March 7,

if: The ’

.j'QAR

P's“.

(.-

U.P.E.l.

The student newspaper

of

the University of Prince Edward Island.

- Volume 2, Issue 20

The presidentialgladiators

For all the candidate interviews in this week ‘3 Gem, a list

0] questions

for each posuion was prepared. The same

’reporter covered all contenders_jor each position, and for each position» the length of articles was kept equal. Inter- views are arranged alphabetically. For further information,

call us at 387.

Gordon Cobb

By John Pendergast

Third arts student Gordon Cobb is a contender for the position of Student Union President. The Morell native considers an’ “open door” to be the basic theme of his campaign.

In his platform he outlined the basic points:

First, he doe not'want to see the Student Union “operated as a business”. In his opinion, “Profit is not the basic motive for a student union”.

Secondly, Gordon is against the notion that the Student Union should control the academic and social life Oi" the student population. In- stead, “the facilitation of all these activities should be the prime motive for‘the Student Union”. This entails not being afraid to 'hand out money to worthwhile student organizations. Gordon gave the recent Engineering Society attempt and the Model U.N. incident as examples.

Gordon , considers that there are a few structural changes needed in the student union. .

The first change deals with the constitution and its

. adequate

rules on acclaimation. At pre- I

sent anybody can, be ac- claimed to a position if there are no other candidates running. However, Gordon would like candidates in the future to make a formal presentation of themselves so their position can be argued and debated beforehand. Another possible change would be a custom of candi- dates for the positions of student senators and faculty

representatives arguing and I

debating for their positions during election time.

This would not be done in the same manner as the executive speeches, but it Would be similar.

In speaking of various student issues. Gordon em— phasized the cost of living (eg. tuition, residence fees, etc.).

He proposes the establish-

.ment of student discounts

with local businesses for such items as clothing, food, and transport.

Another pressing issue is jobs. According to Gordon, our students need to have an academic back- ground in order to gain the respect of the community. An efficient Student Union can enhance the university’s

reputation by promotion worthwhile causes such as academic improvement, and the establishment/of better facilities (he mentioned sports as an example.) Gordon also wants to address the issue of student alienation. Whether a student, is interested in business, sports, or poetry, he or she should be respected by other

opinion need to be respected, and sometimes there will be conflict. This is only natural. However, there should be

'dialogue among groups in

order to reach a consensus.

Gordon considers himself very qualified in the admini— strative field because of his experience on Senate, the Search Committee for Presi- dent, and Student Council.

level in the university admini- stration.

However, he thinks the relationship between a Stu- dent Union and the admini- stration should be “purely business,” or' there will be

students. Differences of He knows many at the upper a danger 0f conflict of interest. ment avenues should be

Bob l-Ianf, a third year Arts student majoring in Psychology, is in the running

.for President of the Student

Union.

The theme of Bob’s cam- paign is to improve line sof communic‘atiOn and to make the Student Union more active.

He considers better com- munication to be paramount to his platform. At present, he says there are students who do not know who any

of the current executive members of I the Student Union are.

The best way is for the future executive to use diplomacy. _

Personal experience has taught me that it is much better to talk with people, become informed, and make logical decisions,” he ,says.

He prefers his approach to

outright confrontation.

Bob Hanf

Bob wants to work with the various groups on campus in order to open the lines of communication.

Issues that Bob empha- sixes include the raising of tuition fees by the university. Bob wants to lobby the re- spective seats of- government. In his opinion, “a university education should not go only to those who can afford it”.

Secondly, Bob discussed the sad condition of this university’s sports facilities, This is deplorable for an institution with many top quality sports teams, he says.

Bob promises that he will lobby the government in order to achieve new sports facilities that should have been constructed fifteen years ago.

Other issues Bob feels strongly about concern the funding of university educa-

' tion. Bob considers that both

the corporate and govern-

investigated in this regard.

As far as jobs for stu- dents are concerned, Bob wants to establish relations with the community at large. This will, open the door to opportunity once a student has graduated.

“It is a waste of minds,” in Bob’s opinion, “if a student cannot return to school in the fall”.

Bob has much experience with the U.P.E.I. administra- tion in his present job as resident assistant.

Furthermore, he is Speaker for the Student Union, and a student representative on the department of psychology.

In conclusion, Bob would appreciate being President for the year of 1985-86 and would like to wish his

opponents good luck.

I _ — _ — — S Za k but three executive positions is very responsible and cares ‘ on Council shows a lack of what students think. It is . participation on students’ important to let them know BYJOI'“ Pendel'gas’t - for the Student Union. He

According to Steve Zakem, the Student Union needs to be more efficient and re— sponsive to the needs of students.

This is the main platform of the third year Business student running for the position of Student Union President.

If elected, Steve does not

cent over last_year. This is

was seeking.

inflation.i lee roar

in line with the ommended by the Maritime Provinces Higher Educati0n Commission, but falls short of the 5 or 6 per eent the Board of Governors

‘The provincial government has approved an increase in funding to UPEI of h.5 per

increase rec-

. Sebdent Union President Michelle Dorsey. Says the University will=probably have to make cuts in its budget for next year. as

taken into account. ofiweovernors will nowiha

it .

Budget reveals increases '

plan any sweeping changes

ye the|

would like to establish more advisory committees. These committees would be used to investigate the needs of stu- dents on campus.

In Steve’s opinion, the committees for advertising and social events should be improved. The present election, in Steve’s opinion, could have benefitted from this, as the acclamation of all

part which may have been due to lack of knowledge.

Another change that Steve would make concerns the workings of the Student Council meetings: In his view they are too long and drawn out. - Instead, he proposes that sub-organizations and. other groups needing assistance file a request a few weeks in advance. This would give Council plenty of time to discuss the proposal.

The issues that Steve would like to address include the rise in tuition fees and the direction of [the university According to Steve, “It is of great concern to students if university funding is reduced and certain programs are slashed”.

As President, Steve would want to Work with the admi-

A nistration in order to voice

the concerns of students on these issues.

On reflecting on his past experience on the Board of Governors, Steve considers

how we feel and they will act accordingly.”

Steve thinks the only solution to the rising in student fees is to continue the practices of current S.U. president Michelle Dorsey. This entailed lobbying the provincial government for assistance.

Steve also considers stu- dent jobs toibe an important issue. If he is elected he will lobby for this concern and explore every possible avenue in this area. ' V

In Steve’s opinion, the confrontation-conflict 'tactic is not very effective but should only be used as a last resort.

Steve considers himself very proficient in the field of administration. He is cur- rently a S.U. member on the Board of Governors and has participated in many committees as a result.

In conclusion, Steve wishes his opponents the best of luck and hopes that everyone involved will conduct himself

u , , reaffirms?! taken”: