Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Feb. 16, 2004, edition 1 / Page 7
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©ljp Mg (Bar HM BOARD EDITORIALS CALABRIA FOR SBP Matt Calabria possesses the experience and knowledge necessary to communicate effectively with University, town and state officials. Following an unprecedented, massive tuition increase, another incident in what has become an annual summer reading controversy and a legislature that is increasingly skeptical of University administrators, the next student body president at UNC-Chapel Hill must focus his or her attentions on the realm of external relations. Whether interacting with the legislature, navigating murky town-gown relationships, pres suring the UNC-system Board of Governors or serving as an effec tive member of the UNC-CH Board of Trustees, effectively managing relationships with the surrounding political institutions is a must for the next student body president. Student body president candidate Matt Calabria has the experience and knowledge that are funda mental prerequisites to filling that role adequately. Calabria has demonstrated an unrivaled passion for and understanding of the politics in which University affairs are mired. He has a concrete plan for government relations that covers all bases, from the UNC-system Board of Governors to the legisla ture. His UNC Lobby Corps will address the needs of students at all levels of governance, and his plan to issue a Statement of Students’ City Planning Priorities will set forth a clear strategy for dealing with students’ priorities in Chapel Hill and Carrboro so that future student body presidents have a path to follow While Calabria’s strength is his ability to represent the University and the student body, the consistency and depth of his platform show that he would not lose track of in-house chores while watching over the yard. He would not lose sight of priorities on campus. His platform reads like a laundry list of items, large and small, that will improve the livelihood of WHY NOT WEST? Lily West is a powerful speaker and has student interests in mind, but she has demonstrated a poor understanding of external relations. As a student body president candidate, Lily West has some notable advantages over Matt Calabria. She has more of a presence as a speaker, and the endorsements she has received dur ing this campaign attest to her particularly extensive efforts on behalf of minority affairs on campus. But alarms sound after examining her platform. By promising to “lobby for permanent student seats on boards and commissions for Chapel Hill- Carrboro and Orange County,” West is ignoring some of the legal and logical issues involved. Beyond the fact that a guaranteed voting council seat might not be legal, students haven’t earned a right to any reserved positions in local government, especially given that only 329 people ages 18 to 22 voted in the 2003 Chapel Hill municipal elections. West wasn’t one of those 329 people, despite the fact she’s registered in Orange County. Another question arises with West’s plan to trans form student government so that it acts as a “hub” for other organizations. Student government shouldn’t be the umbrella for student organizations on campus that’s more the territory of the Campus Y. But her major weakness doesn’t show up on paper. If she truly had intended to prove to The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board that she was the best person for the job, she should have been able to demonstrate a greater awareness of both Chapel Hill’s and the state’s governing bodies than she did. During her interview with the board, West dis turbingly failed to name a state legislator whom she hoped to work with— either supportive of or antag onistic toward the University. She also failed to name a Chapel Hill Town Council member with whom she would like to work, even though she has cited coun EDITOR'S NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, and were reached after open debate. The board consists of seven board members, the editorial page associate editor, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2003-04 DTH editor decided not to vote on the board and not to write board editorials. Slip latUj ©ar Hrrl PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Judy Pham, Anna Stokes, Kia Thacker ana Ada Wilson, representatives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Melanie Brooks, Elizabeth Crutcher, Megan Gilchrist Annie Godwin, Matt Eagle, Andy Lunnen, Shannon Plummer, Kelsey Scott and Anne Tackabery, Business and Advertising: Janet Gallagher-Cassel. director/general man ager; Chrissy Beck, director of market ing; Lisa Reichle, business manager; Tiffany Flomo, retail sates manager; Ellen Withrow, business assistant. Customer Service: Kimberly Craven, EDITORIAL STAFF Horatio, Allison Kerns, Emily Parker, Susan Rodriguez and Rebecca Wilhelm. Design: Daniel BeDen, Jessica Giroux, Tiffany Ward, Amy Dombrower, Jennifer Alliet, Brooke Moskovitz, Jenna Wooten and Laura Dingeldein. 