To the Editor:
This letter, drafted by the Student Council Executive Board of 2010-11, rebukes the recent measures enacted by Student Council on three counts: the amendment ignores the basic problems impairing student government; the amendment’s existence infringes on the sovereignty of Andover students through Student Council; and the amendment is dilatory.
Firstly, the inefficacy of student leadership does not warrant a change in how we lead but rather in whom we elect. We entreat future generations of Andover students to remove their elected officials before removing their electoral offices. It is a privilege to lead the student body on student government and one which should not be taken lightly without fear of checks or balances. No one can mandate culture, but we can encourage students to seriously weigh the importance of their student government, understanding that if poor leadership persists, then diffusion of powers will only exacerbate present pangs. If you want a healthy, robust student government, do not elect more powers. Elect more capable students.
Secondly, we recommend that after this motion, which has been supervised and/or prompted by the administration, each student should consider why we have Student Council. What will your voice be? Will you elect leaders as perfunctory figureheads or as representatives to cultivate “goodness and knowledge”? Student Council of 2012-13 has just legislated away the right of every Phillips Academy student to individually lead in student government. You have been deemed incapable of holding office on your own by all but three of your peers. We ask you: are there two Heads of School at Phillips Academy?
Lastly, while the amendment looks to balance the numbers of young women and men on student council, it is a top-down debacle. Students seriously interested in this end should rework Student Council from the bottom-up. Foster younger classes—as currently prescribed by the Constitution—to become future leaders. Do not hedge bets, hoping that duplicating leadership positions will resolve anything. Be active, care about your school and care about one another.
Students should be upset that their representatives have, out of fear or misinformation, bet against them. We hope that students will revisit and revise the roles that their student body president and student government have played and can play. In our recent year, Student Council was awarded nearly $25,000 in grants, and the Cabinet, which was comprised of both sexes, worked collectively and responsibly. We held one another accountable. Equally, the students of Phillips Academy should hold their leadership accountable. We hope the students are watching.
Best,
Student Council Executive Board 2010-11:
Michael MacKay ’11
Jacqueline Lender ’11
Christopher Batchelder ’11
