Observer endorses Becker/McCord
Observer Editorial
Observer Editorial Board
The most effective student body president and vice president should attack both broad issues of student life and address the everyday concerns of students on campus. The ticket of Ryan Becker and Nikki McCord combines these two aspects most effectively and should be elected as the 2001-2002 student body president and vice president.
The bottom line is that Becker /McCord make sense. Through broad but ambitious plans, Becker /McCord are ready to tackle the issues that will affect the student body directly. More importantly, the ticket understands the role, capabilities and limitations of student government. You won't find unrealistic plans like Grab 'n' Go in Debartolo or an all-campus formal on this platform — instead, you'll find plans that work.
Becker / McCord make sense throughout their student government careers. Becker is the senator who brought a mailbox to LaFortune and cereal to Grab 'n' Go. Despite being student government "insiders," they have fresh ideas and an enthusiasm that moves beyond the tired and redundant platform ideas of competing "insider" tickets.
Proposing "The Shirt" for basketball, a shuttle to Movies 14 and lowering bookstore prices, Becker /McCord are in tune with the little differences that student government can make to change student life. And they're not afraid to do it. "No one has ever tried," Becker said. "Everyone has complained about it, everyone has moaned about it but no one has ever tried anything."
But the little differences are just the springboard for the Becker/McCord campaign — they're ready to attack the bigger issues as well. As experienced student senators, they have already built relationships with administrators and understand how to get things done. And their ideas are truly innovative.
Becker/McCord hit both sides of the coin on the alcohol issue, offering more programming options for non-drinkers while revamping the SafeRide program. The plan for SafeRide is so practical and easy to implement it's amazing that it has never been tried before. Planning to drive to social hotspots like Turtle Creek, Lafayette and other off-campus party scenes, the proposed SafeRide program won't just sit around and wait for calls — it will go to the intoxicated students and give them a ride home. This simple yet effective plan will finally make SafeRide an effective, viable option for students.
Becker/McCord also bring a new perspective to diversity at Notre Dame. Rather than focusing on more multicultural programs at Notre Dame, Becker/McCord want to find out why majority student attendance at the current programs is so low and work to increase attendance at these events. Becker/McCord aren't naive enough to think they can solve the problem overnight — but they show the courage to find new solutions to old problems.
The only weakness of the Becker/McCord ticket could be their ambition. Their 22-page platform addresses programs ranging from an intramural, on-campus baseball field to encouraging more free speech on campus. The greatest challenge they will face in their administration is prioritizing this daunting platform.
But with their experience, enthusiasm and new practical solutions to everyday problems, Becker/McCord are clearly the choice for Notre Dame on Monday.
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, February 8, 2001
