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The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

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Nelson resignation not surprising

I just never expected to be VP of MSA,” Gina Nelson said after hearing that she and Eric Dyer won the Minnesota Student Association election, held April 4. Her prediction came true last month when she resigned from her short-lived position as MSA vice president.

Although Nelson said she wants to pursue her academic goals, which include becoming a teacher and not pursuing politics, it is likely she has additional non-stated reasons for relinquishing her post. But whatever Nelson’s true reasons, there has not been, nor will be, a student outcry over her resignation, which, for many, just symbolizes what they already believe – MSA is not that worthwhile an organization.

Credited by some as the popular sidekick who helped Dyer gain 31 percent of the small MSA-turnout vote, Nelson played the festive campaigner, rooting for her team in the active pre-election campaign. In light of her resignation, we’re left to believe Nelson never wanted the job that much in the first place. As a MSA Forum

member, she knew the time commitment and responsibilities the vice president position entailed. In deciding to run, the senior also should have known her forthcoming academic commitments and goals.

With her past experience in MSA, Nelson should have had serious motivations for seeking a higher position. Instead it appears she either didn’t give serious forethought to running or must not have given much credence to a leadership role in MSA.

One can’t really blame Nelson for resigning from an organization that many students view as fairly worthless. Despite being charged with the role of divvying up and setting student fees and advocating to the University on behalf of students, MSA is often known for only being good at spending student money and practicing infighting. It is unfortunate that MSA leadership – who heralded MSA’s potential during the election – also does not consider MSA of high importance, regarding Forum membership only of value to politician wanna-bes.

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