The Colby Echo

Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Opinions

When evaluating the candidates for the Student Government Association presidency we consider three factors. We first read and evaluate their platforms for fresh ideas and feasibility. Second, we attend the SGA debate and take note of how the candidates handle themselves on their feet and how they speak about their candidacy, Finally, we look at each pair of candidates' backgrounds on campus, and how their experience will benefit them in fulfilling the student government's highest posts.

Although small, the turnout for this year's presidency is the most impressive in recent elections. In terms of SGA experience, the six candidates had among them 14 semesters of experience on Presidents' Council, four on the SGA executive board, and numerous other distinctions outside of the government. Furthermore, all six demonstrated a desire and aptitude for the job during the debate and through their platforms.

After evaluating the three tickets in this year's election, one stands above the other two as the clear choice for next year's leadership. While all the pairs have significant SGA experience, one duo's experience in various capacities with the SGA, as well as myriad other campus responsibilities, and the familiarity dealing with trustees, staff and administrators for these positions puts them ahead of the rest in that category. While all three platforms included interesting and realistic elements, one balanced specific ideas with broad themes to produce the most realistic and exciting platform. Finally, at the debate one pair stood above the others because of the passion and knowledge with which they spoke, and the way each of their responses were eloquent, and rarely overlapped what the other had to say. For these three reasons, the Echo endorses Nicholas Cade '08 and Jeffrey Mullins '08 for 2007-08 SGA President and Vice President.

As Cade and Mullins pointed out in the closing remarks of the debate, candidates need to have more than a lot of good ideas to be effective in serving the student body. Ability and experience in implementing ideas from others (such as those suggested by Poulos, Crim, Frechette, and Boyce) are perhaps more important than having the ideas. The Echo feels that Cade and Mullins would be best suited in both capability and proficiency in acting as President and Vice-President.

But we are not done there.

While we saw many familiar ideas in the platforms (Jitney/shuttle bus reform, reaching out to the community, making PC members more accountable, etc.), there were new ideas and specific plans for old issues that are certainly worth pursuing.

Continued...

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