UF SG Election Series: Unite Party

This post is from the Spring 2010 elections. I’m honestly a lazy/studying ass right now and didn’t have time to compile a list of platform bullet points for all three parties this year, and frankly this election is such a nuisance that I’m not bothering to. But you can see for yourself whether each party kept their promise

The last post focused on an overview of the election coming up and Student Alliance’s platform (at least, as evidenced by the millions of flyers that they give out). Today I look at Unite’s platform…a more simplified version of the flier (because they fit way too much on their flier).

Platform	Feasibility (or usability) (out of 10) / Reasoning
Modernize the current bicycle repair shop to include scooter repair services.	4.5. Let’s see how Gainesville’s scooter places react to this one…in addition, this requires a revamp of the business model of the repair services offered at the repair place (aka free –> paid)
(In shortened words) Rebuild the Reitz Union (more meeting space, “concert halls”, study and lounge areas)	5-9. Why the range? Concert halls…really? We already have fine venues for that (U. Auditorium, O-Dome, Philips Center for Performing Arts, etc.) It just means more money for those kinds of things. But study and lounge areas are needed…and available 24-hours, at that.
Red Box.	4. See Student Alliance post.
Student Volunteers to Assist New Students During Freshmen Move-in Week	?????. While this requires no cost technically, I feel like that this is a job that is already done by such programs as OASIS, Campus Diplomats, etc. As for actual PHYSICAL help moving-in…again, why?
Student Safety Net (online Emergency Student Loan program, $500, interest-free for 31 days).	–100. Why such a negative rating? Because this is ALREADY IN PLACE. Since when did SG become a bank? This’ll, in turn, probably raise student activity fees in the long run. (Btw, where is it in place? Uh..SFA already takes care of this. http://www.sfa.ufl.edu/programs/shorttermloans.html) Yes there’s interest tacked on, but at 1%…a reasonable amount I’d say. And filling out forms? While I believe there should be a faster approval time than 48 hours, I don’t think the correct answer to this problem is moving the application process online.
Enhance the market for used textbooks and reduce the overall cost of education by supporting textbook adoption policies that put an end to textbook price gouging.	HUH? The last part after “and” made absolutely no sense. Bottom Line: GET BOOK RENTAL SERVICES GOING AT THE BOOKSTORE. FSU HAS IT GOING AND THEY’RE USING THE SAME OVERARCHING BOOKSTORE COMPANY AS WE ARE.
Work tirelessly to continue all night study cafe hours at the HUB and extend Lib West hours during finals.	I think both parties can agree on this platform…and there were never all-night study hours at the HUB. Til 3AM is NOT equal to all night.
Continue to work with state and university officials to achieve student-friendly reform of Bright Futures, keeping UF at the top of the state higher education system.	Boy, whoever made this flier sure has their way with words. This is the nice way to say “we’ll talk to them, that’s it”.
Against Fee Increases for Graduate Students	0. See Student Alliance post.
Ensure graduate students have a dedicated floor space in the new Reitz.	10 (at least a 7 for the effort). I never thought about it but it is true, they really don’t have a true home for themselves. After all, carrel access at West has opened up on the 2nd floor for everyone now…and I think assignments are no more for the individual desks over at Marston? But prove me wrong here.
Conscious lighting options in parking garages and bus stops.	8. Seems fair…after all, UF is all about being green these days
Increase transparency by creating a detailed Budget Tracker for your organization and your student fees on the SG website	3. Cute, but what about voting records?
Establish UF’s own “Big Event” to come together on a day of community service to show our appreciation for the greater Alachua County community.	0? I thought Day of Service (MLK day) already did this. And anyway, SG would be infringing upon CLS territory.
OVERALL GRADE	C- (almost a F though, see note) Unite Party definitely has the “experience”…whether it’s real experience or not, however, remains to be seen. It’s sad that some parts of their platform are minor improvements of ideas already put into place (if you can even call them improvements). But I give lots of credit for the innovation put into the thoughts of graduate students. Innovation, however, are like patents: they don’t have to work out. Note: Why the almost F? To Unite Party election officials: the girl you have staked out in front of Matherly/Anderson who was basically giving me the worst vibe ever is seriously a total *****. She basically belittled me by implying that if I don’t vote, I’m a loser and I really didn’t appreciate that one bit. She was annoying and rudely interrupted me while I was walking and talking with my friend and insisted on walking with me until I took a flier. I thought overall “flyering” tone had been toned down by both parties, but clearly SOMEONE didn’t get the memo.

OK, so you might say this…simple, right? C+ > C- which means I’m urging that people vote Student Alliance, right?

Ehhh…no. You’ll see on Monday why it’s so much more of a mixed bag. (Yes, even despite the rude Unite volunteer girl).

Again, feel free to debate, criticize, bash me, whatever. Just don’t put up swastikas and stuff in the comments because I don’t know if I can be as nice about it as Machen is.