A Student's Critique of SAC
And Possible Reforms
An Open Community Discussion Group
Introduction
Is democracy in SAC really the answer? The entirety of grade 10 has been discussing the merits and demeanor of this year’s SAC and its relative ineffectiveness. In truth, there is quite some truth in what the students are saying. To give an accurate critique, SAC this year was, compared to the SAC of last year, an ineffective democracy that was elected on basis of school popularity and entirely inefficient in planning, execution, and revision. In the end, it boiled down to a few students running for a “leadership” position just for the merit of putting the title on their resumes.
The solution to this problem as advised by a colleague would be to construct a higher council of three students per grade that would work above SAC, whom would be subject to school budget and professional authority but would be elected by solely the teachers. Note that SAC and its democratic elections will not be abolished; the author is simply adding an organization in charge of SAC. Effectively, SAC would become the executive branch of the newly coined “prefect system”. By implementing an oligarchic system above SAC that is subject to only staff and the school budget, the newly formed SAC and its contemporaries would be greatly efficient in the creation of events for students to enjoy. Allowing the teachers to nominate their chosen would allow many teachers to have an indirect voice in SAC and would ensure that the elected would be only those who are capable and willing to take the burden of their title.
This proposal will cover three sections: the motivation for this project and need of change in SAC, the project summary, and the project details. The project details will cover architecture, implementation, and the project’s deliverables/expected results.
Motivation
To understand the root of SAC’s ineffectiveness, we must understand why this year’s SAC was inefficient. The problem lies in the election process foremost; the election process is flawed, incredibly so. It is simply a glorified popularity contest disguised as a democratic vote meant to emulate an autonomous election within Canada. Because it is a popularity contest, SAC’s election process is therefore invariably flawed; those deserving and capable of bearing these titles often lose, while some more popular yet undeserving take the spotlight.
Historically, SAC positions at Glenforest have been held by students that work towards bringing popular events and change throughout the school. However, the relative success of SAC has always been dependent on one incredible detail, and that is the motivation of the elected students in office. Oftentimes, a grade will appear where the elected are gifted, accomplished, and driven students, which results in SAC’s incredible success. One must only look at SAC last year to procure an example. However, this is not always the case. While the author means no offense, the SAC that took office this year were a group of individuals who won solely because the election process was a glorified popularity contest and nothing more. While there are caveats and certain well known individuals who upheld their office, the truth is that SAC this year did not do their positions justice.
This fluctuation in the capability of students often leads to instability in the effectiveness of SAC. One year a group of talented and inspired individuals will take charge of the student population, bringing about a great school year, one that is incredible enjoyable. The other extreme is a situation similar to the dilemma that occurred this year. While there are certainly caveats and a middle ground between these two extremes, the truth is that the election process is much too similar to a popularity competition than an actual election and thus ineffective in choosing those who are truly capable. Are there certain exceptions? Yes, but do these exceptions oft occur? The answer is a flat no.
The prefect system, as the student is proposing, is used in many schools worldwide. The prefect system has many different forms, but the system usually retains a few unchanging characteristics. First, the nomination of potential prefects is made by the teachers based on the academic and extracurricular achievements of the nominee. Second, the prefects hold elevated power over school activities and events and work above a student elected SAC. Third, the title of prefect is a position of privilege and power, which potentially corrupts. Prefects are reminded that absolute power is in essence evil and that their positions can be taken away if necessary and that their elevated position is only a privilege.
Project Summary
This project is meant to increase the efficiency of SAC through a radical change in policies. By adding a teacher-nominated prefect system henceforth called the Prefect Council which works above SAC and exercise absolute power inhibited only by teacher veto, the efficiency of SAC would be greatly increased. Note that the democratic election process of SAC will not be changed; what the author suggests to do is for a prefect system to established above SAC, with the power to make decisions and planning transferred to the prefects. This would effectively make SAC an executive branch of the prefect system, one that assists in the actualization of events but are not in charge of making decisions. Through this system, capable, driven, and intelligent students will be nominated to make the decisions and plan events while retaining a democratic election process (SAC and its subordinates).
Project Details: Architecture and Environment
Implementation of this project will be undertaken by school staff and their contemporaries. In order for this project to succeed, the implementation of this system must be made public to the students and done quickly to ease the transition of power from SAC to the prefects.
