he Dartmouth Free Press approached all candidates to do a piece critiquing each other’s ideas and qualifications. So here we go: my thoughts about the ideas of my competitors.

Michael Sevi does bring some interesting ideas to the debate, and his campaign is good because it forces students to critically examine the Assembly and its role on campus. At the same time, I don’t believe he has the experience to know what changes would and would not work. Most of the ideas he speaks of (specifically those related to membership) have already been discussed and debated by students much more familiar with both the Assembly and Dartmouth itself than he is.

Sevi talks about revamping the membership to have more elected members. What he doesn’t seem to grasp is the fact that the SA president cannot just come in and institute radical changes. SA has to pass them as a larger body. Sevi speaks of making the Assembly as diverse as possible, but the Assembly was least diverse when it was composed of entirely elected members. (The Assembly was almost entirely white, male, and non-Greek.)

The issue he brings up, of “student voice within Parkhurst,” is not new (though when you read the 7 point plan it appears as though no one has ever thought of it before). The “problem” of student voice is not because it’s never been an issue before, and efforts to include students in the decision-making process of the College will actually be hindered if the new president has no knowledge of previous arguments and struggles for student voice. Having Sevi become president would set us back years in this process.

Sevi’s experience with student government comes from his former school, Florida State University. Though FSU’s student government was focused on emulating American politics and the American government, the focus here must be on empowering and advocating for students, and on serving the student body.

Does Sevi really have a clear understanding of what Dartmouth needs? Does he have the knowledge of SA or of the student body in general to effectively lead it? I don’t believe that he does.

I don’t know what Ted Smith’s main views are, apart from his support of kittens, which I’m fine with. : )

If you’re curious about my views, please read Tuesday’s copy of the D, or blitz me. I’d love to talk with you!