North Carolina Newspapers

8The Daily Tar HeelThursday, February 9, 1984 Ijp latlg ular 1 91st year of editorial freedom Kerry DeRochi, Editor Eddie Woo ten, Managing Editor CHARLES ElLMAKER, Associate Editor KELLY SIMMONS, University Editor KYLE MARSHALL, State and National Editor MICHAEL DESlSTI , Sports Editor Melissa Moore, News Editor FRANK BRUNI, Associate Editor Michael Toole, City Editor KAREN FlSHER, Features Editor Jeff Grove, Arts Editor CHARLES W. LeDFORD, Photography Editor 1 For president, Parker This year's student is fortunate. From the headstrong candor of Susan Gaddy to the heady rhetoric of James Exum, there exists a host of candidates for student body president who are both experienced and earnest, innovative and idealistic. All citing the ineffectiveness of the Kevin Monroe administration and untapped potential for student in volvement in university affairs, each candidate promises to inject into student government not only new ideas but also a much-needed vitality. The challenge faced by voters in next week's elections is choosing from this impressive field of candidates the one person most likely to follow through on that promise. We believe that candidate is Paul Parker. Of the seven candidates running for the position, not one is without virtue. Gaddy boasts extensive past experience in student government and a willingness to confront difficult issues. Her campaign's focus on what she perceives as the problems faced by women at UNC, however, ignores other issues important to all students. Past experience in student government also distinguishes James Exum and Greg Hecht. Exum's ideas for the restructuring of the 11 commit tees in student government into three areas governmental relations, student affairs and faculty and administration reflect his recognition of student government's present inertia, but do not guarantee a solution to that problem. Likewise, Hecht's concentration on the broader pro blems confronting students, such as phone systems and food contracts, fails to recognize that these matters are ultimately in the hands of the administration and that student government might be more effective in working with issues upon which it could exert a greater influence. Hecht's research skills and impressive understanding of university af fairs, however, would make him an invaluable asset to any administra tion. Chip Medlin and Mark Dalton both offer student government refreshing chances for change, Medlin in his proposals for increased stu dent involvement, Dalton in the unique perspective his experience as Residence Hall Association president this past year has provided him. Both, however, offer few specific proposals. The ubiquitous Frank Winstead also stresses increased student involvement in campus govern ment but has little conception of how to encourage the student par ticipation he advocates. Unlike most of his opponents, Paul Parker has incorporated into his campaign practicality, specific proposals, and an emphasis upon issues important to each and every student at UNC. Parker realizes the need for both an increase in the student fee and the allocation of student funds for student television productions. His proposals for restructuring student government highlight the emergence of project-specific task forces to replace what he aptly terms "paper shuffling committees.'' Parker's past accomplishments demonstrate both his effectiveness as . a leader and his concern for students. Perhaps most striking is his work as founder and director of the Student Part-Time Employment Service, an organization which in its first year located more than 1 ,500 jobs for students. Parker's experience also includes work as the National Vice President for the American Association of University Students and as an executive assistant to Monroe. Parker is not the only qualified candidate for student body president, but under close scrutiny he emerges as the most qualified candidate. Although others could do the job well, Parker's detailed proposals and deep understanding of student government give promise that he is the candidate most likely to win back the respect for student government UNC students once felt. For editor, Hiday Each year, the most difficult endorsement for The Daily Tar Heel to make is that in the race for editor. It's a decision that involves weighing the good and bad points of friends who have worked with us for the good part of a year. John Conway, Jeff Hiday and Christine Manuel each have shown a dedication to the DTH; they've spent late nights editing stories and early mornings delivering Saturday Sports editions to Kenan Stadium. They were fine staff members and they would make fine editors. What distinguishes Jeff Hiday from the other two three if you in clude the ubiquitous Frank Winstead is his complete understanding of how the newspaper operates. Hiday has served as associate editor and summer editor of the weekly Tar Heel, two positions that have enabled him to work closely with the editorial policy and finances of the paper. This experience, combined with years of work at several North Carolina newspapers, has given him the ability to propose ideas that will change and improve the DTH, not just win student votes. If elected, he will be able to lead the paper forward, making it a better student newspaper. That