By Jamie Kanter
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 25, 1998

Our own columinist responds

Editor's note: You may not know it but Jamie Kanter, whose column runs in these pages, is also an ASUA Program Director. Specifically, he runs the Speakers Board.

To the Editor:

I must take exception to your portrayal of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona in the Feb. 23 edition of the Wildcat. Your editorial criticized certain members of ASUA for having "attacked administrative vice presidential candidates Jason Hand and Michael Benveniste" for ". . . not knowing enough about eh jobs they were runnign for or the issues they were running on."

While the criticisms made by the ASUA officials may have been harsh and inappropriate at a public forum, they were, nonetheless, valid.

As director of the ASUA Speakers Board, I understand the job of the administrative vice president, since I work directly under that office. The position asks its candidates to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs and services within ASUA, nothing more. While there are many other important issues floating around in the campaign, such as the "retention and graduation rates, campus safety, binge drinking [and] the pending Nike contract" mentioned in your editorial, these issues simply do not fall under the jurisdiction of that position.

The administrative vice president cannot control all of ASUA; rather s/he can control only the thirteen programs and services under his/her direction.

I believe that both of the so-called "attackers" simply wanted to make sure that all of the candidates understood the job and the issues. A candidate should not run if that candidate does not see both the potential and the limitations of the position. Mr. Benveniste has been running on issues that would not fall under his job description and Mr. Hand has mentioned the Escort Service without having talked to its director. The voting student has a right to know if the candidates are uninformed.

It is the responsibility of the candidates to learn about their position before they begin making speeches and slapping up posters. Two of the candidates, Ryan Rosensteel and Jason Hand, took time to discuss the job with most of the directors, including myself, before establishing their respective platforms. Michael Benveniste made no effort to contact certain directors, including myself, until the day after the forum.

The criticisms levied by the members of ASUA tried to bring to light various smokescreens being created by the candidates. The student body should not be teased by candidates promising more than the job allows them to deliver.

Jamie Kanter
Spanish and Psychology Senior
ASUA Speakers Board Director