Spring Break
EDITORIAL: Elect Andrew Brooks: He is experienced, innovative and bold
Editorial | 3/20/07
Posted online at 10:53 PM EST on 3/19/07
/ Last updated at 9:42 AM EST on 3/19/07
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.
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.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 10
Jessica Orton
posted 3/20/07 @ 12:29 PM EST
This write up is extraordinary! Not just because my cousin (Mr. Andrew Brooks) is featured in it, but as a former newspaper writer in highschool myself. (Continued…)
Whistleblower
posted 3/20/07 @ 3:26 PM EST
The Justice is a ridiculous publication for believing that Brooks offers a fresh change. Get real.
"Innovative"?
posted 3/21/07 @ 12:13 AM EST
This article calls Andrew Brook's ideas inovative. What the Justice fails to mention is that these "inovative" ideas really suck. Moreover, they reveal Brooks' lack of understanding of the SAF, the role of the student government, and the power of the student voice. (Continued…)
Tired of Sensationalized News
posted 3/22/07 @ 10:03 PM EST
Well this is embarrassing for the Justice?sort of reminds of what happened last time the Justice endorsed a candidate, haha.
Maybe you guys should stick to ?reporting? the news?
The Justice Gets it Wrong .. again
posted 3/24/07 @ 11:18 PM EST
So much for your endorsement guys.. you show real dedication to understanding student opinions and voices. He didn't even come third. Shreeya was clearly the winner at the Debate and the Justice just lost all credibility in my eyes. (Continued…)
The Justice Got It Right
posted 7/09/08 @ 5:51 PM EST
Shreeya Sinha proved to be an ineffective advocate for the Student Body. The SAF is now capped, and we were forced to spend $100,000 of OUR STUDENT money to fix the weight room. (Continued…)
David
posted 7/09/08 @ 6:44 PM EST
holy shit i had no idea the justice endorsed brooks for president over shreeya in 2007. i guess the justice was smart and saw through shreeya's bs. sadly, brandeis voters seem to have a penchant for falling for semi-attractive phonies over run-of-the-mill typical Brandeis students who clearly are better at getting the job done. (Continued…)
Daniel Ortner
posted 7/23/08 @ 11:36 PM EST
I was an editor when we wrote this editorial and looking back on it now, I am uncertain if we were right or wrong ultimately. There is something to be said about an efficient opposition to a political regime. (Continued…)
Post a Comment