is not to say that as a candidate Hiday has the monopoly on abili ty or willingness to work. While city editor, Conway worked hard to im prove the coverage of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, earning the paper a reputation among town officials of being able to gauge and explore town concerns. As state and national editor, Manuel handled a staff of writers and pushed them to excel in covering North Carolina. To most students, these lists of experience make the candidates look and sound alike; however, it is in the particulars of the platforms that we make the distinction. Conway's idea for reducing the paper's printing costs ignores both the binding obligations of the current contract and the price reductions won by the DTH this year. Manuel's assertion that an ombudsman and the DTH Board of Directors would decide editorial policy reflects a lack of understanding of what the board's role is and should be, that of working with finances, not news judgment. It is Hiday who has proposed realistic changes to the paper, changes that students will be able to see. He has advocated bringing the "character" back to the DTH, something often lost in the routine work. While Manuel and Conway both have spoken of special coverage for the 1984 national elections, Hiday has promised a desk of writers able to develop expertise in the different races. Furthermore, Hiday has designed a new business desk for the paper geared to bringing students pertinent economic and career news. : Proposing new ideas for the paper when you've been a close part of it isn't easy. But Hiday has demonstrated an ability to discern the paper's weaknesses and then proposing how to strengthen them. Hiday has made no guarantees of space, because he knows that with today's financial limitations, no such guarantees can exist. He rejects the idea of an in termediary to work with students, because he, as an elected official, should be responsible to the entire campus. And though either Conway or Manuel would be able to adequately fulfill the duties of editor, it is Hi day who possesses the talent and insight to allow the DTH to grow as a professional and perceptive newspaper. PRESIDENT'S RACE Candidates discuss their views Editor's note: The Daily Tar Heel asked student body president candidates Mark Dalton James Exum, Susan Gaddy, Greg Hecht, Chip Medlin, Paul Parker and Frank Winstead to respond to four questions relevant to their can didacies. The questions and answers follow. Mark Dalton is a write-in candidate. ? What is student government? Dalton: According to many students on this campus, Student Government is absolutely nothing. Even most of the candidates are saying that Student Government is inactive. Does it not seem strange that the people who have served in Suite C this year are saying to you, "Student government does not work," but in the next breath they tell you how valuable they were to you while they were in Student Govern ment? Students need to ask the ques tion: why weren't some of your ideas fulfilled this year? In order to define Student Govern ment, one needs something to start with. Even though I cannot tell you what Student Government is, I can ex- ' plain what it could be. Student Govern ment Should oe taiten less seriously when candidates are promising you many things that are beyond their own individual power. Student Government should deal with the issues as they come to the forefront: telephone service, minority problems, town relations and alcohol legislation. On the other hand, Student Government should provide FUN campus wide events. Exum: SGA consists of the executive, judicial and legislative branches. It is he official channel through which students can 1) play a major role in the formulation of University policy, 2) provide student self-governance over the Honor Code and 3) oversee the allo cation of the Student Activities Fees. Gaddy: By definition, SG is an insti tution which consists of the executive, judicial and legislative branches. For me, SG has always been people. People who work together and sometimes individuals working against each other to help make the UNC community a better place to live for all of us. Hecht: Student Government is a group of individuals that can bind to gether to accomplish certain tasks con cerning our phone service, food service, academic policies, etc. when they have realistic means. Tasks must be project specific . and realistic. Our Student Government can even get the ad ministration to work for students with proper research and resolution. Medlin: Right now ineffective. What it can be is a voice, a very power ful voice of the students, expressing and promoting our concerns and desires throughout the University community. Greg Hecht Parker: This is a complicated ques tion because what Student Government is and what it should actually be are totally opposite. Frankly, Student Government is an organization which has bogged itself down and lost student confidence with broad, paper-shuffling committees that have no direction and have not attacked the issues which really make a dif ference to us. This system supports in activity and only serves to pad resumes. What Student Government can and should be is the mechanism to solve our problems rather than just complain about them. The student body president