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St. Cloud State University
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Hal Kimball reacts to MSUSA hire
Published:
Thursday, April 7, 2005
I would like to take the opportunity to set the record straight.� Nick Hanson's propaganda piece "Election creates controversy" manufactured controversy.�We should be celebrating the fact that one of our own will be a statewide leader in higher education for the next fiscal year.�Instead, we are re-living the past mistakes that create the apathy many of us fight on a daily basis.
�My intentions for running for State Chair are pure.�I was nominated by students from other universities in the state. We have done a lot of work at MSUSA this year.� The association's bylaws will change, effective July 1, ensuring better representation for all of us.� We successfully lobbied national political leaders for increases in Pell Grants, Perkins Loans and other grants and loans that help underrepresented students.�We have a successful tuition freeze program running now where we have gotten bipartisan and bicameral support to keep higher education affordable.
We could not have done this alone.�This work was done because many of us communicated and collaborated with other students in the state.�We did not get mad and "take our toys and go home."�
We talk about ethics. I have asked myself for over a year now about the ethics behind the MSUSA referendum. We are bound by state statute to MSUSA. I openly questioned the legality of a poorly worded referendum question that asks the students to violate state statutes.
Secondly, should that have not been a democratic process? Why did�Student Government run the election, campaign for leaving MSUSA, and count the votes?� Student Government should have remained neutral on the issue and actually let the students decide, instead of manipulating them. We see kiosks everyday in Atwood, oftentimes Democracy Matters had fair and clean elections materials.�I guess�former�SGA President�Lawrence has never seen any of those materials. And yet I am unethical?
Since we are in the habit of questioning one's intentions, we must question those of Nick Hanson.� If you read the bylaws for the University Chronicle, you will find that his duties are to supervise and delegate.�Does Hanson not trust the band of writers from the University Chronicle? It would appear as though Hanson�is�assigning the hot stories to himself and not developing the outstanding young writers�of the University Chronicle.��
I am honored to serve the students of this state.�MSUSA has made great strides this year with the help of a hardworking staff and students throughout the state.�We have a tremendous opportunity here to benefit students here at SCSU and throughout the state, we should celebrate and focus on that, and not National Enquireresque journalism.
Hal Kimball
Student Government President
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