Interference by administration and teachers in The Columbus School in STUCO elections has become more frequent over the years. This has created split opinions across the student community.

For many years now the school administration and teachers have kicked out many STUCO representatives and candidates who don’t fulfil their requirements. This has created controversy because many students think their right to vote is being perpetrated. On the other hand, many students think that if the candidates don’t fulfil this standards they should not be able to run for STUCO.

“I believe the school is interfering with the elections because they believe that maybe if you’re not the best student or you’re not a role model in their opinion, even if you are for others, you’ll not be able to accomplish your job,” Jose Manuel Uribe, 12th grade student and former 10th grade STUCO, said.

Apart from this, Uribe thinks if you get chosen as STUCO it’s because others trust you and your proposals.

“That should not be their decision because elections are made up by students, by your partners, and if they want you to do this job it’s because maybe they trust you,” Uribe said.

Because of this, he believes that the school administration or teachers should not be involved with this decisions.

“I believe the school should not be able to kick you out of this position if they are not responsible and they are not voting,” Uribe said.

On the other hand, Juan Felipe Gaviria, current 11th grade STUCO, thinks the school has the right choose who is capable and who isn’t of doing this job.

“I think that if you’re going to run for STUCO you have to show some type of commitment, and the school shouldn’t allow students that don’t show commitment on the campaigns to be part of the elections,” Juan Felipe Gaviria, 11th grade student and STUCO, said.

Gaviria believes students who do not take their responsibilities seriously or do not fulfil requirements should be removed as candidates.

“I think if the decision is well based and fundamented they are doing a good job,” Gaviria said.

Unlike Gaviria, Uribe took a tenacious position and stated that a STUCO works for the students, not for the teachers. This is why their opinion should not affect elections.

“If your proposals are not liked by teachers it doesn’t matter because we’re part of the students and we’re fighting for students’ rights and things for students, we’re not at the side of the teachers. So they should not be able to take you down if they’re not electing you,” Uribe said.