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Last updated: Thursday, Feb. 9, 1:34 a.m.
Editorials | Opinion |

Editorial: Wolland, Gatcombe for SG leadership

Posted on Nov. 09, 2009, at 2:47 a.m.

In three days, students at the University of Maine will vote for who will represent them at the highest office of Student Government. Of the three candidates, all of whom are strong contenders for the position, current Vice President of Student Government Ross Wolland has risen above the rest.

While the other candidates have made promises to change student government, Wolland has quietly stuck to his less glamarous goals of revamping the Bears Den Pub, improving dining services, and connecting with his constituents.

Wolland’s most ambitious, admirable and achievable goal is the creation of a peer advisor program. Should the program be created to Wolland’s current vision, younger students would have the opportunity to meet with upperclassmen within their major for advice before meeting their advisor. This program would help students pick classes and advance their academic careers without having to guess.

The other factor putting Wolland ahead of the rest is his frank assessment of the role of Student Government. When asked in debate what he would do to counter the image of student government as nothing more than an ATM for students, Wolland reminded students not to make Student Government out to be more than it really is. He commented on the importance of making sure the student activity fee — a total of $750,000 per year — is spent responsibly, in a way that benefits students, citing the Collegiate Readership Program among other programs under Student Government.

Along with the office of SG president, vice president is also being contested in a two-way race between Nyssa Gatcombe and Tim Smith.

While her opponent seemed to say that his focus would be on the rules of the General Student Senate, Gatcombe pointed out that while she knows Student Government’s structure well, just knowing the rules isn’t enough to qualify one for leadership. And she is right. Leadership comes from experience.

During the debate, Gatcombe clearly laid out the leadership experience she brings to the table from her role in the Speech and Debate club and as chair of Student Alumni Association and others. That esperience is what makes her the best candidate for vice president.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009, 2:47 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.

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  • http://twitter.com/walterlazarz Walter F. Lazarz

    Excellent review of why Ross Wolland is the best candidate for president.

    The Vice Presidential contest is more interesting than described here. Tim Smith correctly stated that the focus of the position of Vice President of Student Government is rule enforcement. Additionally, he committed to specific times and dates to be available in the Oakes Room to meet students as President of the General Student Senate. Mr. Smith is already demonstrating the active leadership the Maine Campus traditionally supports. Ms. Gatcombe’s experience is commendable, with some demonstrated successes. She has great potential. But, by her own admittance she is currently very busy. The race for Vice President seems to be still up in the air.