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Assistant Editors: Philip McFee and Michael Pucci, arts & entertainment, Shannan Bowen, Chris Glazner and Dan Schwind, city; Jennifer Dailey, Katie Schwing, copy; Orla Buckley, Randi Demagistris and Nicole Neuman, Sn; Elliott Dube, editorial; Nikki ng, Kristen Williams, features, Adam Shupe, online, Kate Blackman and Laura Morton, photography; Dan Blank, Gaby Deßosa and Chris Gilfillan, sports; Stephanie Jordan and Laura Youngs, state & national; Joseph Schwartz, Brian Hudson and Emily Steel, university. Arts & Entertainment: Brian Millikin, senior writer, Kemp Baldwin, Tacque Kirksey, Leah Konen, Kate Lord, Garrett Manis, Becca Moore, Tom Previte, Jackie Randell, Tanner Slayden, Lauren Streib, Robbie Mackey and Jim Walsh. Cartoon: Britt Peck, Andrew Johnson, Fitz Holladay, Andrew Stevens and Chris Mattsson. City: Katie Grim, senior writer. Sarah Rabil, Sara Lewkowicz, Sarah Hancox, Erin Gibson, Emily Vasquez, Jennifer Pogue, Lindsey Listrom, Jane Novotny, Ashley Duncan, Meredith Lee Miller, Ayofemi Kirby, Antonio Velarde and Terrence Jordan. Copy: Emily Fisher, David Lorimet, Christina Rexrode, Jenny Doster, Tricia The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor, assistant editorial page editor and seven editorial writers. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should call 962-1163 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial questions should be directed to 962-0245. isn #10709436 OFFICE: Suite 104 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210, Carolina Union |T U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 3257, W.rnam Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 students at UNC slowly but surely. From Calabria’s pursuit of legal file-sharing to his plan to create a “cheat sheet” for student organizations seeking fund ing, he has developed a comprehensive plan to improve life for the entire student body. His determination and work ethic cannot be understated if Calabria promises to finish the job, the editorial board is sure that he will get it done. But a Calabria student body presidency would be lacking if he failed to implement the myriad ideas his competitors brought to the table. For instance, the creation of a Center for Creative Student Leadership is a staple from the platform of Calabria’s runoff competitor, Lily West. It is in the best interest of the University to devote a significant investment of time and resources into developing the leadership potential among its student body. Likewise, Matt Compton’s Students’ Speaker Bureau is essential to restoring the University’s image across North Carolina while taking a student’s per spective to communities from Murphey to Manteo. Compton’s idea for the Carolina Parents Network would be an invaluable aid in applying pressure to unsympathetic legislators, and his unique commit ment to public service, exemplified by the N.C. Service Corps, deserves to live on regardless of who wins the student body presidency. If Calabria wins Tuesday, he must work tirelessly to ensure that the ideas and hard work of others are not left behind once the race draws to a close. Students have the ability to tap a forceful trustee, an informed voice that will represent their interests to town and state governments more than ade quately when they log into Student Central to vote Tuesday. But students must vote at http://studentcen tral.unc.edu to make certain that voice is presented loudly and clearly next year. To that end, The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board emphatically endorses Matt Calabria for the office of student body president. Matt Calabria cil member Bill Strom on her platform. Her plans for the student body and for UNC are ambitious, but when it came time for her and Calabria to show whether or not they really had their facts straight, she proved herself to be woefully lacking. She admitted she had ample opportunity to edu cate herself about the candidates in last year’s munic ipal elections, but she didn’t. She told the editorial board that she felt uninspired to become informed. West ended up not voting in the contest, the results of which were destined to have major impli cations for the University. How will students, as Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents, be driven to vote if their leader has shown a lack of will to do so? Both in platform and in person, West has proven herself to be a highly intelligent individual. If she should want to gain a commanding knowledge of local government and the N.C. General Assembly, she would be able to do so. However, the question remains as to whether she even wants to learn. If external relations weren’t going to be so impor tant to the University next year, West would have greater viability as a student body president. But all signs point to external relations again being integral, and whoever wins will have the.opportunity to play a significant part in the University’s commu nication with both town and state government offi cials. Calabria has West beat in terms of preparation for and approach to this potential dialogue. Lily West, as one of the last two hopefuls standing in the runoff election, has the natural qualities required to be a decent student body president. But she has a long way to go before she reaches her full