The following is Written by Brian Cauley, following the Connors/Matheson campaign. If you don't have an affiliation with any campaign and are interested in writing, please e-mail su_comm@stfx.ca . The following is independent thought and not the opinion of the StFX Student Union.
There are three headings that formulate the beginning of what could be an amazing plan for innovation and change in theU recently featured on VotePatandScott.com. These three headings - labeled "Innovation", "Communication", "Participation" - each are formed with good ideals and intentions yet lack the substance to really provide both a true concept of what Connors and Matheson are planning or how they plan to achieve these goals. Now before I get into my specific issues with each of the three groupings I have another issue to hash.
On January 29 Scott Matheson wrote: "So last night Pat and I finished consolidating our platform with the terrific help of Mr. Glenn Horne, Mr. Jon Adams, and Mr. Ben Gallant." I waited until now - when the beginnings of this platform have been released - to address my major concern. See anything missing? No? Can't find it? Well it comes with ovaries and an important point of view not assisting as a primary role in this campaign - Woman! Yes, 2 male candidates and 3 male consultants just creates a bias that makes me worry a little. Now all 5 may be able to identify with the plight of the average woman at StFX, however I think one woman position in the team responsible for finalizing the main focus of this campaign is essential.
So...now on to addressing the actual platform in its 3 parts.
1. Innovation
C&M speak to environmental concerns, an issue that really hasn't been effectively addressed by any Union to date as one form of their innovative plan. However they never say how they will reduce our ecological footprint or make the campus greener. Suggestions..anyone?
2. Communication
With good perspective that seems to come from Connors experience as a Student Advocate, C&M state working better with administration while never forgetting to represent student concerns. Under this umbrella they also plan to work closer with the radio station (92.5 The Fox) and the news paper (The Xaverian Weekly) to "support them in initiatives to innovate and improve upon their past success". I become wary of team using popular student resources to endorse their campaign without a full understanding of the issues. The radio needs money and a full-time station manager. The paper needs to be completely online - utilizing blogging and continual updates - which requires enough infrastructure to maintain a reliable and large team of reporters. So far both The Fox and The Weekly have been left relatively to their own devices. Without proof of considerable communication with both groups and planning I can not put faith in the proposed support of initiatives and innovation.
3. Participation
C&M have been great at inviting student participation in their campaign. While I have not seen the two reaching out as much to the LGBTQ and Women's groups as I would like, they are doing their best to make everyone feel welcome to give their "Two cents" (even me!). I am glad to see the positive traditions as X addressed here and I have little concern about C&M following through as they both are Burk alumni. It is more so the mentioning of additional society support (both financially and structurally) that I grow wearisome. TheU is already stretched far too thin when it comes to societies. A decently sized society budget over an exorbitant number of societies does no good. But where do C&M plan to find this additional money? More so, applying more infrastructure support to such a large and growing number becomes increasingly difficult.
Overall my main complaint with the beginnings of the C&M platform is the lack of specifics. I want to know the "how", or at least a few examples of exactly what these two are planning. Their overall ideas are good, even if sometimes overtly optimistic. However once again I feel these two are too scarred to say anything to0 concrete that will get them stuck in a jam.
-Brian
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
What's an election without a little controversy?
"The idea for the Blog was to peak interest, give a forum where people could get information and spark debate. I think it's done that, but I shouldn't have been the writer. I was excited to see campaigning start and didn't want to wait for the bloggers. I don't think I could shoot myself in the foot any harder and it screwed up Matt and Julia's campaign from the start which was not the intention." - Neil Stephen
Those are some humbling words from your VP Communications.
Now I know this little affair won't stack up against some of the greats in the 'Election Controversy Hall of Fame.' It's definitely not on par with past scandals like the Florida incident that elected Bush to his first term or the Iraqi elections under Saddam Hussein, with only one candidate, in which every citizen was legally obligated to cast their ballot. But controversy always brings out the best or worst in people and, in my opinion, is a test of character that can give any voter important insight when deciding who to put in power. The mark of a good (potential) leader is his or her ability to face controversy well. And Matt and Julia did just that.
In a statement posted on the MacGillivray-Clarke facebook group, Matt remarked, "I'm glad to see students showing a general interest in their elections and a concern that their elections be covered in as fair a manner as possible. This is exactly the sort of thing we're running for."
