When Hayley Plant decided to ambush Ben Cavataro in Wednesday’s issue of the Alligator and berate him for not knowing the election codes, she forgot to, y’know, read the election codes.
It’s true that door-to-door campaigning is not permitted on campus. However, door-to-door campaigning off campus is acceptable, provided there aren’t any signs in plain view that say “No Solicitors” or anything to that effect (in Ben’s case, there obviously were not).
Fact is, the Student Alliance party remains the only party on campus that gives a damn about getting more people involved in Student Government. Less than 20 percent of students vote, and as much as everybody loves to complain about that fact, Ben Cavataro and his allies are the only people I’ve ever seen genuinely try to get people involved.
Campaigning off campus is a great way to do this, because it allows people to converse casually and honestly without being in a rush to get to class. And, sorry Unite, but deploying freshmen to follow us around on Turlington Plaza and shower us with fake cheer doesn’t count.
I’m talking about genuine — yes, genuine — effort to involve students in how their tuition is spent. As a former senator and executive candidate — and long-time colleague of Ben Cavataro — I can tell you that I still have never met another person in SG who matches his caliber of genuine respect for others, openness to criticism and honor.
So, Hayley, next time you run into a Student Alliance table, ask for Ben and spend five minutes having a conversation with him — you’ll see what I mean and probably change your mind.
