EDITORIAL: Elect Andrew Brooks: He is experienced, innovative and bold

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Posted: 3/20/07

This year's contest for Student Union president could not be more different from 2006's plebiscite: Four students-the field was initially an impressive six-threw their hats in the ring this year. They have diverse visions and styles of leadership, but all four correctly agree that the next president should bring greater transparency to the Union.

Students face a tough choice, as did we. After careful consideration we feel that Senator at Large Andrew Brooks '09 has offered the most innovative and substantive vision for the Union. The next-best alternative-and it is close-is Mr. Brooks' co-Senator at Large, Shreeya Sinha '09, but ultimately, Mr. Brooks deserves the presidency for his fresh approach and his ideas about how Move the union in the direction of advocacy

We are most impressed by Mr. Brooks' goal to foster a more hands-off student government-one focused on lobbying administrators on behalf of students, and not the planning of large parties or the overseeing of speaker events. That was one intention of last year's Student Activities Fee reform, one that became severely muddled under the current administration. Mr. Brooks preaches fiscal restraint, and seems to largely understand where the Union's discretionary funding is best spent: He says he would preserve subsidies for individual parties, for example, but do away with any Union-sponsored sequel to Purple Rain.

And in regards to the Union's "Campaign for Peace," Mr. Brooks has made it clear that he does not believe it is the Union's business to involve itself in Middle East dialogue on campus. We laud his position, as any regulation by the Union could politicize the debate beyond what is needed.

That Mr. Brooks' platform sharply contrasts the Union's current tone should not suggest he is a political maverick. Rather, his experience chairing the Senate's ways and means committee-as well as his knack for articulating complex campus issues in plain language-are indicative of a politically savvy candidate who is in tune with students' problems.

He seems willing to take risks in putting creative ideas on the table-a contrast to Sinha, whose rhetoric suggests a preference for crafting policies around whatever students' ideas may be, rather than in a specific direction-Brooks emphasizes that none of his ideas for reform will see the light of day without wide student support.

We see an interesting dichotomy in Mr. Brooks-he is both a fiscal conservative, and would be a strong executive-that will benefit students greatly. Of the candidates, who all said they will draw policies based on a consensus, Mr. Brooks has articulated the clearest vision for the Union-indeed, the organization could be transformed under his stewardship. If elected, Mr. Brooks would be wise to remember that the reins of leadership are not his alone; his policies must be adaptable to undergraduates' wants.

Similarly, Mr. Brooks' plan to cut the Union's costs is laudable and necessary, but if elected, he must remember not to take such measures too far. There is much good that student government can do-take for example the modest cash awards to professors and teaching fellows, a former Union initiative whose unfortunate recent scrapping was spearheaded by Mr. Brooks. The Union's role in campus life need be approached with an eye for nuance, and Mr. Brooks must remember that some small expenditures are compatible with his fiscal conservativism.

Despite our fears of electing a president who aims to take greater control of finances, Mr. Brooks seems responsible enough to avoid making rash decisions-his assertion that he would not be afraid to veto Finance Board decisions demands particularly scrutiny-without the consent from the student body. Although during a candidates' debate last week Mr. Brooks suggested increasing the SAF from 1 percent to 1.2 percent of tuition, he said he would never do so unless students supported that decision.

The Union is ready to move in a more transparent, fiscally responsible and focused direction, and we believe Mr. Brooks is the candidate most qualified to lead it down that path.