The Spectrum has given all the parties running in this year's SA election a chance to send out a last word to the student body. For that we'd like to thank them.
We know that you have been constantly approached in the last two days by people in red, green and yellow as well as by people dressed as bananas. Thank you for your patience in industry with these campaigners who you have undoubtedly encountered enough times to be rightfully annoyed with them.
To those of you that have already voted, thank you. To those who haven't, we would like to leave you with some final thoughts before you enter the voting booth. When encountering these various parties you have certainly heard various claims; book savings of $450 and 24 hour busing. While these quick "sound bite" issues are sure to draw you in, please take the time to critically think about the feasibility of these claims.
Those of us running on the Unified ticket pride ourselves on the clean and honest manner with which we have campaigned. We like to think we have run on our strengths without making any promises that are sure to be broken. We have emphasized our realistic goals. Our platform calls for change, new and innovative programming but we believe we have not claimed anything beyond what is possible and hope that you have noticed that. There is no reason to lie to you and make grandiose claims in an effort to get your vote only to make you regret it later.
Our experience in working with clubs, SA finances and the SA bureaucracy is unmatched. Our credentials are listed on our website, so we won't list them at length here. This knowledge of the system has been painted by some as detrimental to our image; they have accused us of being just another version of the group that currently runs SA. We want to assure you that we do not defend what has gone on in SA over the last couple of years, and we have never claimed otherwise. Much of the experience that sets us apart from the other parties has been gained during the current administration's tenure. We have seen firsthand what is wrong with SA's image and have not had the ability to make the necessary changes. By running for E-Board and Delegate positions were are taking it upon ourselves to try and fix the flaws in an organization all of us have been deeply involved in for the first three years of our time here at UB.
We have stated time and again that clubs are the backbone of SA and 5/6 club councils seem to believe in us as they endorsed our E-Board. We believe this indicates that clubs trust us to follow through in implementing the programming they are clamoring for in a responsible and efficient manner.
Finally, we would like to emphasize that we feel as though our conduct has been deserving of your trust. Like we mentioned earlier we have eschewed using traditional electioneering tactics. We have done to the best of our ability to make sure that the candidates of this party have exhibited professionalism and friendliness when talking to students. We have also made certain that we are making no promises that cannot be kept. SA should be run as a student government, an organization that is controlled by the students. Utilizing political ploys and gimmicks would undermine that belief and our reputations.
We have taken this election seriously and we understand that students are generally dissatisfied with what has gone on recently with SA. We feel we are ready and able to assume and effectively execute the offices we have been campaigning for. Hopefully our conduct has convinced you that we are deserving of your vote. We have shown that we possess the necessary dedication, passion and knowledge to lead our student government and we hope this is evident to you. When making your vote please consider all the issues salient to you, as well considering the ways in which the various parties have presented themselves to you. We feel that after careful consideration of all these factors you will walk into the voting booth and vote for the realistic, dedicated and experienced party, the Unified Party.
Thanks for your support,
Gregory Robbins, Treasurer candidate
On behalf of The Unified Party
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
