Letter to the Editor, 11/18/08

To the Editor, ‘ ‘ ‘ I am writing in response to the editorial regarding the conduct of SGB… To the Editor, ‘ ‘ ‘ I am writing in response to the editorial regarding the conduct of SGB slates. I believe The Pitt News has misstated the case of the Revolution slate and characterized its motives wrongly. According to the editorial, when slates or other students accuse SGB candidates of breaking election rules, ‘it makes them look petty and incapable of determining what’s important.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ But the election rules are important. These regulations are not arbitrary. They represent the agreed-upon standards of ethical behavior for SGB candidates. By creating and enforcing these rules, the student body asserts its intolerance of inappropriate behavior in those that would lead it. If slates break or bend these rules, it reflects poorly on their character and judgment. ‘ ‘ ‘ These issues are not petty. If SGB candidates are ignoring the standards of behavior set down by the University community, we deserve to know. The Revolution slate should be commended, not maligned, for bringing these concerns to light. Rachel BeLieu School of Arts and Sciences