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Both candidates for the Student Body President gave speeches in the latest session of the General Student Senate, in advance of their Nov. 29 debate.
Both incumbent President William Pomerleau and Senator Sean Rankin addressed the Student Senate outlining their platforms for Monday’s election. While Rankin focused on his plan for the future, Pomerleau spoke about his goals to continue a successfully run senate.
Rankin gave a detailed description of what he would do if elected. His tasks include holding office hours outside the Student Center, most notably meeting with first-year to help them with the adjustment period.
“Some of the best indicators on how campus life is going are through the eyes of the freshman class,” Rankin said. “The best way to see the freshman class is to go [with] them in their environment where they’re more comfortable.”
Rankin discussed his plan to lower student costs. He cited his co-authorship of a bill to the Maine legislator in which he lobbied to help lower student costs. Rankin believes that lowering costs and continuing to enhance dining opportunities both on and off campus will peak the student’s intrigue.
“I’m just a student who is really passionate about Student Government,” Rankin said. “I think that if people want to see someone who really cares about this campus, they should come Thursday night.”
Pomerleau took a different route in his speech. He cited examples of success in the current Senate, which he presides over, including the Zipcar program and the Greek Grant program. He also discussed the increased advertising and exposure of Student Government, which he said has made students more aware of the organization’s activities.
“I’ve never seen Student Government run with more efficiency and organization than it has this semester,” Pomerleau said.
Pomerleau continued by saying he would not promise to fix dining, parking, textbook costs or tuition. He noted that these problems exist at virtually every campus across the country.
“With the financial constraints of the federal government, state governments have to nickel and dime everyone, and that means public institutions, like the University of Maine, are affected,” Pomerleau said.
Pomerleau said he would do what is possible to cut costs to ensure the growth of the university’s higher education. He expressed his interest in continuing to use “little solutions to chip away at a bigger problem.”
He ended by saying his goal was to maintain the effectiveness of Student Government through student input, citing the recent removal of the University Credit Union’s ATM fee.
The debate between Rankin and Pomerleau will take place Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in the North Pod of Memorial Union. The election is Monday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be available on the FirstClass network as well as in the Wade Student Leadership Center in the basement of the Memorial Union.
Vice President Steven Moran was sworn in as Vice-President elect, as he is running unopposed.
The student senate also passed three resolutions unanimously. However, the allocation of $958 to Bear Vocals was not brought up until the last moment, causing some confusion among senators. After a representative spoke, the allocation gained popularity and was passed.
It was originally only for $522, but after a representative told the senate they would be paying over $400 out of their pockets, Senator Carl Anderson proposed an amendment to make it $958.
“They’re a major group on campus and they’re going to be representing us really well off campus,” Anderson said. “I don’t really think it’s fair for them to have to pay for that, they deserve the money.”
Other resolutions that passed were an act encouraging Parking Services to provide an option for monthly parking permits and an act to promote campus unity and leadership.
Other allocations included $6,666 to the Men’s Lacrosse Club. Unallocated funds remaining are $68,462.91.
