SA Elections 2010: Endorsements

"EDMUND MAYS, Vice President for Multicultural Affairs

Position description: The vice president for multicultural affairs works with the vast plethora of cultural groups at BU, as well as with the Intercultural Awareness Committee, to organize programs and events to promote a better understanding between the many cultures on campus.

While Mays’ background revolves around finances, his overall experience of “living and breathing student government,” as he put it to Pipe Dream editors, convinced us that he’s a good fit for the job.

Running unopposed, Mays said he’d work to further Ricky Da Costa’s work, which stabilized the position after years of ups and downs that left many questioning the validity of the office. Mays said he’d push the office even further, and we’re eager to see him do so, whether it’s with his proposed Cultural Week or other events. The VPMA needs a bigger presence on campus, and judging from Mays’ experience, he’s our best shot.

AARON COHN, Vice President for Programming

Position description: The vice president for programming oversees all activities and programming sponsored by the SA.

Aaron Cohn followed through on his word when he ran last year and said he’d work to get student input on performers, and it’s that kind of commitment that makes us want to endorse the unopposed incumbent.

One of few people to actually seem happy and genuinely passionate about his job, Cohn was creative with his options this year (think Frost Fest, PostSecret, etc.), despite budgetary circumstances that didn’t seem to allow for much on the surface. When he spoke to Pipe Dream editors, he said one of the things he’d like to do more of next year is increase student input, and we’re behind that — not to mention any other unique ideas he comes up with.

DANIEL RABINOWITZ, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Position description: The vice president for academic affairs is responsible for representing the student body on all academic issues and concerns.

Daniel Rabinowitz is an incumbent running unopposed, and rightfully so, considering the job he’s done this year alone. Candidates who say they plan to advocate for students should look to Rabinowitz, who’s worked to increase awareness of student rights on campus. He’s also made progress for his constituents when it comes to getting summer grades back to students earlier, and having the results of the SOOT surveys released publicly — two moves that have students at heart.

We’re really hoping Rabinowitz can continue his productive streak, and we’re looking forward to seeing what else he has in store.

PHILLIP CALDERON, Vice President for Finance

Position description: The vice president for finance oversees all income and expenditures made by the SA and all of its student groups.

This is a hard call, as both candidates are very experienced and have concrete plans for the office. What puts Phillip Calderon above Adam Shamah for us are two major issues: first, that Calderon has hands-on experience serving on the board of directors for Off Campus College Transport; and second, that unlike Shamah, he’s not completely sold on the notion of total autonomy for student group spending. Calderon said he’d keep a watchful eye from afar, which is important because so many student leaders aren’t as informed as they should be when it comes to finances — something else he hopes to combat.

Next year’s VPF needs to be able to work with other student leaders and solve OCCT’s financial problems once and for all, and since Calderon’s had more contact with the student-run bus company, we’re confident he’ll take care of this huge issue.

NO ENDORSEMENT, Executive Vice President

Position description: The executive vice president oversees the activities of each of the Student Association-chartered groups — almost every club on campus, as well as all community governments.

There was no majority of Pipe Dream editors backing any of these candidates, mainly because they either lacked backbone, or didn’t separate themselves from the other candidates enough.

While Karl Bernhardsen differs most from the other opponents (think a very proper demeanor, and distance from the SA in-crowd), he admitted himself that he is “the little guy.” Even though he followed his disclaimer of not “guaranteeing” success with a promise that he wouldn’t back down to administrators, Pipe Dream editors were skeptical on the second part.

Aside from that, Bernhardsen said if he’d been in office when the Caribbean Student Association’s Carnival was called off this year, the practical solution, in his eyes, would be to move the event off campus. Seeing as the tradition of Carnival necessitates that it be held on campus, Pipe Dream couldn’t back Bernhardsen.

Randal Meyer and Jenna Goldin’s platforms were essentially the same: to revamp the Student Group Council, create a Google calendar though BMail, make E-Board transitions easier from year to year and ensure overlap between the EVP and VPF offices. Meyer is more experienced than Goldin, but he didn’t win our vote because of the fact that he’s been involved in such a high number of organizations on campus over the years, such as College Libertarians. Given all his other activities, we question how committed he can really be as EVP.

Again, while Goldin’s ideas were realistic, her experience and lack of specifics when speaking to Pipe Dream editors didn’t convince us that she’s right for the job.

JARED KIRSCHENBAUM, SA President

Position description: The president acts as the chief ambassador between the students and the administration while serving as the official representative of the student body.