The Cord Weekly

Influential Black Helping vou in your Canadians (not searcn for a home including this.dude) THEv Page 25 Page 14 CORD WEEKLY Wednesday February 6, 2002 Laurier's Official Student Newspaper • Volume 42 • Issue 22 2News Candidates plead their case Students' Union EVP: University Affairs hopefuls get mouthy at Open Forum Matthew Cade logged in the Students' Union just counts a greater base of experience. Considering the relative animosity LLI "That just makes me a better between Edwards O that exists Kristi candidate," she said. Q_ and Regan Watts, this year's < The VP nominees disagreed on 00 Executive Vice President of several other issues as well, albeit >- University Affairs candidates for CD not as belligerently. 1 the Students' Union, it was only a I — Edwards emphasized student 0 matter of time before their feelings CD housing and the lobbying efforts LU burst out for public display. LU that will be necessary to ensure the $ At yesterday's open forum for LU rights of students are upheld. on Students' Union and Student LU Watts, meanwhile, was more con- X Publications Presidential candi- h- cerned with the creation of an dates, Students' Union and z OSAP information package that will 1 Student Publications Board candi- teach students both about what UJ dates as well as the EVP: UA candi- £ they're signing and the importance dates, Edwards and Watts University answer of personal money management. Executive VP: Affairs candidates Regan Watts and Kristi Edwards students' questions at exchanged personal shots during yesterday's open forum in the Concourse Student Publications their closing statements. Presidential candidates David each candidate individually. Of for this lack of experience. Student Publications board mem- "I'm not someone who's sat in Field, Ben Martin and Steve Tanner Martin, Ellis questioned his techni- Ellis then called Field "basically ber who has also been acclaimed an office for a year," said Watts in were drilled with more questions cal and production experience and the exact opposite," questioned for another term next year, ques- reference to his opponent. "I'm than those running for any other suggested that the President need- his leadership ability and asked tioned Tanner's knowledge of the someone who's stood in an OSAP position. Current President Chris ed "to be multi-faceted." how he would "break out of his inner workings of the organization line, I'm someone who's slept Ellis stressed the importance of the Martin questioned the necessi- shell." Field responded by describ- considering his absence from through an exam. I'm a student independence of the Cord and ty of Ellis' role on the technical ing that he has been a leader with- every Board meeting this year. who knows the students." that, at least in terms of the control side of the organization and sug- in the organization in several dif- "I am totally committed to you, Edwards responding by of content, it operate by itself. gested better communication with- ferent capacities. explaining that all the time she's Ellis then went on to challenge in the organization would make up Amanda Baumann, a current Continued on Page 4 Publications' referendum question stymied Martin Jennifer as official student representatives, Student was somewhat rushed to get it done," says create a new business plan for Student This year's general election referenda ballot Publications didn't have the authority to ask Ellis. "I thought it would be best to get the Publications, one that will eventually assist will have one less question on it than origi- for a fee without going through us." question out there and clean things up in gaining a permanent spot on campus. nally scheduled. Removed only a few days Chair of the Board of Directors Paul later." "We recognize why Student Publications before the election period began, a Student Tambeau adds, "one of the biggest issues Despite the potential for tension is important," says Prang, and Tambeau adds Publications question regarding fees was was that there was no plan. We didn't feel between the two organizations, Ben Martin, that, "we are committed to finding a solution withdrawn in response to allegations that that students should have to pay fees when Chair of WLUSP Board of Directors says, by the time we leave office." Though Martin posing such a question was outside of there was no plan behind it." Overall, "there was no animosity." Though Ellis is optimistic about the receptiveness of the WLUSP's jurisdiction. though Prang acknowledges that, "in itself it describes Byron as acting "like a father who Union and the University, exclaiming "we've The decision to remove the question, is not a bad idea," it was felt that since no tries to help two brothers bickering," the gained the support of the administration on which proposed to "levy a mandatory fee of date had been given for the beginning of the two corporations managed to