The ASSU Debate kicks off at 6:30 @ The CoHo and is open to the public. We’ll also be live blogging the event, right here, so stay tuned!
It’s over. Go home now, but look toward this blog as the elections near Thursday and Friday, news is breaking all the time. Thanks!
7:56
ASSU Salaries
There’s no tangible difference between Zimbroff-Wagstaff and MacGregor-Dennis-Druthi. From what they said, its fair to assume both slates would both keep salary levels fairly consistent.
Open Source: “Grab the money and run.”
HUGE ENDORSEMENT BREAKING: Peter Lindener – perhaps better known as the man who plays saxophone in White Plaza – made a surprise visit and advocated on behalf of the Open Source candidates. Game-changer.
7:46
Fiscal Responsibility:
Open Source noted that an unfunny group called “Taiko” was buying huge drums. In addition though, they again brought up MacGregor-Dennis’ $10,000 salary.
MacGregor-Dennis again didn’t address his salary. He said he supported the funding of concerts from the buffer fund, though he wanted it to be a more sustainable in the future. He also touted his experience as a member of the appropriations committee when he was a senator.
William Wagstaff noted things like textbook exchange would receive funding, though MacGregor-Dennis noted that such a service was already created for free and questioned the wisdom of spending money on it. Zimbroff responded by reading the website’s disclaimer – that it wouldn’t be deployed until Winter 2012.
7:40
Zimbroff-Wagstaff directly attacked Stewart’s platform, quoting from the Stanford Review and saying they were wildly unrealistic and way too ambitious. MacGregor-Dennis responded that quoting from the paper that endorsed them isn’t really unbiased, and noted that some ideas – such as a new full-time accountant for SSE – is already underway. “Sorry guys,” MacGregor-Dennis said.
7:35
Highlights so far:
Other than Open Source’s antics, the highlight have been exchanges over the current effectiveness of the ASSU Executive. MacGregor-Dennis has maintained that they have done more than students know, while Zimbroff-Wagstaff have said several times the ASSU Executive is disconnected and they would reconnect.
In addition, current ASSU senator Dan DeLong is holding up a sign: “Why did Stewart take a $10,000 salary last year?” It’s been raised several times but not addressed by MacGregor-Dennis. Important to note: Zimbroff-Wagstaff have not said they would decrease salary levels.
7:30
Experience
Robbie Zimbroff and William Wagstaff noted their experience in community organizations, club sports and Wagstaff’s fraternity experience prepared them to identify the “pitfalls of everyday student life.”
Open Source noted their experience in high school student council. “We may not be book smart, but we are street smart… and pasture smart.”
Stewart and Druthi detailed each other’s experience, again stressing the insider/outsider dynamic.
7:27
Who do candidates feel were good student government leaders?
Stewart: Michael Cruz, someone he said always works tirelessly through criticism on behalf of all students
The Chappie slate said Stewart was their ideal leader, noting several times the $10,000 salary of MacGregor-Dennis.
Robbie Zimbroff said Johnny Dorsey, who he felt was always approachable and available to students. They also added that ASSU experience doesn’t mean you’re qualified to be ASSU executive.
7:23
Is the ASSU disconnected from the Student body? If so, how would you work toward fixing that.
Stewart started by saying that he felt Angelina and Cruz were both connected to the student body, but they’d refocus. Druthi echoed the sentiment that the ASSU was slightly disconnected.
Open Source encouraged the audience to connect with them – after all, their platform is a wiki. Koning suggested if you like one of the candidates more than them, just edit their platform to make it theirs. They even offered to act like them and mimic their personalities…
Robbie Zimbroff said that he would seek to reconnect the ASSU Executive to the student body, noting interesting tactics used previously like videos released to the student body.
To close the question, Stewart said he felt that the Executive is largely unfairly portrayed as ineffective, as happens with many politicians.
7:16
One action item:
Zimbroff-Wagstaff noted the many groups that tutor in EPA – why can’t those be better coordinated, asked Wagstaff? Increased coordination between student groups would improve the campus.
Daniel Koning and Kian Ameli mostly talked about how student artists are “crappy”, and more money should be spent on arts.
MacGregor-Dennis focused on the November presidential election, and talked about how the ASSU could improve civic action. Druthi added that it would allow students to pursue their passions for next year.
7:11
Top student issues
Stewart said stereotypes, such as in the community centers, powerfully affecting these students is a huge issue. Reforming the ASSU Executive, expanding student services and having impact on communities.
William Wagstaff said people don’t feel like stakeholders in diversity. “One thing we really want to do it make sure people are stakeholders.” Robbie Zimbroff added that dealing with student life issues shouldn’t be outside the purview of the ASSU. If Late-night dining is what you want, Zimbroff said that was something the ASSU should be working on.
Kian Ameli for “Open Source” said he wanted to blow smoke in a baby’s face. Or something like that – I was a bit distracted by the exposed butt of the person refilling his drink. Conclusion was “Crowdsourcing, smoking and second-hand smoke for infants.”
6:57 PM
Debate begins! Mic trouble means voice projection is the critical issue of the debate so far. Opening statements begin.
Zimbroff-Wagstaff: Stressing the common-sense solution. Several problems student groups face. “We won’t try to solve all your problems.”
Open Source: The Chappie slate began by saying they will solve all your problems. Any problems you write on their wiki.
Stewart-Druthi: ASSU insider and ASSU outsider, pitching themselves as the most experienced within and from outside the ASSU.