Allie Curtis leaves behind a presidential legacy of tension that reflects a larger problem of internal issues that the Student Association has faced for several sessions.

When Curtis was elected president of SA’s 57th Session, she won with more than 1,200 votes in a four-candidate race. She beat her closest competitor by 284 votes.

Her presidency began to spiral downward when her first semester became primarily internally focused. Because of this, other initiatives Curtis prioritized during her campaign were overlooked. Her image has since suffered as a result.

In March, SA cabinet members attempted to impeach Curtis. They claimed she misled them when she allowed a nonstudent to bypass university regulations without their knowledge. Curtis knowingly allowed this individual to hold the position of public relations director, giving him the right to vote.

After a six-hour, closed executive session, the general assembly voted against impeaching Curtis. However, the damage had been done. Curtis was stripped of her power to preside in assembly meetings, therefore influencing her ability to effectively lead the organization.

Following Summer Break, Curtis looked for a fresh start for SA, something she would struggle to obtain. In late August, when the session reconvened, four members of Curtis’ already crippled cabinet had left.

But Curtis is not the first SA president to encounter internal problems. Similar controversy faced Dylan Lustig, the president of the 56th Session, after an SA formal in spring 2012 violated the organization’s codes.

Curtis has led initiatives that prove her leadership skills. This semester, Curtis brought the Elect Her initiative to campus to promote female involvement in politics. She has also worked to increase female involvement within SA, something she has said was lacking when she first got involved with the organization.

She also helped add vice presidential candidates to the SA election ballot. This shift allows voting students to choose a predetermined presidential and vice presidential combination. By choosing vice presidential candidates, students are able to have more input in determining who their representative figures will be.

This type of focus on SA’s constituency is important. Fifty-eighth Session President-elect Boris Gresely should continue to focus on the students to help SA regain a positive reputation on campus.

Curtis’ legacy is synonymous with impeachment and scandal. The organization as a whole should not carry on the same image.

Published on November 19, 2013 at 2:10 am

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