In anticipation of being appointed the newest undergraduate
student government officer, candidates for the facilities
commission said they planned to improve the office and contribute
to council. The new position became available when former
Facilities Commissioner Annie McElwain resigned early this quarter
due to personal reasons. The Undergraduate Students Association
Council will interview the five candidates applying for the
position at an open interview Saturday. Many councilmembers said
they will look at the candidates’ previous experience
relevant to the commission. “I will be looking for the
candidates to speak from experience they’ve had … and see
how that experience might indicate how effective they’ll
be,” said Internal Vice President T.J. Cordero. President
David Dahle said he is looking for a candidate who may bring a new
perspective to council, but maintained USAC experience is
important. Dahle will present his recommendation for council
approval at the USAC general meeting Tuesday. Candidates said they
would present council with the experience they have and goals for
the remainder of the year. “I have a lot of contacts with the
facilities administration … and I plan to hire a staff to start
work as quickly as possible” said fourth-year political
science and geography student Matt Kaczmarek, who has also sat on
the On-Campus Housing and Transportation Services commissions.
Kaczmarek said he plans to be a resource for students with
construction or facilities-related concerns. Having closely worked
with the external vice president’s office, Kaczmarek said he
is familiar with council. “Seeing me at the table is going to
be no surprise,” Kaczmarek said. Another candidate,
second-year economics student Chris Abraham, said his priority
would be student accessibility. Abraham said he plans to create a
biweekly newsletter about facility-related news that has not been
available to students in the past. As the former Elections Board
chairman, Abraham said he was familiar with many of the issues
important to council, including the minimum progress requirement,
the semester-versus-quarter issue and the online vote for the USAC
elections this spring. “I’ll definitely be an
asset,” he said. Other candidates aimed to better represent
the student body. “I will listen to students and effectively
bring their issues to council,” said Tim Schulz, a third-year
classical civilization and philosophy student. The new facilities
commissioner will face the task of jumping into an established
council during the midterm. But candidates said they wouldn’t
have a problem acclimating. Third-year business and economics
student Arvin Abraham said he will primarily concentrate on
fulfilling the facilities commissioner’s responsibilities
without getting caught up in council politics. “I will go to
the meetings and get well acquainted with council,” he said.
Arvin added that his primary concerns are safety, parking and
dorm-related issues. The final candidate, fifth-year political
science student Adam Pearlman agreed that coming to council midterm
wouldn’t be a problem. “I’m familiar with how
(USAC) works … I think I can jump right into it and get done what
needs to be done,” Pearlman said. All candidates said they
were not affiliated with any slate.