must serve as the central voice to ad vocate those concerns and initiate their resolution. Winstead: At present, a resume ser vice. What is the biggest problem facing Student Government? Dalton: The biggest problem facing Student Government is that students don't give a damn. This problem has been perpetuated year after year because candidates promise too much, deliver too little, and disappoint too many students. Exum: Biggest problem? The biggest problem is that the executive branch has a potential that is as of yet unrealized. The student body president has an "open door" to key faculty members and administrators. Our student body president is a voting member of the in fluential Board of Trustees. The prob lem lies not in a lack of power but rather it stems from the inability andor hesitancy of Student Government leaders to effectively use the resources available to have an impact on aspects of student life. We , can no longer tolerate a government that is re-active to finalized administrative decisions. Gaddy: I would compare the execu tive branch to a large department store that has forgotten who its customers are: The students at UNC. To extend this free-enterprise analogy, right now we are having an annual winter clearance sale to make room for the new spring 1984 style merchandise. Hecht: There are several. High phone installation rates and much confusion about possible systems exist. As the tele communications chairman, Housing, and Southern Bell told me, leasing a Centrex system will cost students the same installation rate each year plus a monthly service charge of $15 to $27 in stead of $10 now. Owning this system would cost millions of dollars. The food service needs some lower prices, though ARA has made some major improve ments. Several students took classes like Math 30 where TA's did not keep up with standarized test materials. In addi tion, students often withdraw from school for medical illness or traumatic experience (reasons beyond their con trol). Finally, we heed to inform stu dents about student fees and govern ment through a newsletter, hot line, DTH letters, etc. James Exum Medlin: Students perceive their government and its leaders as an entity that promise the same thing year in and year out.. They just say it differently at campaign time. Confidence needs to be restored in Student Government; until such time, it will remain ineffective. Parker:' After years of empty pro mises and disappointments, convincing students that there is a reason to look closely at candidates is a major problem facing Student Government now. If we don't choose carefully then we will be unable to solve the biggest prob lem that of turning Student Govern ment into a dynamic body which pro vides tangible results. Instead, we will have another year where the issues will be forgotten and left untouched. There is a difference between the can didates. While some only speak in broad generalities, J know what the issues are and how to put solutions with these problems. What I have ac complished these past three years demonstrates what I can do as presi dent, not just promise as a candidate. I founded and directed the Student Part Time Employment Service. SPTES found over 3,000 jobs for students in the past two years and is the largest, student-run employment service in the nation. Because of its success, it has been listed in the New York Times Selective Guide to Colleges as an attrac tion to UNC. As national vice president for the American Association of University Students, I have been able to get over $2,000 worth of computer ser vice for campus organizations and am running the national Intercollegiate Conference, which will be held here in March. It will bring over 200 students from all over the United States, national speakers, and presentations we can all participate m. Y- A) Paul Parker Winstead: The biggest problem is a student body which either docs not feel it is a part of Student Government or just does not need Student Govern ment. I feel the students think of their government as being like any other campus organization. If it does not of fer something you want, you do not have a reason to get involved. tT4lH Mark Dalton How would you solve that problem? Dalton: The solution to this problem is to make Student Government visible. Student Government does not need the , type of visibility that constantly shows reactive responses. Instead, it needs to initiate programs and provide research ed, viable options to forthcoming prob lems. In order to make Student Govern ment visible, students need to see tangi ble results: a traditional Homecoming, more "social events" cable TV in resi dence halls, protected alcohol privileges and lower textbook and food prices. The major goal of my administration would be to make Student Government visible and therefore more effective us ing these ideas and lots of student input. Exum: Student Government commit tees must have specific objectives and form a working relationship with related administration departments. The student body president must not hesitate to use the powers and influence of the presidency to push down book prices via publishing the name of in structors who submit late book re quests, enhance student input in teacher evaluation via expansion and improve ment of the Carolina Course Review and