Page 1 of 1
School Politics
Posted: 5/2/2003, 2:20 pm
by Susan
We had three candidates running for student council president, and the they decided to remove one them because he's failing one of his courses.
Most everyone I've spoken to are outraged by this, and I'm curious as to what you guys thinks of the situation.
Posted: 5/2/2003, 2:44 pm
by Axtech
Personally, I think it's justified. I mean, if someone can't handle one of their courses, they likely cannot handle the responsibilities of being student council president.
However, a question does arise... If said person had dropped the failing course before running, would he/she still be removed from the election? Probably not. Therein lies the injustification.
It would also depend on the student's reasons for failing. If it's because of a lack of time to study/do homework, then the answer is no, this person should not be president. However, if the reason is something more reasonable, such as "I just can't handle quantum physics", they deserve to stay in the running.
I should have picked "depends", but I clicked on the first one. In most cases, they should be dropped from the running, but there are a select few situations in which the person deserves to run. I hope that whoever coordinated the removal of this student did some research into why they are failing...
Posted: 5/2/2003, 3:38 pm
by emily
I also should've picked depends, but I didn't think enough before making a decision. I put yes. But just as Rob said, if they said they just failed an AP Calc course or something, then I wouldn't kick them out. If they were failing gym or an art class, now that is a different matter....
Posted: 5/2/2003, 3:39 pm
by superrgirll
the same kinda thing happened at my school a couple of years ago. some guy couldn't run for student council because his grades weren't high enough. he got all pissed off and started putting up angry posters around the school. i don't really know what happened after, but i think he got in trouble.
heh, if it was my decision, i wouldn't let him on student council either. this guy is nuts. everyone at school knows him as crazy jack.
Posted: 5/2/2003, 3:45 pm
by emily
crazy jack? hahaha
Posted: 5/2/2003, 3:46 pm
by superrgirll
yeah, that's what everyone calls him. i wouldn't be surprised if his mother dropped him on the head as a baby.
Posted: 5/2/2003, 3:48 pm
by emily
repeatedly...
Posted: 5/2/2003, 4:00 pm
by Susan
But this guy isn't a crazy jack, he's actually a very talented, agreeable, and honest person. I think he represents the population of school better than the other two candidates.
Posted: 5/2/2003, 4:08 pm
by Corey
it doesn't matter. The point isn't whether or not he is capable of being student president. The point is that you are there for education, not activities. If you are not performing in school, you are not allowed to be a part of any school extra-curricular activities so that you can focus on your studies and improve. The same is the case with sports, you must carry a certain GPA to stay on the team.
But that is the school's ideology. Personally I don't care because Student Government is a waste. It's not like they do anything.
Posted: 5/2/2003, 4:22 pm
by megxyz128
I put it depends. He could not excel in a certain subject, but most definitely be qualified for the position. It doesn't matter how smart you are when it comes to things like these. Our class president has higher than a 4.0 and he has practically no people skills.
Posted: 5/2/2003, 6:16 pm
by Neil
failing a class isn't justifiable enough, I think. G.W. is our Commander in Chief, but its not like the tool is perfect at everything. Clinton was pres. and he couldn't keep his stuff under the sheets.
A kid failing a class could have other reasoning behind it......perhaps its a weak area. I was vice pres. of my class my sophmore and junior year and I basically failed out of my math classes each year. But I handled my duties as a class officer very well.
Oh......I voted no hahaha
Posted: 5/2/2003, 9:33 pm
by Sufjan Stevens
Well, there's a difference between having a "weak subject" and flat out failing the class. My weak subject is math, and even though I suck at it, I am still able to work my ass off and get a C+ in calculus. I bet if this kid were able to at least pull it up to a D, then no one would care. But to flat out fail a class and expect the school administrators to let him be the class president is just laughable. If he wins, it's saying "you don't have to be the smartest, or relatively smart, as long as you can win a popularity contest, you can be the spokesperson for the school and be the kid that incoming freshmen should look up to." Now think about it, would you want your school "leader" to be some one that can't pull off a semi-decent grade in a subject?
Posted: 5/6/2003, 6:43 pm
by nelison
at my school you must have 70% avg to stay on council... you can run for council if you have less than that but if your avg the next year is below 70% you're gone... this year we had 4 people kicked off due to marks
Posted: 5/8/2003, 9:04 am
by buzhwa
I chose depends - I think the school should look at his reason for failing the class.
Posted: 5/8/2003, 8:20 pm
by nelison
in high school odds are you fail because you don't try. As long as you hand in work, and make an attempt at studying you can easily achieve 70's, high school is about effort or bull shitting... if you can't do one or the other you aren't going to do well.
Posted: 5/8/2003, 8:29 pm
by sandsleeper
yeah i think i'd have to make a serious effort to fail in my school. even doing no homework and cutting half the time wouldn't do it.
Posted: 5/9/2003, 1:33 pm
by Neil
For Your Lungs Only wrote:Well, there's a difference between having a "weak subject" and flat out failing the class. My weak subject is math, and even though I suck at it, I am still able to work my ass off and get a C+ in calculus. I bet if this kid were able to at least pull it up to a D, then no one would care. But to flat out fail a class and expect the school administrators to let him be the class president is just laughable. If he wins, it's saying "you don't have to be the smartest, or relatively smart, as long as you can win a popularity contest, you can be the spokesperson for the school and be the kid that incoming freshmen should look up to." Now think about it, would you want your school "leader" to be some one that can't pull off a semi-decent grade in a subject?
*presses the buzzer but the damn thing isn't working*
What would be yes....