potential. account executives Advertising Production: Penny Persons, manager; Kathryn Klein and Karen Stone, assistants. Classified Production: Cindy Henley. Sports: Jamie Agin, Aaron Fitt and Brandon Parker, senior writers, Sarah McConnaghy and Carrie Sasser, sports copy; Randy Wellington, Brandon Coward, Tyler Dancy, Mary Duby, Briana Gorman, Alicia Jones, Daniel Malloy, Mike Martinez, David Moses, Hunter Powell, Rachel Soder, Andy Wales and John Zhang. State & National: Kavita Pillai, Chris Coletta, Dora Gonzalez Rodriguez, Shelley Mayo, Dan Piergallini, Adjoa Adolfo, Alex Granados, Kathryn Roebuck, Margaux Escutin, Amy Thomson, Erica Elliott, Nirav Vora and Tristan Shook. University: Jennifer Immel and Lynne Shallcross, senior writers, Will Arey, Arman Tolentino, Caroline Kornegay, Lizzie Stewart, Greg Parker, Iris Padgett, Joe Saunders, Torrye Jones, Jenny Ruby, Kelli Borbet, Laura BosL Mary Beth Bardin, Megan Davis, Ashlee Prevette, Rand Robins, Alice Dolson, Allison Parker, Amy Kingsley, Lauren Harris, Nora Warren, Claire Dorrier and Megan Serow. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. Opinion READERS* FORUM West knowledge wrongfully called into question TO THE EDITOR: I was interested to see The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board criticize Lily West’s knowledge about town and state government issues. As the head of Students for a Progressive Chapel Hill, the only UNC student organization dedi cated to dealing with local govern ment issues, I am proud to offer my complete endorsement of Lily to be our next student body president. Lily has the best platform for giving students a voice in local decision making. If she is elected, she is going to create an Advisory Committee to Local Government to communicate regularly with members of the Chapel Hill and Carrboro town councils. This shows Lily’s greater vision on two points. First of all, she is going to take a proactive approach to pushing student interests. That way, when issues come before the council that affect students, stu dent advocacy will come from a position of much greater legitima cy, because they will have already built strong relationships with elected officials. Making relations with Carrboro a priority also shows West’s greater vision. Thousands of UNC students live in Carrboro, yet it often has been been ignored by the executive branch. If Lily is elected, she will change that. ON THE DAY S NEWS “The margin is narrow, hut the responsibility is clear JOHN F. KENNEDY, u s president EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMENTARY SBP also-rans should keep on contributing to UNC I was at The Daily Tar Heel’s student body president forum a few weeks ago, listening to each of the eight candidates on the ballot deliver their shtick. I went with the idea of decid ing who to vote for, but that became less important as the forum progressed. I realized that every candidate had at least one great idea that would make UNC better. In front of me were some of UNC’s most talented and moti vated students. Only one of them would be elected, and that sad dened me. Not because I’m some sap who hates to see anyone lose. Not because I think we should have eight co-presidents. I was sad because I knew that when the elections came to an end, many of the candidates’ great ideas the ones that would benefit the University probably would be lost when they lost. That’s what tends to happen, after all. Sometimes the winner adopts a few planks from com petitors’ platforms. For the most part, however, the ideas are lost with the election. Unfortunately, the candidates’ leadership often is lost too. I’m not sure why, but student body president “losers” tend to disap pear after the election. Some take positions in the win ner’s Cabinet serving with varying degrees of success. Some take on positions with student organiza tions. A few graduate early. Some drop off the student activity radar completely. That’s what bugs me the most. Every year a pool of dynamic leaders and great ideas disap pears in a flurry of ballots. I know that pouring one’s ener gy and soul into a campaign and Lily also has a good plan for working with the legislature. She is going to revive the Carolina Lobbying Corps. This will allow members of the student body to be trained to become effective lobby ists on issues of concern to stu dents in the General Assembly. If Lily is elected student body president, I am confident that stu dent government will have the best relations with influential elected officials at both the local and state levels that it has ever had. Please join me tomorrow in voting Lily West to be our next student body president. Tom Jensen Sophomore Political Science Calabria is in tune with graduate student interests TO THE EDITOR: Asa graduate student, it is easy to overlook the student body pres ident elections. Can I even vote? Even if I can, why should I? What impact does the election have on my life? Well, I am here to tell you not only that you can vote, but also that one candidate above all others has the platform to make life easier for graduate students on campus. Matt Calabria’s platform shows that he understands the issues important to graduate