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Show Wednesday, February 22, 1989 Chronicle - Page Two On The 1989 ASUU Elections FOCU Acftfoim '8's lack off :charisim may be nits downfall By Christian Aggeler Chronicle ASUU election reporter After being buried by more than 600 votes in the primary elections. Bill Samson and Fabio Volpe of the Action '89 Party are facing an uphill battle as they enter today's and Thursday's finals. Running on a platform of maintaining the quality of education at the University of Utah and increasing communication between ASUU and student groups, Samson and Volpe seem to have their priorities in order. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear their message has been reaching enough U. students. :' A . NEWS ANALYSIS 'ft Some observers believe much of front-runnMolonai Hola's more than 1,000 primary votes came from strong LDSSA support. Although Samson is the closest thing this election has to a "Greek candidate," it doesn't look as if he has elicited the same unwavering support from the more than 1,500 members of those er social organizations. Both Samson and Volpe have an undeniable advantage in ASUU experience. While Hola has absolutely no experience in student government, the Action '89 presidential hopeful has served as chairman of the ASUU Academic Affairs Board. Running mate Volpe served as an ASUU Assembly committee chairman this year. Although much of his platform consists of "stock issues" shared by his opponent, Samson has some innovative ideas to improve the functioning of ASUU. As a viable alternative to Hola's "retreat," Samson has promoted the idea of giving automatic positions on the ASUU Executive Cabinet to student group leaders. Such a solution would appear to provide the "student unity" throughout the academic year. In addition, Samson and Volpe have proposed the publishing of a "recipe book" to be distributed to student groups seeking funds from ASUU. This "recipe book" is a common-sens- e plan to facilitate the road through student government's red tape. much-ballyhoo- Despite By ed loifty J 'W'Z 4 Action '89 candidates Fabio Volpe, left, and Bill Samson feel their ASUU experience makes them the most qualified candidates in this election. However, the two have failed to show much enthusiasm during their campaign. If diversity is to be a part of next year's ASUU don a Ute football helmet. Samson may have sensed this fact on primary Assembly, one would expect an international student d in election night, when he said the results indicated a like Volpe to institute it. Volpe is also the workings of the Assembly, and would undoubtedly "popularity contest." d show than this year's run a By failing to state their main objectives in a concrete manner during campus debates, Samson and Volpe administration. One must ask why, then, Action '89 came in such a have exacerbated the problem. The two candidates distant second place to Hola in the primaries. The have failed to define themselves in the eyes of the U. answer has nothing to do with platforms or experience, student body. Although the "more unity, no apathy" ' but delivery. platform of their opponents might be simple and In this ASUU election, like every election, the way in ignorantly optimistic, at least it is identifiable, With final elections here, Samson and Volpe either which a candidate presents himself and his ideas is need the Greek system solidly behind them or an is as as what he bit every saying, important Unfortunately, Samson has not displayed an unexpected surge of support from the student body at overabundant amount of charisma or enthusiasm large to upset the mighty Involving U. Party. It they during campaign appearances. Even more unfortunate lose, it will be because they and their ideas faded in the for Action '89, Hola is one of the more popular men to large shadow of Hola. well-verse- better-organize- platform, Involving U. stands by it at the Utah Legislature to raising funds for the Marriott Library, he maintains "unity" of students is Scott Stone Chronicle ASUU reporter The Involving U. Party is relying on the simple message of "unity eliminates apathy" to carry its candidates to victory in the final election Wednesday and Thursday. Candidates Molonai Hola and John Lund say it's their goal to bring all of the student groups at the University of Utah together to form a unified front NEWS ANALYSIS and a single voice for students. Hola claims "unity" will be the key to everything in his administration. From improving student lobbying the answer. This is where a sincere student who wants to see the student body come together ignores reality. He only has to look to the 1,700 students who voted from a student body of 24,000 in the primary election to see 'apathy. Another resounding message of apathy Hola will be confronted with is last year's election of the Whookies and their Who Cares? platform. Involving Us ideas for "unity" include plans to mail discount cards to make students more aware of what's available to them. One of their proposals calls for a one-da- y lobbying effort in which "thousands of students" Would rally at the State Capitol to show legislators their support for higher education. Another plan is to bring all student leaders from all campus student groups together on a three-da- y retreat to create a basis for "unity." It is this final proposal of a three-da- y retreat that seems the most unrealistic. With more, than 200 student groups on campus, how can anyone gather these different individuals into one cohesive unit? Election forums held in the past several weeks have indicated that all three of Hola's opponents agreed the idea of a retreat was not feasible and in some cases "ludicrous." r Hola is not concerned with the negative talk surrounding his idea for a retreat and said it is this type of motivational leadership that will make his ASUU candidacy a success. Another hurdle Hola will have to overcome is his lack of experience in ASUU policy and procedure. Hola admitted he is a novice as far as ASUU goes, but said his experience as president of LDSSA will be pre-prima- ry sufficient to lead students. Fortunately, Lund has served as an ASUU Assembly delegate this past year and, would bring valuable experience to the position of chairman in the Assembly. The only drawback is his failure to actively sponsor or legislation this past year. His ideas for decreasing the perennial problem of attendance at Assembly meetings and increasing the flow of information on legislation to delegates are much needed. Another good idea of Lund's is to establish a policy concerning the order and presentation of bills to the or - Assembly. This idea could finally give fair, representation to bills no matter their position on the debate calendar. Currently, the Assembly debate calendar is put together in the order the legislation is received. This results in bills at the beginning being discussed in depth, while the bills at the end of the calendar are often pushed through because of time limitations. Overlooking Hola's tendency to not deal with specifics, he is a candidate that is willing to say he has "pride; in the U.'- -a trait not often found in student politicians. His ideas for student "lobbying, library g and the involvement of students on campus might not be specific or realistic, but his intentions are. As a philosopher once said, "It is sometimes better to be an idealist than a cynic." ' ' fund-raisin- non-tradition- 7,1V1 Molonai Hola, left, and John Lund, presidential and vice presidential candidates for the Involving U. Party, plan to eliminate student apathy through unity, a goal that is more idealistic than realistic. A . 1 1 . , , t t , - al . |
