Feature: "Joke candidates" are no laughing matter

By Connor Hayes     2/10/11 6:00pm

Martel College seniors Erik Tanner and Daniel Hays entered the Student Association presidential debate Monday night as "joke candidates," allowed to participate in the forum for their comedic value over their presidential merits. As the debate came to an end and candidates were afforded the opportunity to give a closing statement, Tanner and Hays turned to a more serious tone, offering thoughtful remarks on the state of the university. "There's something amazing at this university - there's a bold, irreverent and funny nature to it, and there's a freedom here that doesn't exist anywhere else," Tanner began. "Unfortunately, that side is starting to die for us - that spirit is starting to wane."

The main goal for Tanner and Hays at the debate was not to make a mockery of the SA, nor was it to get a few laughs. Instead, it was to challenge students to stand up against the alleged cultural changes taking place inside the hedges. They continued their closing statement by issuing a challenge to the current student body.

"Keep fighting. Don't let this place become boring. Take a stand against the direction this administration has been taking toward emulating Ivy Leagues, emulating other schools. We want you to demand that we are Rice University and that we do not become the Harvard of the South," Hays said.

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An intrigued student audience applauded their statement with a standing ovation. In a year marred by campus issues related to both administrative disconnect and student apathy, Hays' words resonated.

Although the candidates are relative newcomers to Rice's political scene, they have a history of stirring up trouble across campus and pulling pranks, especially during Willy Week.

"Our sophomore year, we came up with this idea to replace all of the bike seats at Will Rice [College] with dildos," recalled Tanner. "We went and bought a dildo and had to make plaster molds because, it turns out, those things are very expensive. Eventually we had a dildo sweatshop in our room and made hundreds of dicks. We went to Will Rice and replaced all of the bike seats with dicks. That was sort of the start of our irreverence."

This sort of foolishness is part of what the duo hopes to inspire in underclassmen who might be unfamiliar with how important traditions are to Rice's "quirky" culture. Hays, lamenting the recent decline in the popularity of events like Baker 13, aired his frustration.

"When was the last time you saw a big turnout for Baker 13? That's an indication of this cultural change. If nobody does or says anything, Rice is going to be an environment where if you came up with an idea like Baker 13, Willy Week or what we're doing, it would be squashed by the administration. We're not at this point yet, but if no one steps their game up, it'll change."

When asked what his experience with the SA had been before this election, Tanner described a group that has fallen short of expectations.

"I haven't been affected by any positive action that the SA has taken, but the inaction and the being asleep at the wheel is almost negligent. They're not sticking up for us. Rice is undergoing a serious change right now and, as Daniel puts it, this is now a research institution that happens to teach. The SA should have tried to stop that."

Hays also aired his frustrations with the recent inaction of the SA.

"There should have been more collaboration between students and the administration. The SA could have put on a little more pressure during events like the BCM merger and the KTRU sale. If anything, they should try to find ways to get the students fired up about these things."

While their candidacy raises important questions about student life and movement away from Rice's unique culture, students would essentially be throwing away their vote if they decide to write in Tanner and Hays, since they are ineligible for the office due to their status as graduating seniors.

"In a literal sense they are throwing their vote away because we can't win," explained Tanner in a later interview. "We know that, but we're trying to send a message."

The message that Tanner and Hays hope to send is not just directed at the students and the administration, but also to the current and future members of the SA. Hays continued by describing what the future SA president could do to improve these recent shortcomings.

"I would like to see them make the culture of Rice the focus and have them make an effort to educate people about what the culture used to be like. I think there are steps [the future SA] could take to make the student body excited about wacky things again."

In short, Tanner's belief is that members of the SA should be more focused on student needs.

"The business of the SA is far too important to be left to someone who takes the SA seriously. That's why we're doing this; we're trying to tell people that there's another way to do things."

Tanner related his feelings on the recent changes on Rice's campus to those of Ed Rendell, the governor of Pennsylvania, who spoke out after a Philadelphia Eagles football game was postponed due to inclement weather this December.

"That guy said, 'we're turning into a nation of wusses.' It's kind of like that at Rice. These traditions pose risks, but [students] have to have judgment not to get hurt and not to abuse their freedom. At the same time, that freedom really needs to exist."

Barring a write-in upset, either Lovett College junior Georgia Lagoudas or Sid Richardson College junior Adrianne Waddell will win the SA presidency. Tanner and Hays are hopeful that the winner will consider the issues that they have raised, with Tanner going so far as to note that the SA should be a body that is willing to fight the administration.

"It seems like the SA has been in bed with the administration and not willing to stand up to them, which is what they should be there for."

The idea that two students who once had a self-proclaimed "dildo sweatshop" in their Martel room might one day run for SA president seems unlikely, yet Tanner and Hays have used humor to bring serious attention to campus-wide issues. The goal wasn't necessarily to win the election, but instead to start a discussion about changes in student life. Thus, those who choose to write in the duo are sending a strong message to the SA and the Rice community. According to Tanner and Hays, writing them in might be a literal waste of a vote, but it is certainly not a waste of a voice.

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