When I thought of “Meet the Candidates,” an event at Java++ on Sunday night, I envisioned a crowd packed with those running, and those who wanted to be more informed of said candidates and their policies. There were about 20 people present at the event, a number of whom were there only for studying.
There were four candidates present: Max Yates, Kevin Ly, Mark Andrews, and Daniel Horvath. I spoke with each of them individually. Both Max Yates and Kevin Ly are with the Genesis Party. Yates is running for GM on a platform of facilitating the genesis of RPI.
“We truly have an amazing opportunity to change the dynamics of student representation on this campus. I’ve made a pact with students to lead a Senate that fulfills its promise,” said Yates. Horvath and Andrews are both running independently. Both feel that a political party is more of a set-back than a gain since political parties “dissolve” when elections are over.
Yates, currently a Class of 2006 Senator, showed me his book of Genesis ideology and explained that the purpose of the Student Senate is “to represent all aspects of student life.” He also explained that he felt that the current system did not work effectively, stating that this year there was “bickering over the Union Constitution” instead of getting more important things done. He said that his party interviewed almost all of its candidates and that they “didn’t accept everyone.” When asked why more people from Genesis were not at the event he replied, “We don’t know who’s facilitating this event.” I later found out, from the head of the Rules and Elections Committee that the event was hosted by Java++, with the assistance of RNE. Yates started the “Go Be Red” initiative, aimed at increasing the school spirit and fan support of athletics here at RPI.
Andrews described the duties of the Senate as “making proposals to the E-Board for the Union’s $8.5 million budget.” He is running for Class of 2006 senator. He hopes to “help the Senate move in a new unified direction, while giving students a chance to have their voices heard.” He added that “Together we have an opportunity to take Rensselaer to new and better heights.”
Kevin “the Kourageous” Ly is also running for Class of 2006 senator. In reference to what a senator does, he said, “What a senator does is what he or she chooses to do.” Andrews added, “It’s not well defined and it’s not supposed to be.”
Horvath is running for re-election for senator of the Class of 2008. He ran “Pizza with the President” and said that one of his goals was to continue and build on it. He also wants an “open door policy” that would force the administration to give students justification for its actions.
