The easiest decisions are the ones with no other options. This was, for the most part, the predicament for Tulane students at 9 a.m. on March 7, when they received an email with a link to vote for the 2016-17 Undergraduate Student Government Executive Board. Six separate positions comprise this board. The only problem, though, was that there were just eight candidates.

Three of the eight candidates competed for the position of USG President, a highly coveted title which necessitated high-profile campaigns. Every other Executive Board hopeful enjoyed the luxurious stroll that is an unopposed election. Sure, technically voters had the chance to abstain or provide a write-in candidate, but the results showed these alternative options were mostly ignored.

While there is no fault or lack of qualification in the candidates who ran unopposed, the bare ballots raise questions of the system in place. Each individual was already familiar with the student government protocol, having held roles on various action committees in previous years and maybe that is the problem.

At some point in the process, students with valuable ideas are not being roped into pursuing the positions that will make them heard. The current structure of USG rewards those who joined early and, through a succession of lesser roles, are groomed to serve on the Executive Board. Those not already holding USG positions may be less likely to run.

It’s not about the positions you held but the ideals you hold. To serve the interests of the student body, one does not need a cookie cutter track record of student government experience. Tulane’s USG should be encouraging new voices with fresh ideas to run, because only then, when the 8,339 students have a choice in all their future leaders, can we ensure our interests are protected.