions set forth in the General Election Guidelines." Those guidelines reflect the eligibility requirements as being enacted "pursuant to the Student Assembly Constitution," which describes the eligibility requirements in full. The proposed amendment would only make explicit what was already implicit by adding: "and there shall be no other eligibility restriction." EPAC precedent on this exact issue indicates that it would be bound by such an amendment ("EPAC extends eligibility to disciplined students," April 5, 2005).
I encourage any student interested in speaking on the amendment to attend General Assembly tonight at 7 p.m. in Collis 101.
Will Hix '12