To remain strong in the often cruel face of adversity will only benefit the future of the MacGillivray-Clarke campaign.
- Danielle
Those are some humbling words from your VP Communications.
Now I know this little affair won't stack up against some of the greats in the 'Election Controversy Hall of Fame.' It's definitely not on par with past scandals like the Florida incident that elected Bush to his first term or the Iraqi elections under Saddam Hussein, with only one candidate, in which every citizen was legally obligated to cast their ballot. But controversy always brings out the best or worst in people and, in my opinion, is a test of character that can give any voter important insight when deciding who to put in power. The mark of a good (potential) leader is his or her ability to face controversy well. And Matt and Julia did just that.
In a statement posted on the MacGillivray-Clarke facebook group, Matt remarked, "I'm glad to see students showing a general interest in their elections and a concern that their elections be covered in as fair a manner as possible. This is exactly the sort of thing we're running for."
To remain strong in the often cruel face of adversity will only benefit the future of the MacGillivray-Clarke campaign.
- Danielle
Connors/Matheson interlude
The following is Written by Brian Cauley, following the Connors/Matheson campaign. If you don't have an affiliation with any campaign and are interested in writing, please e-mail su_comm@stfx.ca . The following is independent thought and not the opinion of the StFX Student Union.(Yes Neil already screwed that up once)
Launching what appears to be one of the most accessible campaigns in StFX Student Union history Pat Connors and Scott Matheson seem to be off to a good start. With a comprehensive and frequently updated website C&M are looking for student input to really shape their campaign. However, launching right into the Presidential/Vice-Presidential without a stable platform seems ill-thought and hasty. While these two both posses a notable track-record in Burke House affairs (and Connors is a Student Advocate) the two seem to have put little foresight into their future plans as Pres and VP.
Now I'm not suggesting creating a website, getting a good roster of student support, and planning a campus tour doesn't take preparation, but if this all comes without consideration of what these two actually want to do on the job I'm not particularly inclined to care.
We all know that you want to give students what they want - this is how the tradeoff goes. IF you promise students their desires than students vote for you - that doesn't take a whole lot of courage. What I want to see is these two to come out with some concrete plans of their own. No large advisory committee, no waiting for mass student input, just pure Connors/Matheson insight into where the Union should be headed; than I would really know where these two stand.
A Union that listens to students is the best form of Union....if they produce results. Talking to students all day takes time and can waste energy if overdone. If these two end up holding office than they soon will be bogged down with enough tasks to ensure they will have to make plenty of quick calls without being able to ask a panel of student advisers.
I do not doubt that both Connors or Matheson posses the capabilities to run a Union, but I want to know if they will do it the best. Before I gauge how well the respond to student input I want to be secure in knowing they will make good decisions in the 11th hour when no Sally Q or Joe P is around to ask "what do you want me to do?"
-Brian
Launching what appears to be one of the most accessible campaigns in StFX Student Union history Pat Connors and Scott Matheson seem to be off to a good start. With a comprehensive and frequently updated website C&M are looking for student input to really shape their campaign. However, launching right into the Presidential/Vice-Presidential without a stable platform seems ill-thought and hasty. While these two both posses a notable track-record in Burke House affairs (and Connors is a Student Advocate) the two seem to have put little foresight into their future plans as Pres and VP.
Now I'm not suggesting creating a website, getting a good roster of student support, and planning a campus tour doesn't take preparation, but if this all comes without consideration of what these two actually want to do on the job I'm not particularly inclined to care.
We all know that you want to give students what they want - this is how the tradeoff goes. IF you promise students their desires than students vote for you - that doesn't take a whole lot of courage. What I want to see is these two to come out with some concrete plans of their own. No large advisory committee, no waiting for mass student input, just pure Connors/Matheson insight into where the Union should be headed; than I would really know where these two stand.
A Union that listens to students is the best form of Union....if they produce results. Talking to students all day takes time and can waste energy if overdone. If these two end up holding office than they soon will be bogged down with enough tasks to ensure they will have to make plenty of quick calls without being able to ask a panel of student advisers.
I do not doubt that both Connors or Matheson posses the capabilities to run a Union, but I want to know if they will do it the best. Before I gauge how well the respond to student input I want to be secure in knowing they will make good decisions in the 11th hour when no Sally Q or Joe P is around to ask "what do you want me to do?"
