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Undergraduate Council of Students President Mark Naughton ’12 announced that UCS will sponsor a popularity contest this fall open to all undergraduates.
“We spend so much time trying to be popular,” wrote Naughton in an email to the student body. “We change our profile pictures, flatter one another, work out and dress well — all to impress other people in an insatiable quest for affirmation. It’s about time we stop and take a moment to recognize that person at the top of our social hierarchy.”
Several nominees have announced that they will campaign actively for “Most Popular,” including Kim Freeman ‘12 and Jessica Edwards ’12. “Kim and Jessica are both really popular,” commented Sarah Walters ’13. “Kim’s so pretty, and Jessica is gorgeous too.”
Nicholas Willis ’15 is the only member of his class to have announced he will seek the title, and Professor of Political Science Jennifer Lawless suggests he can win if he can make his campaign about freshman unity without alienating too many sophomores. “Nick is really cute,” offered a cautiously optimistic Erin Carter ’15.
President Ruth Simmons expects to remain neutral in the popularity contest but refuses to categorically rule out an endorsement.
There will be no candidate debates, but USC has announced plans for an online discussion forum where students can anonymously discuss who is the most popular. “I’m glad UCS is giving us space for public discussion,” said Allison Sloatsberg ‘12. “I have a lot of opinions about who I like and don’t like and not enough opportunities to express them.”
