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Should ASCIT BoD members have their names attached to their votes?
This question came up in last week’s BoD meeting. To my surprise, some BoD members were against it. What’s wrong with recording an official’s stance on the issues?

The Pavlovian response to this question is, “Why change what works?” Unfortunately for some BoD members, that braindead question has an easy answer. Someone- an enthusiastic Secretary, say- wants to take down the extra information. How can you object to someone wanting more work?

Now you’re forced to backtrack into murky waters of political science. Here’s an argument: maybe you’ll be pressured into voting one way or another because your “constituents” don’t like the way you vote.

Without getting into any intricate political science theories, I’d say there’s nothing wrong with having constituents dislike the way you vote. Stand up for your vote, but if everyone is against you, you’re probably forgetting something important. Caltech students are smart.

I’m out of arguments for the opposing side, and so, apparently, were the relevant BoD members. Now let’s move on to why attaching names to votes is a good thing: accountability.

I want to know who flip-flops, who’s as stubborn as an ox, and who follows a consistent set of principles when they make decisions.

I want to know who voted for creating a spectacular new event, and then refused to help get it done. I don’t want to have to go to every single BoD meeting to figure these things out.

If BoD members feels pressured to vote a certain way because their names are attached, what sorts of things would they say and support if they had no fear of repercussion?

I’m curious which votes would have different outcomes. I don’t think anyone on the BoD is a morally depraved criminal, but what if a certain house wanted funding, and a BoD member in the house was stuck in the awkward, uncomfortable situation of having to vote on it? Should they vote for ASCIT, which they serve for one year, or the house, which they must face for four years plus every Caltech reunion?

It’s sticky, but I don’t think hiding the truth helps.
After all, I only want the best ASCIT BoD I can get.

Sarah Marzen
News Editor

Marissa Cevallos
Editor-in-Chief