Sunday, March 8, 2009
Lies, Damn Lies, and Campaign Promises: Eli Reilly
Politicians have been making lavish campaign promises to lure voters since the beginning of time. Student politicians are no different. In this series of posts, we will examine the platforms of the high profile candidates and how they compare to their past promises.
Since Eli is the incumbent in the presidential race, it seems fair to focus on him first. Also, he seems most likely to win at this juncture.
Eli promised many things last year. Let's examine his platform from last year and see if he made good on any of them. (I have no idea how long this blog will stay active once he realizes it is still out on the Internets.)
Eli's platform last year had three main points:
- Campus safety
- "The College Experience"
- 24-hour campus
Last year's campaign was being waged in the middle of the Brianna Denison slaying. The attitude on campus was one of fear. Eli argued that "ASUN can undertake that would help make our campus a safer environment."
Specifically, Eli proposed to "complete and fulfill the Campus Blue Light Project" and "expand Campus Escort to reduce wait times."
Blue Light Project (Emergency Call Boxes)
On the Blue Light Project, ASUN's involvement was practically zero, especially from a budgetary sense. The 75th Session passed a resolution on the project at the beginning of its session, but nothing else became of the project within ASUN. The Senate had considered giving money to the project, but backed away (Sagebrush).
The University ended up implementing the project in May of 2008 (Sagebrush) ("A
A Push of Button Brings Emergency Help").
Eli's involvement in getting the project established? Apparently none. He stated during the campaign that if elected "I will make a commitment from ASUN that will assist in funding this project." Unfortunately, Eli was unable to keep this promise. As it turns out, University President Glick already had a plan for implementation. "This is something we've been working on for a long time," said Adam Garcia, University Police Chief. "President Glick was instrumental in obtaining funding for this. He stepped forward and did the right thing."
The project was implemented at about the time Eli was first elected to the presidency. In other words, this project was already happening before Eli was even elected.
Verdict: Eli had no impact on the project.
Campus Escort
Eli argued that wait times for Campus Escort were unacceptable. His solution was to increase funding to the service. Funding for Campus Escort, by the end of fiscal year 2008 (2007-2008 school year) was $25,000. In this fiscal year, during Eli's term as president, $50,000 was appropriated to Campus Escort. (Excluded is capital spending on the program.)
It is unclear whether this additional money contributed to decreased wait times, since those figures do not appear to be readily available. So, spend more money without measuring performance on an objective scale.
One thing to keep in mind was that ASUN was receiving more money in this fiscal year than last, so increases in funding are not necessarily because of a shift in priorites to spend more money on Campus Escort.
Verdict: Unclear. The evidence is insufficient to establish that Eli followed through on his campaign promise to decrease wait times, but he did get more money to the Program. The question would be whether that money actually was used for the Program, or just used to line the pockets of one of Sandy's administrative minions.
"The College Experience"
Eli pointed out as a problem "apathy is very prevalent on our campus." His solution was to increase funding to the Programming, Homecoming, and Clubs Departments in ASUN. He pledged that he would raise the Flipside (Programming) budget to $175,000.
According to the most recent revision of the ASUN budget (the legal enactment of which is seriously in doubt), Programming was appropriated almost $122,000, with spending authority for another $15,000 if they raised the revenue.
That's a $38,000 difference.
Verdict: We cannot objectively state whether the apathetic attitude on campus has dramatically changed, but Eli clearly did not meet his campaign promise of $175,000 to programming.
24-Hour Campus
In his campaign, Eli noted that there was no place for students to go on campus after midnight on a weeknight. His solution was "to work with University administration to secure" either or both a 24-hour student union and a 24-hour library. He also proposed extending Lombardi Rec's hours to 2 a.m. (ideally 24-hours).
Note the part where the latest they are open is midnight.
Note the part where the latest they are open is 2 a.m. on three days a week.
Note the part where the latest they are open is 11 p.m.
Verdict: F-. Eli did not create a 24-hour campus. It was foolish of him to suggest that he could.
This year
Eli, being an incumbent and all, is promoting his past accomplishments as proof of his deserving another term as president.
Among his more interesting "accomplishments":
Okay, maybe were a little harsh on his 24-hour campus promise from last year, but we'll see if expanded hours actually come to fruition given the budget cuts.
More club funding
Not hard to do, considering ASUN's revenues went up about $300,000 from last year.
C0-chairing a committee
Ooooooh, he's co-chairing a committee. Big whoop.
Organized rally
This one is perhaps my favorite. Eli takes credit for organizing a rally in Carson City on the budget cuts. As it turns out, he just showed up to speak. But he organized that shit!
24-hour @One
He claims to have negotiated an open-24-hours first floor of the Knowledge Center, and then admits defeat in the very next sentence.
Established SOAR tutoring program
Illegally. Enough said.
In all, Eli's campaign seems to be filled with half-truths, some baldfaced lies, and an unaccomplished record.
This year
Eli, being an incumbent and all, is promoting his past accomplishments as proof of his deserving another term as president.
Among his more interesting "accomplishments":
- Negotiated expanded hours for Lombardi Recreation Center beginning Fall 2009
- Provided more funding for clubs and organizations than ever before
- Currently co-chairing a committee to find a way to replace the Math and Writing Center services
- Organized student rally in Carson City in late January
- Negotiated the @One floor of the Knowledge Center being open 24 hours; the program was put on hold because of the increased severity of the budget crisis earlier this semester
- Established the SOAR program to provide free student tutoring
Okay, maybe were a little harsh on his 24-hour campus promise from last year, but we'll see if expanded hours actually come to fruition given the budget cuts.
More club funding
Not hard to do, considering ASUN's revenues went up about $300,000 from last year.
C0-chairing a committee
Ooooooh, he's co-chairing a committee. Big whoop.
Organized rally
This one is perhaps my favorite. Eli takes credit for organizing a rally in Carson City on the budget cuts. As it turns out, he just showed up to speak. But he organized that shit!
24-hour @One
He claims to have negotiated an open-24-hours first floor of the Knowledge Center, and then admits defeat in the very next sentence.
Established SOAR tutoring program
Illegally. Enough said.
In all, Eli's campaign seems to be filled with half-truths, some baldfaced lies, and an unaccomplished record.
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This blog started out with so much promise. The promise of unbiased facts about each candidate. The promise of information in the midst of a mud-slinging campaign. I have followed it closely since the very beginning eagerly awaiting insight into the presidential and senatorial race. Unfortunately, the supposed "no-spin" articles are nothing more than an Anti-Start and an Anti-Eli rant. I hope that everyone else who read this blog is as disappointed as I am. Whether or not this was your original intent when forming your faceless watchdog group still remains a mystery, but one thing remains painfully obvious: the spin certainly doesn't stop here. Yet again proving that anonymity doesn't equate to benevolence.
ReplyDeletePatrick Delaplain
I completly agree with Patrick
ReplyDelete