By Opinions board
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 2, 2004
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This year's ASUA field has some standout stars ÷ Alistair Chapman and Stephanie Hartz come to mind ÷ but in general, Election Commissioner Daniel Suh's efforts to recruit better informed, more professional candidates appears to have gone unrewarded. In an effort to support only those candidates we feel deserving of election, the Wildcat has decided to make endorsements in the presidential, executive vice presidential and senatorial races. We make no endorsement for administrative vice president or two of the senate posts. These are the candidates who will truly make ASUA the best it can be.
President
Alistair Chapman
The Wildcat endorses Alistair Chapman in the presidential election. His four years of experience within ASUA have helped him to develop a platform that proposes changes both meaningful and feasible.
It is also clear that Chapman has done the research and legwork to ensure the viability of his proposed changes. His research revealed complications in implementing his original proposals to install a voter poll and create adviser contracts, so he modified them accordingly while maintaining their original aims. This kind of foresight and flexibility reflects the value of his experience.
Chapman's opponent, Josh Shapiro, has no experience in student government, and it shows in his unviable platform and utter lack of preparation.
He has done little research into his proposed point system for Zona Zoo, and his plan reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the athletics department's economic structure. He bases his proposal on the model currently in use by Stanford, ignoring the profound differences between the two schools. His provision to include points for non-sporting club activities in the system seems at best misguided, and at worst a ploy to give greeks preferential treatment in basketball ticket allotment.
Chapman's plan to make the current student sections available on a modified general admission basis offers a practical and viable solution that will give die-hard fans the best seats. As an ASUA member, he has lobbied the athletics department for a point system and understands the financial concerns that make it almost impossible.
Shapiro proposes similarly fallacious plans to increase class availability while stabilizing tuition and to create a volunteer class that would be less effective than the current internship credit system.
Shapiro has pushed hot-button issues in order to draw attention to his campaign without forming any realistic plan of action to address those issues. He bills himself as an ASUA "outsider" who can bring a fresh perspective to replace the current administration, which he says is doing "a terrible job." But in reality, he lacks both the experience and preparation to effect any meaningful change.
Chapman's breadth of experience and attention to detail make him a far better candidate for ASUA president.
Executive VP
Blake Buchanan
After carefully examining the two very qualified candidates for the executive vice president position, we have to give the nod to Blake Buchanan.
This is an extremely close race between two current senators that could very easily go either way, as evidenced by the primaries last week.
That said, Buchanan is the right choice to lead a traditionally adrift senate. The candidates have very distinct directions in which they want to take both the senate and the club funding process, which are the cornerstones of the executive vice president position.
Buchanan has the right idea and realizes the scope of the executive branch of ASUA, and his campaign promises are much more specific to the position than those of his opponent, Sara Birnbaum. He doesn't promise to make huge sweeping changes to ASUA, but rather work with the institutions available to him and improve them.
Birnbaum is a very strong candidate who does have a lot of intriguing ideas, but she would best serve the students in another area, where she can see them through to completion.
Both of these candidates will end up doing great things for ASUA, and it's unfortunate that one has to lose, but Buchanan is the right guy for this job.
Admin VP
No Endorsement
The Wildcat has decided not to endorse any candidate for the office of administrative vice president. Neither Jordan Miller and Clint Walls has realistic expectations of what they would do once in office.
Miller fails to outline specific goals, and instead chooses to go with vague notions such as the classic "improve relations" campaign strategy. While she describes herself as an "enthusiastic advocate" for clubs, enthusiasm only goes so far.
While her opponent Walls outlines specific actions he'd take if elected, his plan is neither realistic nor fiscally responsible. His main platform involves finding outside funding to pay the $70,000 per year cost to run ASUA's popular SafeRide program. Walls' plan to start a campaign to raise the money needed, to be repeated every semester, is not feasible, and the administrative costs associated with such a fundraising effort would outweigh the benefits.
Still, Miller and Walls share one good idea ÷ both say they'll create a public relations director if elected. But if you are going to be successful as administrative vice president, you're going to need more than just one good idea. The best candidate for the job? Sara Birnbaum. Too bad she's running for executive vice president.
Senate
Fernando Ascencio
Although Ascencio's plan for a peer-to-peer program needs work in order to be successful, at least it's not from the standard cookie-cutter promise that most candidates make. The rest of his platform, which includes repaving parking lots and an ASUA public relations position, won't blow you away either, but he is a knowledgeable candidate whose promises are at least manageable and more feasible than those of many other platforms. He also brings the enthusiasm, commitment, and ambition to the senatorial office that many candidates lack.
Steven Eddy
Steven Eddy is in touch with the pulse of the university. He has lived in Tucson his entire life and is involved in plenty of campus activities and volunteer work. Eddy's goals are simple and practical. He would like to create student outreach programs to enhance freshman orientation and bridge the communication gap between student government and campus clubs, including the greek community. Eddy has proven he cares about the UA and would be an exceptional representative for the student body.
Joseph Fu
Joe Fu wants students to succeed. Alarmed by the number of students on academic probation, Fu would try to implement mentor programs and study skills classes to help these students get off probation as soon as possible. Fu also wants to get in-state students engaged with international students using events like a world food fair. His platform is original, insightful and, most importantly, feasible.
Stephanie Hartz
Stephanie Hartz was the hands-down favorite of the opinions board. Professional, informed and enthusiastic, there is no doubt that she would make an exceptional senator. Hartz supports tailgates and roadtrips for the Zona Zoo, a fall cultural fair to bolster campus diversity efforts and serve as a fundraising opportunity for cultural clubs and efforts to involve students in the political process. Voters should rest assured that Hartz will be the kind of senator to make good on her promises.
Cody Ortmann
Cody Ortmann is something of a sleeper candidate ÷ quiet, composed and moderate. However, he has the experience and drive to be a major player in the senate next year. Ortmann would create a "Night Cats" escort service that, though not as exciting as it sounds, would improve safety on campus and complement the SafeRide program on weekends. He has done the research to back up his assertion that the program is viable, and so too is his candidacy.
Prashant Raj
Engineering junior Prashant Raj is an intelligent international student who brings realistic goals to the table. His best idea is to increase the number of "blue" emergency phones on campus, a very workable goal. Raj is the public relations officer for the ASUA India Club and is a residence assistant at the La Paz dorm. He says he is running for a senate position because he wants to serve the campus community, and his background suggests he would do an excellent job in doing so.
Pita Salido
Pita Salido wants to strengthen the UA's bond with Tucson. With the UA Leader Shadow Program, Salido would pair up high school students with student leaders who'd bring them along for a club meeting, team practice or other campus activity. Salido also wants to step up student involvement in the community with programs like the All Campus Philanthropy event. She has extensive involvement in UA organizations, experience that brings her a broad perspective.
Daniel Smith-Matthews
If Daniel Smith-Matthews has one thing going for him, it's his unbridled enthusiasm ÷ for the ASUA senate, the Bulls, computer engineering, the list goes on · Luckily, his enthusiasm isn't undue ÷ it's a product of a solid, workable platform. Smith-Matthews would revamp the ASUA Web site to turn it into a "communication hub" for students, institute a regular poll to take the pulse of the student body and rally students to register to vote ÷ all worthy goals.
Opinions are determined by the Wildcat opinions board and written by one of its members. They are Shane Dale, Caitlin Hall, Saul Loeb, Jason Poreda, Justin St. Germain and Eliza Tebo.
