I know this has been covered in other blogs already but I am going to do this review in an around the horn style. Each issue can be awarded up to 3 points. I will also have the option to "mute" the issue and then a score of -3 will be added in. In order to even things out as each party has a different number of platforms the scores will be averaged and then multiplied by 33.3 to get an adjusted score. I know this will help Unite more as a negative 3 won't hurt as much, but if you have more platform issues then in all fairness it works. I will not be reviewing Susan's platform as I already think she is the most qualified for SBT and have given her my endorsement.
Swamp:
Ensure completion of wireless internet across campus and bring broadband internet to Family Housing
+2 Missed the +3 because of vagueness. I hope SG will work with the Administration to complete wireless as I don't think the Administration will do it alone and SG should not do it alone. As for broadband internet in Family Housing SWAMP will have to work with Housing to ensure this.
Create a 24-hour café on campus
+1 Recycled. Students do want a place to study all the time, not sure if it needs to be a "café" with coffee and snacks sold all the time.
Increase campus field lighting to aid student recreation
-3 Good intentions, fiscally irresponsible. SG had to cut budgets this year. Electricity costs are going up. Where will all this money come from? I like this idea, but more of a plan needs to be discussed then increasing the lighting.
Install medicinal (Tylenol, Advil) dispensers in Reitz Union restrooms
+3 Original idea. Think of all the extra money earned from this plan could go towards.
Improve safety on campus through increased coverage of emergency Blue Lights, better lighting and courtesy phones in Residence Hall Areas
+2 Reused, but safety is a big thing and there is no price you can put on that.
Increase the sustainability of University of Florida by bringing more recycling to campus, advocating to use biodegradable materials and ensure the use of Fair Trade products
+2 Important. All I have to say is this commenting thing may take forever.
Advocate to temporarily suspend open container laws on campus for Football Game Days
+1 I personally have not had any problems with this issue on gameday but I know some who have. This will get votes no doubt but not sure if this is a platform issue.
Increase the capacity and services available through WebMail
+2 I don't use webamil myself, but this would be nice for those who do. Really should have an issue such as educate those who use webmail about the alternatives but not all of us are as tech savvy and even webmail is complicated, wait nevermind, that is only at FSU.
Provide funding for extended Baby Gator hours and satellite child-care centers
+3 Good for graduate/families at UF, the under represented here.
Establish permanent academic travel grants
+1 Sure.
Bi-weekly Student Government podcasts updating students on noteworthy events
+/-0 Yeah zero points. Not so far out there to lose points, but nothing noteable to gain points. Original idea, but I don't see a use. Why spend time to recorded the events, upload it on the website for students to have to download, sync with iPod and listen when it is easier to upload the dates to the website.
Proactively increasing diversity of involvement in SG within cabinets and agencies such as Accent and SGP
+2
Establish liasons between the Career Resource Center and Academic Departments
+2
Reform Student Government to better represent students from all areas of UF
+1 Too vague to earn any more points then that.
Create a Student Government sponsored book exchange and post book buyback information online
Stop the use of overpriced course materials and CDÂs in classes like Wildlife Issues and CGS2531 by putting material on WebCT
+1 Brilliant idea, but at the same time some people take these classesfor the easy A and therefore should pay a premium.
Work with the Gainesville community to bring discounted rates to student rates for cable, internet and professional exam review prices
+1 I do like issues outside of the range of just on campus items, but at the same time there will be alot of red tape in getting this accomplished.
Parking ticket forgiveness once an academic year for each student
-3 I have thought this was stupid the first time I heard this. Parking is already an issue, if people know they get a forgivness then I am sure everyone will cash in, which will cause more of an issue because more people will be illegally parking. I think they need to crack down more on parking, rather then lighten it.
Stop city attempts at raising towing rates
+1 Heard it before.
Increase free printing across campus
+/-0 Staying nuetral on this rather then deducting 3 points. I thinking 10 or 13 cents a page is a little extreme cost for printing and copies but at the same time free is a little too extreme as well. I like a median of reduced.
Support state legislative initiatives to make textbook purchases tax free
+3 I think Gatorman already said it when he discussed about the tax free list in the Fall. Good idea and if I can save $20 on books that is one more night at the bar I can take.
Continue to fight for fair tuition policies and the protection of Bright Futures
+2
Support student efforts to make UF a Top 10 Research University by creating an agency to sponsor academic conferences and networking events on campus
+2
Demand more female and minority faculty members at UF
+2
Support the continued development of the WomenÂs Studies Center and Program
+2
Make necessary structural repairs to La Casita and the Institute of Black Culture
+2
Create an Asian American Center and an Asian American Affairs Director
+2
Implement programs to help International Students integrate into Gainesville
+2
Total Score: 36
Number of Platform Issues: 28
Adjusted Score: 42.81
UniteEnsure program funding for student organizations who maximize event turnout, such as Indian Student Association's GARBA
+/- 0 So the more people that show up to events the more money they get? What about what the event is or what the purpose is? I don't think that is fair
Prevent SG Administrative budget from being used for office redecoration
+2 Heard it before, but since the offices just got new furnature recently I believe this will happen
Reduce SG administrative budget by eliminating promotional items
+1 I like the pormo items, but give them out to students, not within SG. Cut the advertsing commercials or make them better. The commercials this year were pointless besdies flaunting the look at us principal.
