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ASB lobbies SG vice presidential candidates for money allocation

Posted on Thursday, November 5th, 2009, 1:03 am

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Lobbying concerns sparked a brief debate in the University of Maine General Student Senate meeting Tuesday following Student Government presidential and vice presidential candidates’ platform speeches.

Senate voted to allocate $8,000 to Alternative Spring Break. Sen. James Lyons amended the original allocation of $7,000 with an increase of $1,000.

An ASB representative sent an e-mail to vice presidential candidates Nyssa Gatcombe and Timothy Smith prior to the meeting, urging both senators to vote in favor of the allocation. The e-mail raised concern among senators because it stated 96 members of ASB would likely vote for Gatcombe and Smith if the resolution passed.

“Quite frankly, I’m offended by the e-mail sent to the candidates,” Sen. Ben Goodman said. “It … undermines the integrity of the process.”

Sen. Nicholas DeHaas disagreed.

“[It] was lobbying. It’s perfectly fine,” DeHaas said.

Student Government President Owen McCarthy asked senators to forget the e-mail and vote on the resolution’s merits.

Despite a proposal to postpone the allocation vote for two weeks in order to meet with ASB members and discuss the e-mail, senators voted to allocate the $8,000.

An amendment to change the standing rules of Student Senate passed after being discussed at last week’s meeting, and a resolution to create an official mission statement for University of Maine Student Government, Inc. was sent to the Policy and Procedures Committee.

“This resolution … does not conflict with the preamble … as did the previous similar resolution,” stated McCarthy’s report, referring to a resolution presented to senators at last week’s meeting. McCarthy changed the resolution because it was believed there wasn’t a lot of support for the version that affected the preamble. McCarthy changed the resolution into one affecting the mission statement to “more easily describe the organization to an outsider in the community,” according to McCarthy’s statement.

Student representative to the board of trustees Rebecca Dyer was pleased with the turnout for the Oct. 28 forum with University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude and members of the board.

“It’s wonderful you’re getting involved,” Dyer said.

Candidates for Student Government presented their platform speeches during the senate meeting — covering topics from dining prices to keeping student fees low.

“We are all students. We are all Black Bears,” Jackman said. “I believe we need to focus on a new direction [for Student Government].”

Jackman said he would work to freeze the student activity fee and streamline the student organization application and upkeep processes with an online format.

“Student government is the face of students for the administration,” he said.

Presidential candidate Ross Wolland celebrated an already “healthy, pro-active” student government, but allowed room for improvement. Wolland stressed the importance of better dining services, the need for a peer advising system and a revitalized Bear’s Den.

“The main goal of president is to make the lives of students better on a day-to-day basis. I promise I will continue to work for you,” Wolland said.

Presidential candidate Brian Harris finished with words about engaging the student body.

“I believe that our most pressing issue is that our students, our constituents, don’t know we exist,” Harris said.

Harris said approximately 12 percent of students voted last year in the executive election and, therefore, Student Government executives represent only that 12 percent. Harris pushed for increased involvement between students and Student Government, listening to “areas of campus that might not always be heard” and posed the question: “What could be done with 40 percent, 50 percent or 60 percent [of student] involvement [in executive elections]?”

Gatcombe stood for encouraging student advocacy, increasing efficiency in Student Government and the adoption of more ecofriendly measures.

“[It’s] important that we cater to [students],” said Gatcombe, who encouraged student advocacy and wants to see more student involvement in student government.

Smith said representing the entirety of student interests is what Student Government should seek to do.

“Ensuring a complete advocacy of student interests is to be strived for,” Smith said.

A strong understanding of legal procedure and adherence to UMaine Student Government constitution is necessary as vice president, according to Smith. Smith said he plans to increase understanding of Student Government issues and events by writing a series of opinion editorials to The Maine Campus, if elected.

During the meeting, $520.87 was allocated to Amnesty International, $600 to the Catholic Student Association, $400 to the Student Women’s Association and $200 to the French Club.

The Cult Cinema Appreciation Society and Ski and Snowboard Club were granted preliminary recognition while the Jugglers Society and Women’s Ice Hockey Club gained final recognition.