EDITORIAL: The MJ endorses USA for SG?election
M.J. Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Perspectives
Recently instituting a new constitution after enduring two years of tiring debate, two factions of Student Government (SG), Maize and Blue and University Student Advocates (USA), are now campaigning to be the team that implements the changes over the next year.
We at The Michigan Journal understand how crucial next year's leadership will be for SG and the UM-D student body and consequently endorse USA candidates Shahad Atiya and Sarah Jaward for president and vice president, respectively.
Of the two parties, Atiya and Jaward have a very concrete and specific idea of what SG should be, and it's not an event planning organization. Instead, they plan to focus on changing policies that negatively effect the student body and creating new policies to make further improvements.
One example, the drastic price difference UM-D students pay for the same health coverage as UM-AA students. The USA candidates found the discrepancy and asked why the difference in cost.
This interrogative method has been applied to the rest of their slate. Instead of making huge promises about lowering tuition, Atiya and Jaward examined the redundant fees students pay to register each year and once again questioned "why?"
We find USA's entire platform for the upcoming year heavily researched. Both Atiya and Jaward, along with their team of senators, have dug deeper, really pushed the envelope. Not only have they made it clear they want change, they have mapped specific paths on how to get that change within realistic means.
Another selling point was one of USA's main pillars for this year's campaign - "accountability." Atiya and Jaward plan to make SG more transparent to the students so unlike past years, students will be aware of what SG's money is spent on. They also plan to hold members accountable for being unproductive or dropping the ball on certain initiatives such as the spring break change.
USA also plans to put into effect a first 100 days system similar to national government which will allow SG to strenuously focus on the year's platform issues rapidly producing tangible results.
However, although we at The Michigan Journal support USA candidates Atiya and Jaward, there are parts of Maize and Blue's platform we think should not be overlooked. One of which is their plan to have one copy of each textbook for every class reserved at the Mardigian Library, so students are able to obtain it as a reference at any time. While the program would be costly, Jason Davis and Donald Demiri have different plans of attack to implement the program. We also thought their meet and greet plans with clubs and organizations to increase productivity was proactive.
While Atiya and Jaward's opponents claim "the Maize and Blue crew works for you," we at The Michigan Journal feel as though they have been working for us for the past two years and, just like this year's national campaign, it's time for a change.
In this year's election, Atiya and Jaward's candid approach to SG leadership and their willingness to challenge the status quo has earned them our vote.
We at The Michigan Journal understand how crucial next year's leadership will be for SG and the UM-D student body and consequently endorse USA candidates Shahad Atiya and Sarah Jaward for president and vice president, respectively.
Of the two parties, Atiya and Jaward have a very concrete and specific idea of what SG should be, and it's not an event planning organization. Instead, they plan to focus on changing policies that negatively effect the student body and creating new policies to make further improvements.
One example, the drastic price difference UM-D students pay for the same health coverage as UM-AA students. The USA candidates found the discrepancy and asked why the difference in cost.
This interrogative method has been applied to the rest of their slate. Instead of making huge promises about lowering tuition, Atiya and Jaward examined the redundant fees students pay to register each year and once again questioned "why?"
We find USA's entire platform for the upcoming year heavily researched. Both Atiya and Jaward, along with their team of senators, have dug deeper, really pushed the envelope. Not only have they made it clear they want change, they have mapped specific paths on how to get that change within realistic means.
Another selling point was one of USA's main pillars for this year's campaign - "accountability." Atiya and Jaward plan to make SG more transparent to the students so unlike past years, students will be aware of what SG's money is spent on. They also plan to hold members accountable for being unproductive or dropping the ball on certain initiatives such as the spring break change.
USA also plans to put into effect a first 100 days system similar to national government which will allow SG to strenuously focus on the year's platform issues rapidly producing tangible results.
However, although we at The Michigan Journal support USA candidates Atiya and Jaward, there are parts of Maize and Blue's platform we think should not be overlooked. One of which is their plan to have one copy of each textbook for every class reserved at the Mardigian Library, so students are able to obtain it as a reference at any time. While the program would be costly, Jason Davis and Donald Demiri have different plans of attack to implement the program. We also thought their meet and greet plans with clubs and organizations to increase productivity was proactive.
While Atiya and Jaward's opponents claim "the Maize and Blue crew works for you," we at The Michigan Journal feel as though they have been working for us for the past two years and, just like this year's national campaign, it's time for a change.
In this year's election, Atiya and Jaward's candid approach to SG leadership and their willingness to challenge the status quo has earned them our vote.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
ItotallyAGREE!!!
posted 4/21/09 @ 8:01 PM EST
The students are DEMANDING change! EXCELLENT JOURNALISM FROM AN EXCELLENT STUDENT PAPER!! We are sick of wasted time and money. We are sick of Maize and Blue SLOGANS. (Continued…)
Jenny Adkins
posted 4/22/09 @ 3:07 PM EST
This may be the first year that student elections have not been a joke. Most of these 'politicians' have forgotten that you can't make blanket promises without any reasonable attempt to explain how the issue could be feasibly tackled. (Continued…)
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