When a person is elected to office, she makes an agreement with the students to serve them honestly.
Muncie Police reported Student Government Association Vice President Olufunmbi Elemo was cited for minor consumption Sunday morning at a party at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house.
She does not deny she was at the party. She denies that she was cited, though police said she presented her Ball State ID.
In the event Elemo was not cited, or not drinking, she should come forward and explain why what the police have reported is wrong. Simply denying the report does not show the students that the police have made a mistake.
If Elemo was drinking Saturday night at the Lambda Chi house, she broke the law.
However, students are forgiving. Making a mistake and owning up to it would show the individual's true character. The mistake might tarnish Elemo's reputation, but denying its occurrence leaves a permanent mark.
SGA members are college students. They make choices and live their lives like other college students. They are also leaders and role models, and balancing these roles might seem tedious or restrictive. But no one made Elemo run for office. She chose to take a leadership position. That demands honesty to the students she represents. Students rely on SGA to be their voice to administrators and university governing bodies. They deserve a voice that is honest to students.
If Elemo was cited Sunday morning, students should trust SGA to take the appropriate action. She should also not be exempt from any university action because of her title. If Elemo chose to act like any other student Saturday night, she should be treated as such.
SGA meets Wednesday. Senators and executive board members should decide how to handle this situation immediately. Elemo should provide evidence to clear her name.
Students need strong representation more than ever. They cannot afford to have their only voice quieted by its internal conflicts.
Elemo and SGA need to put the students first. That is what students elected them to do.
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