compromise this. It's incredible that this has happened. not more than 4 (four) dollars per semester collection of fees, it would be unfair to take on the issue at hand. The emergency meet- It was unexpected." Ellis remains cautiously on full-time students of WLU in the event money from students who might not benefit ing facilitated the formation of a committee, pessimistic, stating, "a lot of good ideas that the Wilfrid Laurier Student Publications from its use. comprised of the Presidents, Chairs of the came from this, and that's about it. If it does needs to renovate or build long-term accom- Due to the pressing nature of the search Board and Vice-Presidents: Finance of both lead to anything, it will be more stable." modations for our offices in the future" was to find space for Student Publications on organizations, as well as Bob Byron, the "They had to understand that they need- made jointly by representatives of Student campus, WLUSP administration was eager to Vice-President: Finance and Administration ed to help us as well," he adds, and acknowl- Publications and the Students' Union. bring the issue to the students. "I'll admit it of the university. Together they will work to edges that entering into the election without On Monday, January 21st, two days prior the support of the Union would have been to the start of the election period, Student The Controversial Question "like committing suicide." However, Ellis is Publications received a letter from the Union willing to admit that the Union's assistance questioning their authority to pose such a "Be it resolved that Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, producer ofthe will make finding new housing for Student question and asking for its withdrawal from Cord, WW yearbook and WLU'er, levy a mandatory fee of not more than 4 (four) Publications easier. the election. The next day, an emergency dollarspersemester onfull time students ofWLUinthe event that the WilfridLaurier "Though it would almost be better for meeting was called for representatives of University Student Publications needs to renovate or build long-term accomoda- Student Publications to do this independ- WLUSP, the Union and University tionsfor our offices in thefuture. This fee will only be used until any debt accrued ently, it will be easier with the support of the Administration. Though WLUSP President by WWSP in connection with the renovation or building of long-termoffice accomo- Union and the administration." Yet, he is Chris Ellis is "in full disagreement," WLUSU dation is paid off." quick to assert that, "In no way will I sacrifice President Dave Prang explains, "we felt that our independence for this." 2 news Battle of the Boards WLUSU Board hopefuls face tough questions, comments, while already acclaimed WLUSP Board receives few questions. Dillon Moore laughs of the afternoon with his response, "vote for James McKay." The candidates for the Board of Towards the end of the session, Directors, almost equal in number the candidates had to face the to the spectators in the Concourse harsh comments and questions of yesterday, failed to ignite any out- former Students' Union President bursts of enthusiasm, but some did and current Student Senator face hard questions from past Jeffrey Kroeker, who blasted them Students' Union members. for what he saw as poor research Appearing after the candidates into what the job entailed. He cau- STREET for Students' Union and Student tioned them, "this is not a high THE Publications Presidents, and candi- school students' council,"and said ON dates for Executive Vice President: bluntly: "you better find the University Affairs, The BOD hope- answers pretty damn quick." MAN fuls took part in what proved to be Kroeker then turned his atten- a protracted event, because each tion to two particular candidates, CADE. candidate was given a chance to Tudor Costache and Myles Wilson, speak on each issue that was pre- calling on them to answer some sented. hardball questions. Kroeker When questioned about what referred to the platform of MATTHEW experience in student government Costache as "sarcastic in tone and they would bring to the Board, few insulting," and demanded "if had much to say. Kerri O'Neill is you're going to represent the stu- running for the BOD again after dents what are you going to do to being a member last year, and Ben make amends to those that you Durrer has served as both vice- have offended?" He then stated to chair of the Board and in the hired Wilson that some members of the position of Vice President of Board had had trouble dealing Marketing. with his personality over this term, STREET A number of issues - growth, and asked him what he intended to THE accountability and approachability, do to make sure Wilson can get classroom space - were men- along with other student represen- ON tioned by various candidates.

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