-web admin

Thanks though!!

"I'll comfirm it [sic]. I was there.

In fact, I cautioned them!"

Kirkland was at that meeting because of his current position. Any information he acquired at that meeting was a result of him being the sitting USSU President. It's great that he wants to promote a candidate but using information he got as a result of his position to attempt to discredit another candidate is unprofessional and inappropriate. Kirkland is trying to frame the issue as an attempt to silence him to distract from his conduct. A profession would say 'you're right, I'm sorry' and move along campaigning for Scott in a positive way. Instead, he's trying to avoid responsibility for his actions.

I would never use my position in the USSU to advocate for a candidate, as it is strictly forbidden in the USSU bylaw. Yet, as a fellow student my opinions in the election are no less valid than are your own. Thus while I have never used my title or position in any manner to this end, I will continue to advocate for the candidate I feel would best represent me as a student, and ensure the success of the USSU.

It is my opinion as a student that Scott Hitchings has done an amazing job this year. He has brought forward motions to manage budget lines as they have existed, been receptive to student concerns and removed budget lines where needed, advanced initiatives promoting campus club ratifications and funding, and created strategy documents to help guide the setting of fees for future years.

He has a solid plan for the coming year, and unlike uneducated candidates, has a solid grasp of a multi-million dollar budget, a complex ongoing building project, and an in-depth working knowledge of where our business have been, where they are going, and the potential for their change.

Can Donlevy learn these things? Potentially. But by the time he is up to speed on the building project, the budget, and the businesses, half the year will be gone. He has never been involved with the USSU's operations or governance, unlike Hitchings was while running last year.

Scott Hitchings is the smart choice, and as a student I would be remiss if I did not actively support him.

Question the second, directed to Chelsea again: Are you aware that the tuition reimbursement line was put in place while Jeremy Ring was the VP Op/Fin, not Scott? Scott was forced to deal with the matter as it became controversial only after Jeremy had left the office, and he did so in a manner befitting the students and not the executive, by getting rid of the line.

Comment the first, directed at Adam: If you think that anything Donlevy promises will somehow be free of scrutiny from the Operations and Finance board you are sorely mistaken my friend. Donlevy, if elected, would be required to go through the same procedures of presenting his motions to the board and (it can almost be guaranteed) having some of them struck down, especially since he has no idea of how the budget works or what does and does not accord with the actual operation of the USSU. Now I admit, this is speculation, but it makes perfect sense you must agree. A vote for Donlevy then, in all likelihood, WOULD be a vote for someone who won't be able to do half of the things he says he'll do while at the same time being a vote for someone with an idea of how to run the budget and operation of the USSU that is far inferior to that of Scott Hitchings.

I absolutely support Matt Donlevy and I'm glad to see that he has a sense of humor – maybe he'll actually keep student fees level. It seems to me that Scott ran on the promise last year that he would reduce fees by 3% and instead they're going up 5%? Sounds like some good sound work to me….

Simon: We often use Flickr.com for banner photos. The Stars and Stripes photo looks nice, and that is the only reason it was used. If we had found a better photo with a Canadian theme, we would have gladly used it.

You are all encouraged to continue this discussion during our live coverage of the remaining candidate forums. The console will allow us editors to report what happens there as well as engage with readers. Go to thesheaf.com/election on the mornings of March 22 and 23 at 11:30 if that interests you. Or don’t. Whatever floats all your respective boats is fine with us.

This comment thread will remain open in the meantime, but will likely be closed by Tuesday unless there is continued discussion.

Thank you all.

-web admin

Blair I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

I will say that when it comes to Tuition, if the government cuts, it’s programs and student’s that bare the burden… and as you’ve said, spending increases aren’t likely.

There’s a time for working with, and there’s a time to ensure student’s are heard.