students. He has a plan to enrich our expe- MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2004 ESI STEPHANIE HORVATH NOT THE BELL OR THE WELL losing is tough. I also know that sometimes people are tempted to step back, focus on something smaller and regroup. Nevertheless, I hate to see all that talent and potential to improve the University just evaporate. The “losers” still have the same great leadership skills, large groups of supporters, inspired ideas and strong drives. They also have one thing the winner doesn’t have: focus. The student body president’s term is not a straight line of marking platform goals off a checklist. He or she often deals with unexpected issues think this summer’s reading selection controversy that can distract from the platform. But the “losers” can put all their energy and devotion into the issue that matters the most to them whether that’s creating a lobby corps to send to the N.C. General Assembly, researching a sexuality studies major or finding parking solutions without those major distractions. They still can leave a great and impor tant mark on the University. If you need a jump-start, I have a few suggestions for the “losers.” I’d like to see Matt Compton create the Carolina Parents Network to help fight tuition increases or start the Students’ Distinguished Speaker Series to enhance intellectual life on cam pus. rience at Carolina by making it easier for graduate student spous es to get basketball tickets. His focus on increeising teaching Eissistant stipends demonstrates his emphasis on protecting our wallets. And his work to free up parking around campus libraries demon strates his commitment to making Carolina the best academic envi ronment it can be for each and every student. This attention to the issues important to graduate stu dents indicates why Matt received the most votes at the recent Graduate and Professional Student Federation candidates forum. Yes, you can vote this Hiesday and if you are a graduate student, the choice is clear: Matt Calabria for student body president. Christopher Brook Professional Student School of Law TO SUBMIT A LETTER: The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 300 words and must be typed, double-spaced, dated and signed by no more than two people. Students should include their year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and phone num ber. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity. Publication is not guaranteed. Bring let ters to the DTH office at Suite 104, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail them to editdesk@unc.edu. By Britt Peck, bmpeck@email.unc.edu It would be great if Faudlin Pierre would work with University transportation officials to improve U-bus service. If Laura Thomas lobbied for more transparency and accounta bility in University spending, it would affect the entire campus. Matt Liles’ idea of a leadership workshop for student organiza tions can be done with or without the presidential title and could be a godsend for struggling student organizations. John Walker’s Office for Out of-State Student Help Center would go a long way in helping students navigate issues particu lar to nonresidents. I’d like to see Ashley Castevens determine the feasibility of free testing for sexually transmitted diseases or push for the creation of a lobbying seminar. Finally, I want all the former candidates rallying students against unreasonable tuition increases and making student voices heard at meetings of the UNC Board of Trustees. No matter who emerges victo rious Tuesday, I hope the runner up will not stop serving the University just because he or she didn’t win the prize. All of the candidates were quick to tell voters during the election that they love UNC, have tons of experience and want to make UNC a better place. Well, none of that should have changed. They certainly weren’t in the race for prestige, resume building or killer basketball tick ets, right? The winner isn’t the only one who can affect change. I want to see the “losers” step up. Contact Stephanie Horvath at shorvath@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 110 years of editorialfreedom (!}p laily ®ar Mwl www.daiiytafheel.com ELYSEASHBURN EDITOR, 962-4086 OFFICE HOURS 2:15-3:15 PM MON., WED. DANIEL THIGPEN MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 JENNIFER SAMUELS PROJECTS MANAGING EDITOR. 962-0750 NATHAN DENNY EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, 962-0750 BROOK R. CORWIN UNIVERSITY EDITOR, 962-0372 EMMA BURGIN CITY EDITOR, 962-4209 CLEVE R. WOOTSON JR. STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR. 962-4103 BRIAN MACPHERSON SPORTS EDITOR, 962-4710 MICHELLE JARBOE FEATURES EDITOR. 962-4214 NICK PARKER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, 962-4214 ALEX OBREGON COPY EDITOR, 962-4103 BRIAN CASSELLA PHOTO EDITOR, 962-0750 MICHELLE KUTTNER DESIGN EDITOR, 962-0750 KRISTEN OLIVER ONLINE EDITOR, 962-0750 JOHN FRANK PROJECTS TEAM LEADER, 962-0246 ERIC GAUTSCHI OMBUDSMAN If you have any concerns or comments about our coverage, please contact Ombudsman Eric Gautschi at gautschi@email.unc.edu or 918-1311. 7
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