Experience on ASG committees became a double-edged sword Tuesday night, when the Northwestern Room in Norris University Center played host to the debates for the Associated Student Government’s academic and student services vice presidential candidates.
The evening began with the debate for the position of academic vice president between Weinberg junior Usman Mian and Communication sophomore Mike McGee. While Mian spent the past three years working on ASG’s Academic Committee, McGee has spent time on the Executive Committee.
Neither candidate let the audience forget that distinction.
“You cannot bring about change on an ineffective committee by promoting someone from within,” McGee said. “I would like to break the mold of lounging on one committee until it’s time to sit at the head of the table.”
Mian countered by accusing his opponent of leaping blindly into things with his promises to quickly implement “action plans.”
“If you were interested in the initiatives you were talking about, joining Academic Committee would have been a great idea,” Mian said.
Throughout the debate, Mian promised to bring more student groups into the process and McGee promised more transparency to the student body.
The student services debate between McCormick sophomore Nate Perkins and Weinberg junior Hariharan Vijay was a more relaxed affair, as most of the audience – who had posed broader questions about the committee’s roles – left between debates.
This left mostly ASG officials, who asked questions about specific policies, including the Chicago Transit Authority U-Pass, the intercampus Shuttle, and the possibility of opening a student bar in Norris.
However, both candidates sought to play to their strengths. Vijay emphasized his outside experience as treasurer for his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta and as facilities manager for both Blomquist Recreation Center and Patten Gym.
“I’ve never had an orientation period for my other jobs and I’ve done that as well as anyone who’s ever held those positions,” Vijay said.
Meanwhile, Perkins talked about his experience serving on the Student Services Committee.
“I may be a part of the Student Services Committee but I know what’s wrong with it,” Perkins said. “There is no doubt in my mind that I have what it takes.”
