In September, 11 women were nominated for the 2013 Homecoming Court. They are all members of social clubs.
These nominees deserve our congratulations. However, the overall population of women on campus is not being represented.
First, the accomplishments of the nominees should not be downplayed. They invest their time in university organizations. They are successful, well-liked and good representatives of ACU. They all deserve the honor.
However, many successful women on this campus who are not social club members also deserve the chance to walk onto the field at Shotwell wearing a pretty dress. But they did not receive a nomination.
Only 25 percent of women on campus are in an ACU social club. This means three-fourths of the female population on campus is not represented by the Homecoming Court.
Women who are members of social clubs have a better chance of getting nominated by their club sisters. In the past, social clubs have practiced block voting and campaigning. However, the Homecoming Committee has asked students to avoid using these tactics to make the voting process fair.
For seniors from other areas of campus to be nominated they will have to be backed by other members of the student body.
If other groups, like Big Purple or the Office of Multicultural Enrichment, got behind a nominee the Homecoming Court might be a more accurate representation of social diversity on campus.
Some of the trouble arises from a lack of participation from students in the nomination and voting process. It is up to the students to nominate seniors who they believe deserve to wear a crown. Once the nominees are chosen, the student body has the responsibility of voting.
Remember, the Homecoming Court nominees and the future queen are representatives of the university. When selecting a potential queen there are several things to be considered.
To deserve a nomination, candidates must be involved on campus. They must be performing well academically. They should be representatives of their social group as well as the university as a whole.
Each of the current nominees is worthy of being crowned as the 2013 Homecoming Queen. But seniors who are involved in other groups and activities on campus should also have the chance to vie for the crown.
