INSIDE LASUSU — THE GAME: PART 2 (MONOPOLY)
Sequel to last week's newsletter. An expose on the inner politics behind the student union.
If you are not subscribed to the LASULife Newsletter, click the button below so you don't miss out on any of our publications. Our Editors will be writing about LASUSU Politics and more.
If you thought Tic Tac Toe was the full picture, know that we've barely scratched the surface. That was just the warm-up. Let’s now talk about the real game; the one that runs deeper, lasts longer, and leaves fewer people standing.
WELCOME TO MONOPOLY
This is that one board game where everyone pretends they’re rich until the system makes sure only one person truly is and on a closer look, LASUSU politics is not just a game of strategy: it’s a game of acquisition, ownership, survival, and control.
But what exactly is at stake? Influence, visibility, and future access to corridors of power in the world outside campus.
The currency? Not just money, but networks, alliances, and sometimes silence.
In Monopoly, players buy properties. On campus, the players buy influence. Players 'own' departments, faculties and cliques. You see it in how certain names are constantly present at every event, even those with no relevance to their capacity or the ones they intend to occupy. All of these not to serve but to solidify their visibility.
You see in this game, the more you control, the harder it is for anyone else to rise. That’s the rule.
In Monopoly, having a large cash flow gives you options. Same in LASUSU politics.
From graphics to banners to free gifts and giveaways—someone is funding it all. And they’re not doing it for free or because they want to support. It’s an investment. When you win, they collect rent and a few.
Rent in this context isn't usually money, it also covers, student contracts, unquestioned favors, and invisible hands in every office. You might be the face of the campaign, but someone else owns the title deed.
Finally, in Monopoly the game sometimes is not won at the board. Players make deals behind the scenes 'Let me pass your property for free and I won’t charge you when you land on mine.'
In LASUSU, that sometimes sounds like, 'let us take welfare, and we'll leave finance for your guy.' 'We’ll share publicity if you endorse our presidential aspirant.' 'You don’t contest this year, and we’ll back you next year.'
These silent agreements form the actual backbone of the election and its processes.
Monopoly tricks you into thinking you’re making progress while the system slowly traps you. It looks like you're winning until you land on the wrong property and can’t pay the rent.
Same thing happens when student representatives, after months of expensive campaigns and promises, get into the office and realize they control nothing. They can’t challenge their sponsors. They can’t speak freely. They are boxed in by the deals they made to 'win' and while they are being criticized for not doing enough, they sometimes wish they could speak. But, the game is the game and the game rules us all.
📝: Ayo Oladiran & Ameerah Olowu, Editors, LASULife Newsletter ✈️
Thank-you for reading the LASU Life Newsletter. If you enjoy our publication share it with your friends and don’t forget to subscribe. You can also follow LASU Life on Instagram and Twitter.