From the ousting of former University President Jim Ryan, to President Trump's Compact for Excellence in Higher Education, to a presidential search which continued despite overwhelming student, faculty and staff opposition, the past year has been filled with challenges for the University community. At every juncture of uncertainty, student leaders are tasked with continuing the proud history of student self-governance by ensuring students play an active role in shaping the future of this University. The choice to speak up in the face of authority is not an easy one, but one that is critical for what it means to be a good student leader. Micah Andrews is the only candidate for Student Council president who has demonstrated a vision of student self-governance that prioritizes student voices and a willingness to speak out, even when it may be difficult.
At a time when our nation is engaged in heinous acts abroad and increasing authoritarianism at home, we should look back at the University’s history to see how students can protect each other. In 1970, during the height of President Richard Nixon’s expanding war in Vietnam, the horrific killing of student protestors at Kent State University sent universities reeling across the nation. In a speech delivered to a mob of almost 4,000 students, faculty and staff protestors gathered on the Lawn, University President Edgar Shannon famously stood with student protestors. This turning point in University history was far from inevitable though — it was the result of remarkable leadership from Student Council President James Roebuck. With the University on the brink of chaos, Roebuck emulated what it meant to truly stand up for students, no matter how uncomfortable it made administrators or politicians.
When Student Council resolutions debated calling for the University to end defense-related research, cut ties with the ROTC, increase Black enrollment to 20 percent and admit women to the University, it was Roebuck that cast the deciding ballot. Then, as now, it was critically important for the Student Council president to show true moral courage in their leadership and in-so-doing provide legitimacy to the demands drafted by student organizers. Absent Roebuck’s pressure campaign, executed in partnership with student organizers, Shannon likely would not have joined his students in opposing the war in Vietnam or used his office to lay the groundwork for increasing the enrollment of Black students at the University. Much like Roebuck, Andrews recognizes the enormously important role Student Council can play during moments in which students safety is threatened — that of a megaphone which forces those in power to actually listen to students. Andrews has demonstrated her commitment to using that megaphone, and every other tool at her disposal, to advocate for her constituents. Learning from those previous crises, students must ask one critical question when deciding on the next Student Council President — “Who will speak up for me?”
Micah Andrews and Michael Mitchell have no shortage of experience in Student Council, and both are dedicated to ensuring its financial security. However, only Andrews is willing to speak up for students when it matters most.
When the Board of Visitors collaborated with the federal government to force Jim Ryan out of office and subsequently limited students’ role in the selection of a new president, Andrews worked with current Student Council President Clay Dickerson to write the Executive Board’s statement denouncing the event for the disgrace that it was. Later that fall, when students were denied meaningful representation on the search committee for a new president, Andrews worked to ensure students’ outrage was expressed in the form of resolution SR25-23, “A Resolution Declaring No Confidence in the University of Virginia Board of Visitors.” While Andrews served as the driving force amplifying student opinion, Mitchell remained silent — he was the only member of the Student Council’s Executive Board not to support the measure.
Public pronouncements of student dissatisfaction from Student Council are not simply performative, these statements apply real pressure to administrators, force state legislators to conduct more active oversight and signal the potential Student Council has to serve as the spearhead of a revitalized student movement — the type of movement we need to protect each other. Throughout a year littered with blatant disregard from the Board of Visitors and the administration for students’ perspective, Andrews has ensured that student voices continue to be heard — Andrews has chosen leadership and Mitchell has chosen silence.
Our choices in this crucial moment in history will be remembered by students to come much as we now remember the choices of Roebuck and Shannon. When you cast your vote, we urge you to consider which candidate has exemplified the outspokenness that defined Roebuck’s tenure as Student Council President. We cannot afford to have student leaders who refuse to lead. We deserve a Student Council president willing to stand up for us, especially when it is difficult — that president is Micah Andrews.
Sarah Ahmad is a fourth-year College student, and Eli Weinger is a second-year Master of Public Policy candidate. They can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.
The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Cavalier Daily. Columns represent the views of the authors alone.
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