The nomination process of potential prefects will be determined by the teachers and administrative staff. Invariably, there are constants that every prefect election must follow. The process for the election and nomination of prefects is listed below:
- After substantial evidence of academic achievement as a minimal baseline, the admin and the staff will nominate 9 potential prefects to serve in each grade.
- A supplementary application will then be sent to each of these applicants. After completion, the staff and admin will the eliminate three nominees and allow six to remain.
- Elections shall be held, with each grade electing three nominees to serve as prefects for their grade. After elections, Grade 12 and 11 prefects will be deemed senior prefects and are responsible for making decisions; Grade 9 and 10 students will be deemed junior prefects and will be responsible for advising, voting, and debating legislature.
These elections will happen during the usual SAC election. With the election of SAC, the prefects will thus have an executive branch of government in order to make projects and events a reality.
The nomination criteria of prefects will be malleable and subject to debate and revision. However, some universal nomination requirements must be followed to ensure the election of the competent. The advised nomination criteria are:
• A minimal academic average of 85%
• Involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities
• Substantial community involvement (volunteering, etc.)
• A satisfactory a supplementary application, which will be posted on Google forms
• Teacher nomination of applicant.
• An interview held by the admin to determine applicant skill
• Final elections to be held by students
Certain responsibilities will be given to prefects, as they oversee planning events and making sure events run smoothly. As a school prefect, a weight of extreme responsibility will rest on the student’s shoulders. The events that the student body enjoys and sometimes take for granted is entrusted to the prefect’s hands. Students will often look up to prefects and ask for their advice or admonishment. Thus, the way prefects act and their conduct will affect school life. Thus, there are a multitude of responsibilities a prefect must shoulder. Inability to follow these regulations will result in a prefect having his or her title stripped.
Prefects are expected to:
• Observe school rules always.
• Be dressed appropriately at all times and to follow the dress code.
• Sustain an outstanding attendance record. Sick days will be accounted for if a prefect notifies the admin of their ailment through their parents.
• Maintain punctuality, both to the deadlines of events and projects and to prefect/SAC meetings.
• Be positive, enthusiastic, and helpful to the student body
• Exhibit leadership qualities: Confidence, initiative, and problem solving skills
• Be eager to shoulder extra responsibility
• Display excellent self-regulation and independently work without teacher supervision
• Maintain an excellent academic record.
• Become an outstanding ambassador of the school.
Prefect hierarchy will be a frequently asked question. Regarding SAC’s new hierarchy, the newly formed government will follow a simple format. The Legislative branch, in which the creation and planning of events will occur, will be shifted to the Prefect Council. SAC, its leading council, and its contemporaries will be the executive branch where the actualization of events and projects takes place. The flow chart shown below will demonstrate the decision-making process and the hierarchy of the new system.
1.
Project Details: Implementation and Summary
There will be a multitude of issue that may occur during the implementation of this process. While not these issues may occur, it is always best to assume and prepare for the worst. A variety of problems may occur during the application of this reform, ranging from appeals of an undemocratic selection system to uninhibited misuse of power to the implementation of such a system itself. Below is a detailed explanation of many potential issues that may occur during the actualization of these problems.
The greatest issue with this project is that many in the school may not be willing to make such a change. A sudden change from a traditional point of view and an old way of doing things often does not sit well amongst both the staff and the student. Change, from a democratic point of view, is an unstable force that brings both benefits and detriments to the recipient. Oftentimes, this change may not be accepted by the students of the school and the staff as well. It is difficult to change after embracing a method that has been proven to be effective and is traditional. However, it is not easy to imagine how one would change the system. The author understands this, but begs the reader to see reason. It is difficult to change; however, this is not a complete overhaul of the school electoral system. SAC and the elections for the students still exists, albeit in another fashion. SAC will not be disbanded; they will merely be working under a new group of supervisors. The electoral system still stands, with even the Prefects being bound to a democratic system. There is in general not a large amount of change, only what is necessary to increase SAC’s effectiveness. To allay student fears and trepidation, after the project’s possible approval by the administration a PowerPoint demonstration will be presented to the students to address their concerns.
