Chonnam National University (CNU) will hold its 22nd presidential election on Sept. 25. During this event the CNU community will choose a leader who will steer the university for the next four years. In advance of this momentous occasion, it is important to consider, what is the role of the university president? According to CNU’s statutes, the president controls university business in general and serves as the university’s chief representative. However, due to this inherent abstractness of this provision, students cannot easily realize how much the president influences their lives on campus and, accordingly, their futures. This disconnect is therefore responsible for a degree of apathy relating to the presidential election. This time, the Chonnam Tribune is looking into the concrete roles of the university president and the importance of this election for students, introducing the ongoing election campaign.

The Presidential Election Timeline

The period for presidential candidate registration was from Sept. 9 to 10. A total of four candidates have registered: Song Jin-kyu (School of Architecture), Kim Jaekook (School of Materials Science and Engineering), Han Eun-mi (School of Chemical Engineering) and Lee Keun-bae (Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery). The election campaign runs from Sept. 11 to 24. During this time, the candidates have been conducting election campaigns to gain support from voters. According to the CNU rules, the Recommendation Committee for Presidential Appointment Committee must hold one joint speech session and at least three public debates during the campaign period.

The joint speech session took place on Sept. 11 at Minjumaru. The first and second public debates were held the following day at Yongbong Hall, targeting the colleges and graduate schools on CNU’s Gwangju Campus. The third public debate was on Sept. 20 in the Biomedical Education & Information Building’s Grand Auditorium on the Hwasun Campus. The final, fourth public debate is scheduled for Sept. 23 at University-Industry Research Center’s International Conference Hall on the Yeosu Campus. The election for the CNU’s 22nd President is set for Sept. 25.

Dissolving Boundaries Between Autonomy and Legality

The president should exercise legally permissible authority, striving to enhance the university’s autonomy without bowing to external pressures. Yeom Min-ho (Professor, Dept. of Education) explained the role of the university president as a two-track approach. “CNU is a flagship national university where all issues are dealt with according to legal strictures, especially overarching laws regulating national university education.” He mentioned that the president has a right to regulate and utilize university finances, select personnel, make decisions, and revise university rules within the context of their statutory authority. Yang Chaeyeol (Professor, Faculty of Business Administration) said, “Given the president’s special position and mission in university society, I came to the conclusion that the president needs to help the university encourage enlightenment by promoting scholars’ sense of duty. The most significant thing for the president is to enable the university to lay an institutional and physical foundation where scholars can contribute to society through study, education, and service.”

Meanwhile, the university, contrary to its original mandate and defined role, is basically pursuing autonomy. “All values that universities regard as important, including study, education, and service, are not explicitly stipulated, but rather are based on freedom. For this reason, a professor elected as the president should fill the void with what they have experienced and learned.” The role of the president is to exercise their powers as prescribed by law in pursuit of higher values beyond that which envisioned by statues and regulations.

Requirements for the New President

The Tribune called on student voters to discuss their expectations of the new president ahead of the election. Park Jin-soo (Sophomore, Dept. of Philosophy) said, “I want the new president to actively participate in the planning of academic conferences held by each college in mutual collaboration.” He also talked about the immense responsibility required of the president. “A person who looks for work to be done, does it, and does not quit until they’ve succeeded is the person who should be president.”

Chu Ga-heun (Senior, School of Polymer Science and Engineering) said, “I want the new president to arrange various programs for local university students, which help students increase their competitiveness.” Regarding the president’s qualifications, she emphasized the spirit of service. “The next president should help students to achieve their dreams at CNU.”

Ayjari Luna Joselyn Cielo (Freshman, School of Mechanical Engineering, Peru) said, “It is necessary that the campus remains inclusive considering the growing influx of international students at CNU. The president should lead initiatives to enhance cultural understanding by fostering interaction between international and local students.”

Expanding Students’ Voting Rights

This year, the General Student Council has tried to introduce a direct presidential election system for students and increase the student representation rate in the presidential election. During the last election, the student vote was weighted at 2 percent of the faculty vote. From this election, it has been increased to 10 percent. Professor Yeom judged this phenomenon positively. “It is great for students to take the initiative in their learning opportunities by electing their leader with their own hands. The weight of their votes should be increased.” If students pay attention to the election, candidates will present more student-oriented pledges. That is why abiding interest and participation from students is necessary. Students need to verify candidates and compare each one, judging who will be the proper choice to lead the CNU members. 

By Choi Daniel, Editor