IN 1923, A GROUP of student leaders came together to pool their vision and drive in order to give something back to the University of Florida.  Their organization:  Florida Blue Key.  Their idea:  Dad's Day.  Little did these campus standouts know that one day the small seed they planted would grow into a week-long, action-packed, million-dollar production we know today as Homecoming and Gator Growl, the largest student-run pep rally in the world.  Moreover, this group probably never would have imagined that their foundation would serve as the platform for future generations' expansion of the organization's original purpose. 

    With the addition of Florida Blue Key's Divisions, the organization opened up a whole new avenue to serve the University of Florida.  The Speaker's Bureau Debate Tournament attracts thousands of Florida's most outstanding high school debators to the University of Florida campus.  Without a doubt, the tournament serves an invaluable role in the University's recruitment process.  Through the Miss UF Scholarship Pageant, Florida Blue Key awards $3000 in scholarships to its contestants and sends one outstanding female student to represent the University of Florida in the Miss Florida Pageant and, potentially, the Miss America Pageant.  The Leadership Awards Division recognizes five outstanding incoming freshmen with $2000 in scholarships.  Legislative Day presents an opportunity for any University of Florida student to visit Tallahassee during the Legislative Session.  While there, attendees have the opportunity to visit with the Florida Supreme Court Justices, meet various state officials, tour the Governor's Mansion, and attend a barbecue at Dr. Stephen C. O'Connell's home.  Gatorally brings student together before the first Gator football game for a pep rally where they have the chance tp show their Fightin' Gator spirit and meet student athletes as well. 

    Florida Blue Key's presence in also felt in the local community.  The Service Division organizes projects with the Alachua county boy's and Girl's club, the Ronald McDonald House, and Habitat for Humanity.  Whether taking a group of children to a University of Florida baseball game or lending at hand a local emergency shelters, our members never shy away from the opportunity to help. 

    This listing of Florida Blue Key's contributions is by no means complete and cannot possibly account for the tens of thousands of hours that students volunteer in pursuit of Florida Blue Key's mission, serving the University of Florida.  Still, most people would be surprised that our organization is involved in even half of what I described.  The question remains:  how can an organization that does so much good be the subject of so much public scrutiny and ridicule?  This is the source of my frustration and the object of this exposition. 
 

    WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

    I must admit, this is a perplexing question for me, or at least it was until just recently.  The administration, is conducting open student forums, is exploring whether there exists a "relationship" between Florida Blue Key and Student government; and if so, how does this "relationship" affect access to Student Government positions?  The only relationship that Florida Blue Key has with Student Government is that some of its members run for and frequently win the highest student body offices.  The real issue lies elsewhere with the dreaded "Group System." 
 

    THE GROUP SYSTEM ON TRIAL

    The words "Group System" come up and everyone immediately screams about the evils of Florida Blue Key.  What they do not understand is that the Group System exist over and above Florida Blue Key; moreover, whether or not Florida Blue Key exists on this campus is immaterial to the continued dominance of the Group System.  The problem opponents of this Group System face is that there is no way to eliminate its existence lest people stop allowing its agenda to dominate organizations on campus.  It is the nature of the democratic society in which we live for people to band together in support of one common goal.  Majority rules, and winner takes all.  President Clinton is unlikely to reward Republican opposition with positions on his staff, yet I would wager that there are Republicans out there who are much more qualified than many of his appointments.  Can anyone imagine a Democratic president appointing a conservative to the United States Supreme Court?  Of course not.  Why then does it surprise anyone that after a student body election, the victors appoint people who supported and believe in them during their campaign as opposed to their bitter opposition? 

    I agree that this is not always fair, and sometimes the most qualified person might not get the job.  Right or wrong, that is politics, and the Group System is the political force behind these appointments, not Florida Blue Key.  Unfortunately, people look at Florida Blue Key as the embodiment of these groups.  Why?  There is no other direction in which to point a finger.  No one can wage a battle against an age-old system developed and maintained primarily by Greeks, as there is nothing wrong with organizing a group of people together to voice an opinion and have it represented by elected officials.  Why is Social Security a big issue for any politician?  Senior citizens go out and vote; in return for their efforts, they are a dominant force in the outcome of elections and their views are represented.  This type of organization is encouraged by society, yet this same activity is being lambasted at the University of Florida. 
 