The undemocratic system of the new SAC will possibly be hotly debated by the students and will be used as an argument against this reform. Many will think that having teacher elected nominees as prefects will be a cause for favoritism and the erosion of democratic electoral rights. It is a point to be considered. How will teachers, staff, and the administration decrease bias and favoritism in the selection process? This is a sensitive topic, which often leads debates on the merits of the prefect system. The solution to this problem will be to decrease teacher favoritism and potential bias by adding stringent regulations to the nomination process that the staff and admin must follow. This decreases bias, as the teachers cannot just nominate their favorite student but must follow a strict code of ethics. If there is still concern with the system, rest assured; SAC and its democratic election process will remain, as they will merely be shifted to the executive branch of order. The students will be able to choose from the group of prefect nominees as their grade prefect.
One particular concern is that allowing the teachers to nominate certain students will make the legislative branch of SAC a puppet government of sorts constituted by the teachers. This is a valid issue. While SAC currently is more or less a puppet government run by the school administration, there is a valid point in exclaiming that this change would cause the students to lose power and the teachers to gain a disproportionate amount. This is indeed problematic. However, one solution to this problem is to ensure that teachers are not allowed to strip titles unless there is substantial evidence of the violation of prefect rules and duties. Consequently, no other change is needed. While a student elected SAC may take some liberties, and attempt to make liberal legislation, because the staff have a veto system they are still establishing their power. With this system, there are no changes; the damages it deals to student liberties are slim to none. Students can also submit their suggestions to an anonymous suggestion box directly to the prefects; this way, the student population will still have a voice.
A final concern is the misuse of power. With the prefects holding near absolute power in their field, one is bound to ask, “What limitations will you implement to prevent corruption”? To address this problem, the project will implement safeguards to prevent corruption. The first safeguard is obvious; teacher’s vetoes are the first line of defense. This natural safeguard disassembles any suspicious behavior in the Prefect Council. As they enter office, prefects will be required to swear that they are from the students and work solely for the students. They will also be reminded of the age-old aphorism: all power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Another solution is for the money management of the Prefect Council and SAC to be audited monthly. Through partnership with the school newspaper, the school’s public funds will be audited and showcased in a separate section of the school newspaper.
Project Details: Deliverables
This reform to SAC will accomplish a multitude of different tasks but the foremost tasks it aims to achieve is to increase SAC’s efficiency, to eliminate the electoral system of SAC as a glorified popularity contest, and to reform the electoral system such that it is an actual representation of the capability, intelligence, and drive of the students nominated. This streamlined process will also allow the decision-making process to be transparent and be given the scrutiny it needs intrinsically to be successful.
The electoral system reform will allow both the student population and the collective mind of the staff to choose a prefect whom they deem worthy and for the students to choose someone they think represents their interests. The new prefect system will allow the school to discover who is the most competent for the title of prefect and who will be both capable and willing to shoulder SAC’s burdens. The current SAC system will remain in place to become an executive branch of the Prefect Council, adding democracy to an unwise oligarchic system.
This reform is also aimed at streamlining the decision-making process to increase SAC’s overall efficiency. Because there is now a separate legislative branch (Prefect Council) and an executive branch (SAC), the decision-making process will become more logical and streamlined. With the decisions made, SAC can immediately start working on the needed event/reform. With the help of the Prefect Council, which will assist SAC as a part of the executive branch, the reform/event will be done with much greater efficiency.
The elimination of the “popularity contest” electoral system will aim to destroy any vestiges of tardiness in the elected Prefect Council. The nomination system will assure that the Prefect Council consists of hard-working, honest, and intelligent students ready to make a difference in their school. This will allow SAC to become much more independent and efficient, as those who are on the Council will inadvertently work to the advantage of the students.
Conclusion
With SAC’s current situation and its relative uselessness this year, it is necessary for a reform. With this unsightly situation and the electoral system being a mess of a glorified popularity contest, a new Prefect Council will be added to the decision-making process. These individuals, who are nominated by the staff on the merits of their academic and extracurricular abilities and then selected by the students, the efficiency of SAC will increase dramatically due to both quality leadership and a streamlined decision-making process. However, this is still only a proposal; there is yet to be any change in the system. As with all solutions, it is not a magic bullet to end all of SAC’s problems; however, it is the author’s sincerest wishes that you take into consideration these reforms. Thank you for your time.