News

UMSG candidates pitch to senators

By Thomas Frisk

Posted on Oct. 27, 2011, at 1:11 a.m.

The two candidates for the University of Maine student body presidency crystallized their platforms and answered the senators’ final questions before Thursday’s election at the General Student Senate meeting Tuesday.

“I can give new and fresh views,” said former senator and current presidential candidate Rebekah Dunham. “Obviously we do not want senate to plateau but instead continue to grow. And with new ideas, voices and opinions, Student Government will be better able to grow.

“I can be the person to help Student Government grow,” she said.

“I know that in the past presidents have said they want to talk to people and get out the word and it has not been effective,” said Sen. Sam Helmke, asking Dunham for “tangible goals.”

“First tangible goal: get more student opinion through talking, inviting them to talk to us,” Dunham said. “I also know that parking is an issue, and by going off what the students tell us, trying to work to make it more accessible to commuter students.”

“Multiple successful concerts, a campus-wide egg hunt, the building of a UMSG website, and increased student advocacy have all been brought to the forefront during my short tenure, and if re-elected it is my intention to continue to create an atmosphere in which these things are not only ideas but plausible realities,” said President Anthony Ortiz, running for re-election.

Sen. Caleb Shortt asked Ortiz if he thought his short time left on campus would limit his ability to accomplish his goals for Student Government.

“I don’t think so, because I’ve only been president for about three months and have accomplished more than most administrations accomplish in a full term,” Ortiz replied. He listed student advocacy, dining, parking and fiscal responsibility as key issues he wants to address.

Also at the meeting, Lauri Sidelko, director of Alcohol and Drug Education Programs, informed the senate that Old Town and Orono police will double the number of officers on duty Thursday through Sunday for Halloween weekend. She said there will be at least two roadblocks near campus.

The senate allocated $2,440 to send 12 members of the Muslim Student Association to the Reviving Islamic Spirit Annual Conference. The students will listen to Ambassador Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, and Yusuf Islam, also known as Cat Stevens. The hip-hop group Outlandish will perform.

The Tennis Club was allocated $1,900 for seasonal expenses.

Ortiz awarded Leadership Scholarships worth $500 to Molly Flanagan, Dung “Emily” Tran, Kaidi Ilves and Sean Sibley.

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