... THE SUN ENDORSES RAY MENSAH ’11.

With any candidate for executive vice president, managerial and organizational experience is vital. A smoothly run Student Assembly results from an organized and persistent executive vice president. Ray Mensah gained such experience through serving as chair of the Cornell Republicans, among other leadership positions he held in high school and at Cornell University. The knowledge and organizational skills gained from chairing the Cornell Republicans is invaluable. Setting up meetings, bringing guest speakers to campus and allocating a significant budget have primed Mensah for the managerial and organizational work he will face as executive vice president. We are confident he will not be daunted by this often frantic and time consuming job.

In addition, Mensah’s persistence is unmatched, as he has attended every single Student Assembly meeting this academic year, despite not being an S.A. representative. His consistent attendance is indicative of his passion for, and commitment to, the S.A.

Mensah’s accurate conception of the scope of the S.A. is important for an executive vice president; too often, the S.A. has become bogged down in issues outside of its jurisdiction, rather than focusing on improving student life using legislative actions within its authority and capability to enact. As a member of the Student Assembly Committee on Residential and Community Life, one of the S.A.’s most active and successful committees of late, Mensah displayed his ability to work with a team of diverse individuals to achieve true progress toward clearly defined goals.

Mensah’s platform includes innovative, necessary ideas such as an independent judicial organization to provide an unbiased interpretation of the S.A. charter and act as a watchdog for issues like conflicts of interest among representatives to the S.A. Additionally, the independent judicial organization will improve the process for groups wishing to appeal their allocation of the Student Activity Fee. This eye towards reforming the primary legislative student body on campus is not only welcome, but necessary for the S.A. to remain a relevant asset to its constituents throughout Cornell’s ongoing transition period.