to deal straight with the student body in recognizing that a new phone system is impractical, improbable and exorbitantly expensive. Cosmetic changes of the current Stu dent Government structure is not suf ficient. We can only have effective government through strong leadership. I have helped to turn around the legis lative branch. I'm ready to take on the executive branch. Gaddy: The way I would contribute to the executive branch were I student body president, would be to keep in mind why I am in business; as student body president I would need to remember who my customers are, who pays my scholarshipsalary and who bought my "merchandise," i.e., my ideas, etc., to put me into the office. Specifically, Student Government needs to perform basic functions: that of stu dent advocate and voice and that of central service organization for students as well as other campus groups. Chip Medlin Hecht: Food services can be improv ed through cooperation, competition or replacement. We've asked some other competitors like Morrison's chain to bid on the contract when it expires to break up a monopoly-type attitude. If ARA wants to keep its contract it will have to continue to improve, as it has done cur rently by adding a dietician, lowering some prices and increasing some quali ty. We can' cooperate with ARA as in the past. For phones, we need to gain legislative limits on installation rates, the only way to decrease monopoly rates, and examine temporary discon nect and systems such as dormitory communication service. For academics, a student-faculty grievance committee could enable faculty to check other faculty and deter Math 30-type abuse. The date needs to be extended for tui tion compensation deadlines. Medlin: Through communication. We need a visible president, one who is approachable and willing to go where students are and listen to them. We need an individual who can communicate ef fectively with students and not just the crowd at Suite C. Parker: My focus is change, not maintenance, because it is change that is needed. With a transient student body and a transient Student Government you have to look at what can actually be done in a year. I will replace the current system with a project-specific ad ministration, which will eliminate the broad, paper-shuffling committees and concentrate on finding and implemen ting solutions to real problems. Well defined plans and ideas from the start will keep Student Government from slipping back into inefficiency. In this way we can affect student employment, campus prices, the phone system, our academics, and any issues that come up. Once Student Government has proven it can take the ball and not fumble it on these issues, then it will regain legitimacy and student confidence. Winstead: I hope I will be able to in spire more people to become involved through my program of allowing every student who wishes to be involved in Student Government to be allowed to try. If this does not work, I would seek a referendum to be put before the stu dent body. This referendum would ask the students if they preferred that the Student Government remain as it is or if they preferred it to be dissolved and their student fees returned. Susan Gaddy What is your biggest weakness? Dalton: My biggest weakness is that I am an avid Minnesota Vikings fan. Seriously, though, I need to force myself to allow other people to do their own work. I rarely assign tasks that I would not, and often do, help with. As a result, I become overextended. Exum: Stubbornness. I believe that any situation can be improved if you have faith. This innate stubbornness will not allow me to rest until the task has been completed. No matter how hopeless that task may appear. Gaddy: My biggest weakness is also my best strength as a candidate for stu dent body president. I am extremely obstinate when I believe in what I am doing and also when I feel I am right. Most recently, my decision to run for this office has tested my stubbornness. No one could successfully talk me out of running for president. My only regret is that no one could talk some of my op ponents out of running also so that I could have an even better chance of winning! Hecht: My biggest weakness is fear. I have the fear that my ideals may be too high. I've worked for over 40 hours on researching the projects I'm suggesting. My fear is that they will not become a reality. Some projects might tak6 two years to accomplish. I'll work as hard as I can to try to make these projects a reality. I feel that the means I suggest are concrete. I hope they are because I want Student Government to ac complish a lot for students. Medlin: This is a tough question: I try to have fun with my personal in volvements, yet sometimes people get the impression I'm not serious enough and that's not the case. ' Frank Winstead Parker: I would be a better student body president than I am a student body president candidate. I never learn ed to play political games, and from what I've seen I don't think I want to start now; I decided my goal is to be stu dent body president, but I don't want to win at any cost. Unfortunately, that doesn't always win elections. Winstead: My biggest weakness is my faith in the ability of those with leader ship capabilities to stand out in the massive crowds I seek to bring into my administration.