Promote an open book policy by having financial reports available online
+3
Reinstate Student Government auditors from the General Accounting Office
+2
Improve training and clarify roles of Assistant Treasurers
+2
Consolidate lobbying efforts between the Florida Students Association and SG's privately-hired lobbyists
+/- 0 Too vague to me. As other's pointed out this sounds like removing one and we all know that will be FSA.
Dramatically reduce the SG Advertising budget. Ensure that advertisements have a targeted audience and specific purpose.
+1 Going back from my previous comments of promo items. The advertising budget though does not need to be reduced, just made to showcase improtant events, services or information.
Before SG officials look to reduce organizational budgets, SG will reduce its own budget wherever possible
+/- 0 Sounds nice to all those involved in large organizations, but doubt it will make too much of a difference. SG Orgs will get cut more then SG.
Publish Student Senate Agendas on the SG web site at least 24 hours in advance of all Senate meetings
+1 Good start, but I can not count the number of times bills were added from the floor
Create public debate time to precede the readings of each Senate bill rather than only once at the start of Senate meetings
-3 I might be harsh here, but I think that is stupid. Those who can not vote for the bill will not stay. Those who can vote will abuse this. Also this will make the meetings run longer because in theory you can get 5 min for each debate section where currntly you can have max of 5 min to talk about everything.
Re-design the SG web site to include immediately-updated, cross-referential data such as Senator voting records and financial impacts of a given bill
+1 Immediatly-updated? Glenda will be staying later Tuesday night to get the things on the website? I think not. Glenda aldready does a great job, don't make her stay until 2 AM on Wed mornings.
Establish a non-voting student seat on the Gainesville City Commission
+1
Promote personal responsibility. Inform students of resources such as Tow-N-Go.
+1
Create and fund a Campus Alcoholics Anonymous student organization.
-3 The other blogs have covered why this is a bad idea.
Proactively address poverty in East Gainesville utilizing the combined resources of the Cabinet, service student organizations, and the City of Gainesville.
+2
Seek the Alachua County Supervisor of Election's cooperation in establishing on-campus polling locations for local elections
+/- 0We already have on-campus locations for local elections. Just not a clear platform issue.
Expand recycling resources to off-campus Greek houses
+2 Recycling is always a good thing
Establish Internet Online Voting. Students will save approximately $20,000 per election while maintaining voter privacy with a minimum number of on-campus polling locations.
-3 This is already going to be on the ballot. Why put it as a platform issue when students will arleady have a say? Also I don't like the flipflop from Jared from the summer to now.
End promised positions. Unite will create a culture change of inclusiveness for all students.
+2 The only concern is if he will live up to his word
Televise Student Senate meetings via the Internet
+1 Reused, been said before, have yet to see it happen.
Toughen organizational constituency requirements for Student Senators.
+3 You mean I might actually see my senator and hear from them?
Reduce Cabinet's size to promote efficiency and accountability within the Executive Branch. Establish organizational diplomats whose sole purpose is to facilitate organizations' programs.
+2 I advise they use Gatorman's strategy.
Publish a monthly Student Government electronic newsletter to prove our accountability to ourselves.
+1 Keep it on the web, don't use your resources to mail it to students or else junk filters may be programmed to remove it.
Create a student-friendly Reitz Union. Fully automate meeting room, banner, and table reservations via the Reitz Union web site
+2 This will be a slow transition, but would be nice once it is compelted.
Seek funding for a Director of Asian-American Affairs
+2
Create a master calendar of all events sponsored by multi-cultural organizations to promote cooperation between different communities
+1How will they get all this information?
Lobby for inclusion of protection of gender expression in all University non-discrimination statements
+2
Improve Family and Graduate Student Housing by installing additional blue lights and expanding wireless internet
+2
Lobby for competitive graduate assistantship stipends
+1
Improve student childcare facilities
+2
Increase the number of electrical outlets in Reitz Union Food Court for laptop connections
+2 This is needed. I don't know how many times I have walked around the Union looking for a plug. However, what about the increase cost of electrity the Union will have?
Ensure 24-hour access to the new Library West Study Center
+3 Better then a cafe
Extend availability of free printing to all CIRCA labs
+/- 0 Covered why already
Seek corporate sponsorship to restore functionality of the Flavet Field Bandshell
+1 Bandshell does need to be repaired, but corporate sponsorship to do it? Why not have SGP/Accent host a save the bandshell event? Not sure if I want Walmart, Pepsi, Best Buy ads on the bandshell.
Lobby for friendlier textbook policies to save students money. With cooperation of Faculty Senate, limit new textbook editions to every two years.
+2 I think we should lobby to have all professors either use the textbook or not use it. Forget this buy it and maybe we will ask questions from it
Lobbying for the protection of private studying resources such as TutoringZone's SmokinNotes and Einstein's Notes
+/- 0 Why? They have been operating for years on their own. They have every legal right to and will be fine fighting on their own.
Promote effective utilization of sexual assault awareness resources on campus, including Self-Defense classes
+2 We have these already, they just need to be promoted better, maybe during Preview.
Ensure the continued cancellation of International Student Tracking Fee
+3
Preserve the New York Times and USA Today Readership programs
+3 I enjoy these papers and they should stay, helps expand knowledge nationally.
Total Score: 47
Number of Platform Issues: 39
Adjusted score: 40.13
So there we go we have a 42.81 for SWAMP and 40.13 for Unite. Looks like SWAMP takes a win just by a small percentage. I know it will be close come Thursday morning. Should be very interesting.
