In today's elections, students will choose their Tufts Community Union (TCU) president for the 2006-2007 academic year. Also included on this ballot are referenda to amend the TCU Constitution and to gauge support for wind power at Tufts. These three ballot items are explored in previous Daily coverage; respectively:
"What you need to know about the candidates for TCU president" (Wed. Apr. 19)
"Picking a president - and changing the TCU Constitution?" (Tues. Apr. 18)
"Wind power referendum overturned" (Tues. Apr. 5)
All of these articles can be read at www.tuftsdaily.com.
Members of the TCU Elections Board (ELBO) moderated a short debate last night between the three remaining candidates for TCU president.
Juniors Denise Lyn-Shue, Harish Perkari and Mitch Robinson all gave short opening statements before responding to questions posed by ELBO.
Perkari stressed his FORWARD platform as well as his previous leadership experience on the Senate. The letters of FORWARD stand for Facilities improvements, Off-campus community building, Reaching out to alumni, Wireless expansion, Academic improvement, Residential dorm renovation and Dialogue.
Robinson elaborated on three main points during his opening address: efficiently managing the student activities fee, improving Tufts' image and building better ties with the community.
He spoke from personal experience about Tufts' lack of name recognition in his home state of Georgia.
"I want Tufts' image to stand as tall as its reputation," Robinson said.
Lyn-Shue spoke of improving inter-student communication, student-administrator communication and campus-community relations. She also expressed a desire to improve two specific aspects of Tufts' current advising program. Lyn-Shue wants to see better training implemented for freshman
faculty advisors as well as a more organized approach to the process of sophomore advisor selection.
"I'd like to bring the focus of the administration back to the current students at Tufts," said Lyn-Shue, adding that in her opinion, too much energy is spent appealing to pre-frosh or alumni.
When asked by an ELBO moderator to name one quality which set them apart from their opponents, Perkari singled out dedication, Robinson named understanding and Lyn-Shue said approachability.
Perkari said that his experience as TCU treasurer this year has given him the opportunity to see how tasks can be effectively be completed in the Senate. He also said that if elected, he would make a bigger push to bring the Senate to the student body.
"Moving towards a model where [senators] go to students would really benefit all students regardless of their involvement in the process," Perkari said.
Throughout the evening, Robinson - who became a senator this past semester - emphasized the value of his experiences in other, non-senate organizations.
"I can bring something to the table that has not been seen...in a long time," Robinson said.
Lyn-Shue emphasized her desire to listen, as well as communicate, effectively.
"As a good president, I think what you really need to do is listen," Lyn-Shue said. "Without knowing, how can you really act?"
