Brittany Cannon (The Beacon)
By Brittany Cannon, Guest Commentary
As a senior who has been involved with various leadership positions for the past four years, I would like to share a less than peaceful response to the editorials write-up from the previous week.
So what has ASUP really done for their student body? Well, for starters, they have passed a bill to change the CIF to MPF; in other words, ASUP renamed something so they could put money elsewhere. And by elsewhere, the editors of The Beacon meant somewhere fun and beneficial to all UP students. I, personally, am ecstatic about this change, because I would rather say that $20,000 of my tuition went toward an awesomely squished penny I can keep for the rest of my life, instead of green grass in a quad I never use because I'm a student that spends a majority of my time studying (sorry for not partying).
The point is not that UP needs a penny-press, but that the bill allows the student's money to be spent on things that will make college life memorable. If anyone has a problem with a penny-press being placed on campus, then come up with a better idea and become an advocate for your money. That is the purpose of ASUP: to listen to the student body. The leaders cannot help the students, if the students are not active and speak up for what they want.
For me, ASUP has been a guardian angel. For those of you who do not know me, I am currently a co-leader for the Nicaragua Immersion. This means I am in charge of planning an international trip for 20 people (let's just say it isn't a walk in the park).
The financial aspect of the trip forces me to be in touch with many of the ASUP senators, as well as all of the ASUP executive board members. Just as a small example of who I have worked with: Sean Ducey generously offered the Nicaragua group a fundraising opportunity through one of the campus board events, Caitlin Chu alleviated the pain of processing receipts and finances by helping with each step, and finally, Kyle Hamm, acted as an advocate for the Moreau Center programs by delegating a fair amount of funding towards each of the immersions.
So why is no one running against our nominees in the upcoming executive board election? My guess is because students have acknowledged our candidates as being over-qualified potential leaders and advocates for our school and money, just as I have. I WILL be voting for Brock Vasconcellos and Kyle Hamm, and I will NOT be filling in the ‘other option' as suggested by our naïve editorial board. As the editors mentioned, ASUP is in charge of almost half a million dollars. Why would anyone want to put that power in the hands of a person with no experience? I feel fully confident in the current candidates to be responsible with my money and to successfully lead UP's student body.
Finally, there are a couple more things I would like to point out in regards to the contributions of ASUP to the student body. ASUP funds over 60 clubs and organizations including the Moreau Center programs, the lacrosse team, FISH and KDUP. Each of these clubs should be in support of the current candidates. Additionally, not ALL of the MPF funds will be delegated toward silly things like a penny-press. For those who do not know, there are plans being made for a concert to be held on April 14. It will be an event that I am sure will rock the socks off of all UP students.
In conclusion, I agree that the editors of The Beacon should spread awareness of the upcoming election, as well as the options that are available to the students; but not in a demeaning way. After having attended some of the meetings myself, I can say that I have never seen a member of The Beacon staff present. Because of this, I challenge the editors of The Beacon to actually attend a Senate meeting and gain references from sources other than Facebook.
Editor's note:
The assertion that The Beacon does not attend ASUP meetings is inaccurate. In fact, a Beacon reporter attends ASUP senate meetings every week.
Brittany Cannon is a senior biochemistry and mathematics major. She can be contacted at cannon12@up.edu.
