The EngSoc forum was on Thursday and the Renison forum was on Friday. The only thing exceeded by the lack of student interest was the lack of student interest. The ratio of knowing about what you were talking to not was about nine to one.
Four people asked questions in both forums combined, not counting me and the questions I asked.
The EngSoc forum was in CPH Foyer (Eng 4, I think it's building #38, no I forget, I gotta check, argh #29). There was a yearbook sale and an armed forces recruiting table and regular traffic to POETS and the C&D. There were probably no more than six, non-candidates, non-election committee members, and non-me, who appeared to be listening to what was going on.
I asked some questions including: "What is wrong with OSAP how can it be improved?" "There aren't many eng students here. No eng students have been elected to Feds in the past five years compared to every eng student running for pres winning for more than the ten years before that. What's wrong?" "Now we all know about the Fed Hall subsidy ending, but Feds have not talked about solutions with students. What will you do?" "I want to know more about Warrior Weekends. What is Feds's involvement and what is one thing that can be improved about Warrior Weekends?"
J. Fishbein asked something to VP Ed cans about a campus education council started by Liam.
L. Whitely asked all candidates to dance. Wroe and Andersen said they would dance if they won. Henry did some line dancing with Fishbein and then on his own. Taylor danced like a two-year-old. Hamilton asked Whitely to dance a foxtrot, or something, with him and she did. I don't think the others danced.
M. Henheffer (I think that's who he is) introduced the pie fundraiser where people pay $10 to send a pie in the face to someone ($15 anonymously) and then you can choose not to participate (it is voluntary), take the pie, or pay to re-direct it. It is to raise money for EngW/oBorders and something else. Henhef' annouced that Ma had a pie coming his way, Ma chose not to participate. Hamilton praised the fundraiser and bought a pie to send to Clelland. Clelland then re-directed it to Taylor who took the whipped cream in an aluminium pan in the face.
The Renison forum was in the cafeteria over lunchtime. It lasted about 30 minutes and I asked about five questions. Including: "What are you going to do for Renison College if elected?" "How are you going to make students interested in Feds so next year's Renison forum is more interesting?" "Why should we care?"
Some kid asked something like: How do we know if you are actually going to be able to implement what you say in your form (or forum)? Maybe he meant platform.
You might ask why I am not talking about the answers to these questions. That is a good question and there is a good answer.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
Yes things are not as bad as that, but they are not acceptable. Also candidates need to get used to being criticised (at least the ones who win do). Maybe they will learn some things over the next week.
Posted by Ryan Chen-Wing at January 31, 2004 11:55 PM