Stute Editorial: Passing the torch
Natalie Schloeder
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Opinion
We are reaching that time of the year when the underclassmen will step up to the plate and run for election to fill the spots vacated by graduating seniors and retiring officers. With the Student Government Election starting Monday and The Stute's own election only four weeks away, I am reminded of my own transition into a new office and the difficulties I faced.
As seasoned officers, we find a groove that keeps our academic responsibilities and our student organization commitments in a relative balance. We have learned through trial and error what works and what will result in catastrophic failure. We also have fairly good ideas about what areas of our respective organizations could use improvement.
Unfortunately a year is not long enough to gain your sea legs AND make all your plans of growth and improvement a reality. A year is just long enough to realize something about yourself and make a few marginal improvements along the way.
The experience gained, however, is not to be wasted for any successor will benefit from a first hand account of what their new roles truly entail. It is a shame that many leaders, once released from their roles, often do not hang around to support and train those newly elected. I implore those stepping down from positions of power to dedicate a sufficient amount of time to guiding those students that rise to take their place.
On the other hand, there are also those leaders that refuse to move on. The cycle of elections, both on campus and in the real world, is a lot like the circle of life. A change in leadership is natural and necessary in order to ensure fresh ideas and keep an organization looking towards its future. We are grateful to those that have served in positions of authority, who have dedicated their time to improving campus life and have remained committed to the ideals most sacred to our community. However, it is in the best interest of that community for old leaders to pass the torch on to the rising classes to guarantee the continuation of their our traditions and hard work.
In four weeks I will be saying goodbye to my leadership role and while I have yet to figure out what it is I will take most from the position of Editor in Chief of The Stute, I am positive that my successor will have the benefit of my experiences as a guide to their term in my office… soon, poignantly, to be my old office.
Natalie Schloeder
Editor in Chief
The Stute
As seasoned officers, we find a groove that keeps our academic responsibilities and our student organization commitments in a relative balance. We have learned through trial and error what works and what will result in catastrophic failure. We also have fairly good ideas about what areas of our respective organizations could use improvement.
Unfortunately a year is not long enough to gain your sea legs AND make all your plans of growth and improvement a reality. A year is just long enough to realize something about yourself and make a few marginal improvements along the way.
The experience gained, however, is not to be wasted for any successor will benefit from a first hand account of what their new roles truly entail. It is a shame that many leaders, once released from their roles, often do not hang around to support and train those newly elected. I implore those stepping down from positions of power to dedicate a sufficient amount of time to guiding those students that rise to take their place.
On the other hand, there are also those leaders that refuse to move on. The cycle of elections, both on campus and in the real world, is a lot like the circle of life. A change in leadership is natural and necessary in order to ensure fresh ideas and keep an organization looking towards its future. We are grateful to those that have served in positions of authority, who have dedicated their time to improving campus life and have remained committed to the ideals most sacred to our community. However, it is in the best interest of that community for old leaders to pass the torch on to the rising classes to guarantee the continuation of their our traditions and hard work.
In four weeks I will be saying goodbye to my leadership role and while I have yet to figure out what it is I will take most from the position of Editor in Chief of The Stute, I am positive that my successor will have the benefit of my experiences as a guide to their term in my office… soon, poignantly, to be my old office.
Natalie Schloeder
Editor in Chief
The Stute
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