    REALITY

    Those who speak so strongly against Florida Blue Key misdirect their anger, for in reality, Florida Blue Key is often a victim of and subject to the Group system.  As president, I encounter political hurdles every day.  In the end, I am merely a servant of every member of Florida Blue key.  They voted me in and they can vote me out.  Virtually every decision I make is subject to the will of the chapter.  I was elected in large part because the "Group System" supported me.  Does that make me unqualified to hold office?  Would I have been elected without its support?  Maybe, maybe not.  Would Bill Clinton have been elected if he were not a member of the Democratic Party, but instead an independent candidate? 

    To be elected to any post, you must have the support of some body larger than your own.  There are many way one can go about obtaining such support.  First, a candidate could promise appointments and use patronage to reward supporters.  This leads to a selfish mob caring only for what they can get for themselves and a severe lack of loyalty after that candidate's term expires.  Alternatively, a candidate could reach out for support by demonstrating an ability to lead and do the right thing no matter what the consequences.  Supporters remain loyal not because of any material benefit bestowed upon their person but rather because they are comforted by the knowledge that their elected leader will never sell out to the highest bidder or fall prey to the whims of political cronies and "Wannabees." 
 

    IT IS UP TO THE ELECTORATE TO CHOOSE THE INDIVIDUAL

    It is through the later tenet that I have found my support.  Every appointment I make is based squarely on qualifications.  My responsibility and loyalty is to Florida Blue Key and the University of Florida, not to any individual.  Whether Homecoming, Gator Growl, or Divisions directors, I rest easy at night knowing that there is no one I would rather have in any position under me than those who I appointed.  After all, I did not sit through hours of interviews evaluating applicants to later appoint some political lacky to any official post. 

    Are there people out there who believe in patronage and promising positions?  Unfortunately, yes, but that is not Florida Blue Key's fault.  One great thing about our society is that we all have the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them.  It is entirely within the providence of the individual candidate to maintain immunity to external political pressures and entirely within the providence of the individual candidate to maintain immunity to external political pressures and entirely within the providence of the electorate to recognize and support such leadership.  On the other hand, the electorate could just as easily support a candidate who is a two-faced, bold-faced liar devoid of any individuality.  Here lies the real dialemma. 
 

    WHOSE "RIGHT" IS RIGHT?

    Personally, I believe it is wrong to elect a candidate based solely on promised appointments or favors, but if the people elect such a candidate by  majority vote, I am out of luck.  It is not illegal to do so.  Does that make it right?  It depends on who you ask.  This is where we get into ethics and morality.  There is no bright line test.  The bottom line is that what is immoral to me might be sacred to someone else.  Regardless, it is not for me to judge anyone else's standards of morality; in like manner, it is not for the university of Florida administration to exercise its "wisdom" and play God in trying to set or determine such standards, for who would then determine their standards.  Whose would be the test? 
 

    FLORIDA BLUE KEY IS NOT PERFECT

    Florida Blue Key is not without its faults; no organization is.  There are probably some deserving people who were not elected to membership and even some undeserving people elected to membership, but these instances are, by far, in the minority.  History has overwhelmingly demonstrated that the majority of Florida Blue Key members go on to be successful and devoted members of society, never forgetting their ties to the University of Florida.  Still, if there is a problem to fix, that responsibility rests with the active chapter, not with any external power. 
 

    WE DO KNOW THIS. . .

    Despite the political climate, Florida Blue Key has demonstrated an amazing ability to develop and foster the annual production of Homecoming and Gator Growl, Dr. Sandeen, himself, admits as much.  There is no other university in the country that can boast anything ever close to its scale.  Homecoming and Gator Growl are, without a doubt, one reason why the University of Florida owes more to Florida Blue Key.  Our members dedicate countless hours as undergraduates in service to the University of Florida; their devotion continues for a lifetime. 

    I implore you, Dr. Sandeen, to cut through politics of the situation and recognize the outstanding credit that Florida Blue Key and its members are to the University of Florida.  most importantly, return to Florida Blue Key all responsibilities associated with Homecoming and Gator Growl.  They are what we are and why we are here.  And Florida Blue Key is why the University of Florida has, or had up until this year, the largest student-run pep rally in the world.  Let us return to doing what we do best.