In the midst of tuition fee struggle's coming to an end, HUFSans' concern about electing next university president is gradually reaching the climax.
With the termination of the office of Cho Kyu-chul, the incumbent university president, each constituent expresses their opinions. The election season has come at last.
Like other universities, HUFS also needs an excellent university president. Maybe it steps up HUFSans more seriously. Because university president's role is very important under the government-appointed trustee system. Therefore, we think this screening of candidates for university presidents should proceed thoroughly.
Up to now, our university has elected the university presidents through the way the board of directors screen and approve some candidates recommended by Faculty Council.
It is said that such a way has been applied to the election of a university president for a long time.
However, Staff Union insists that they participate in this election since they are also constituent of HUFS. They stood on some reasons such as democratic procedure, and harmonious relationship among constituents.
The incumbent university president also seems to support Staff Union by bringing up this issue for discussion at the board of trustees.
Ultimately it is, of course, desirable that three bodies of university- professors, students and staff- take part in electing university president. But we judge that it is rather premature for Staff Union to participate in this election.
First, we can't help considering the day of election. The incumbent university president's office expires at the end of August. That is, at this time the election day is near at hand, new group's participation may cause a possibility of confusion at the coming election.
Specifically Staff Union suggested that a group involving themselves would make a committee for electing some candidates for the university president and then, the committee would discuss the issue.
Still, it is impossible for the committee to take many steps for electing candidates within only a few months.
Second, if Staff Union participates in presidential election, the Student body should also take part in it simultaneously.
The Staff Union should prepare for participating in the presidential election together with the Student Association.
In relation to this issue, we'd like to point out that Staff Union is now reserving definite expression of their position concerning the problems on building new foundation.
Last year, when our campus was seething with foundation problems, only Staff Union didn't clarify their position about the Kim Clan's participation. Such an obscure action caused other constituents except Staff Union to distrust them.
Staff Union needs to clearly express their views on it before their participation in presidential election because such a obscure attitude can be another cause of conflict.
We make it clear that next university president should be a person that can contribute to development of our university.
In addition, we also urge that Faculty Council should make efforts for finding a way of electing university president reflecting all of HUFSans' thinking.