In Monday night's party slate debate, representatives from the Student Alliance of Madison, Third Wave and Badger Parties agreed changes from this year's divided and seemingly unaccomplished Associated Students of Madison are necessary, but provided differing solutions.
Phil Ejercito, a candidate with SAM, argued for a restoration of ASM to a grassroots organizational power in supporting activism rather than politics. With more respect for the students and an elimination of the current hostile climate, Ejercito said SAM candidates would fight actively for tenant rights and drink specials.
\Elect activists, not politicians. ASM is a grassroots organizational body, not a place to build resumes,"" Ejercito said.
Pete McCabe, a candidate with the Third Wave Party, offered his party as an alternative to the status quo, one he said will break up the the majority. With plans to refocus priorities and fix issues important to students, he said the party emphasizes issues such as course evaluation reform, Safe Arrival for Everyone ride service reform and segregated fee reform.
Jackie Helmrick, a candidate with the Badger Party, argued that while ASM has been so mainstreamed and ill-focused, the Badger Party was in fact responsible for positive changes this year including the addition of the 24-hour section of the Memorial Library. The party will balance the organization as a whole and mediate party lines to reform course evaluations and drink specials while keeping ASM an organization for the students.
Amidst recent controversy, Ejercito argued against the implementation of the opt-out system.
""As it stands right now it's faulty and damaging. This is clearly targeting certain groups,"" Ejercito said.
McCabe said before implementation, there are many issues to be addressed with a possible opt-out system. If implemented, he argued that funding will be pooled from other sources, ultimately costing students.
In contrast, Helmrick supports opt-out, which she said will force groups to apply for funding and provide students with a choice.
Both the Third Wave Party and the Badger Party argued that too much time was allocated for unproductive, seven-hour meetings in which individuals expressed opinions on the war, an issue that does not directly relate to student issues on campus.
""Student government isn't there to disclose opinions,"" Helmrick said.
However, Ejercito said that this was necessary in that ASM must empower students and provide a way for students to express their opinions.