-Brian
Labels:
Brian Cauley,
Pat connors,
Scott Matheson
Monday, January 28, 2008
A message from your blogger
Hi there everyone,
Danielle here. I will be covering the MacGillivray-Clarke bid for president and vice-president. This blog was created as a way for an outside party to give a student oriented perspective on the issues at hand, free from partisan politics and under-handed mudslinging that is inevitable in any bid for power.
Before I even agreed to keep this blog, there was already a host of messages on X-Talk condemning a previous post. I’m not here to defend what was written or berate the author for poor taste. I’m here to talk about the issues of the election, simply picking up where things were left off as the blog was launched before I signed on.
Neil approached me to take on this role because I’m a writer. Yes, I work for the Xaverian Weekly but this blog is in no way affiliated with the newspaper and I am not writing on the paper’s behalf. This is an entirely unrelated project. I accepted because I see the value and necessity of student government and the importance of students having a say in their leadership and being able to hold our student government accountable in their positions of authority; positions we have given them.
So, let’s get back to the candidates, the issues and the elections. I’m glad so many students are taking an active interest in the elections this year from the beginning. Stay tuned for updates on what promising to be an exciting few weeks. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, comments, etc. about the campaign or what you find written here. You can reach me at x2005eoi@stfx.ca. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading. Until next time.
Danielle here. I will be covering the MacGillivray-Clarke bid for president and vice-president. This blog was created as a way for an outside party to give a student oriented perspective on the issues at hand, free from partisan politics and under-handed mudslinging that is inevitable in any bid for power.
Before I even agreed to keep this blog, there was already a host of messages on X-Talk condemning a previous post. I’m not here to defend what was written or berate the author for poor taste. I’m here to talk about the issues of the election, simply picking up where things were left off as the blog was launched before I signed on.
Neil approached me to take on this role because I’m a writer. Yes, I work for the Xaverian Weekly but this blog is in no way affiliated with the newspaper and I am not writing on the paper’s behalf. This is an entirely unrelated project. I accepted because I see the value and necessity of student government and the importance of students having a say in their leadership and being able to hold our student government accountable in their positions of authority; positions we have given them.
So, let’s get back to the candidates, the issues and the elections. I’m glad so many students are taking an active interest in the elections this year from the beginning. Stay tuned for updates on what promising to be an exciting few weeks. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, comments, etc. about the campaign or what you find written here. You can reach me at x2005eoi@stfx.ca. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading. Until next time.
MacGillivary and Clarke Announce Presidential Campaign
More action on the announcement front as Councilor Matt MacGillivary and Lane sr.RA Julia Clarke launched their facebook group and campaign website today to much fanfare. Their facebook presence already has over 120 members.
Their website, available by clicking here, features bios and a campaign platform that is quite extensive. Karl Alzner, Captain of Team Canada for the 2008 World Juniors is apparently a supporter of Matt and Julia's bid, their site features a picture of the captain in Calgary holding a sign that endorses the candidates.
This candidates platform focuses on transparency and accessibility to union staff and services and urges the use of the union website to keep students up-to date. Interestingly, as a union councilor, MacGilivary never pushed these ideas at the council table.
Connors offers bid for President
The 2008 presidential campaign began today with Pat Connors and running mate Scott Matheson launching their campaign website and facebook page and officially announcing their campaign for the 4th floor.
An excerpt from their information release:
Pat, Scott and their growing campaign team are focusing their efforts over the next three weeks on giving students a voice in charting a course for the 2008-2009 school year. They’ll be using technology like votepatandscott.com and an intensive Facebook campaign to connect the campus and generate discussion about the issues and ideas that matter.
No ideas or details are available at this point, but their facebook page indicates a full platform is on it's way. No other candidates have officially begun their campaign. To visit Pat and Scotts website, Click Here.
An excerpt from their information release:
Pat, Scott and their growing campaign team are focusing their efforts over the next three weeks on giving students a voice in charting a course for the 2008-2009 school year. They’ll be using technology like votepatandscott.com and an intensive Facebook campaign to connect the campus and generate discussion about the issues and ideas that matter.
No ideas or details are available at this point, but their facebook page indicates a full platform is on it's way. No other candidates have officially begun their campaign. To visit Pat and Scotts website, Click Here.
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