8C - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2003
Students First claims 13 MS seats
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By Andrew Kaplan
Daily Staff Reporter
After nearly 8,500 students voted in the Michigan Student
Assembly elections - exceeding last year's turnout by more
than 1,500 voters - Students First Party candidates Angela
Galardi and Monique Perry emerged with the top executive
officer positions on MSA.
According to official MSA election results, Galardi beat
out University Party presidential candidate Jon Clifton and
Defend Affirmative Action Party presidential candidate Kate
Stenvig for control over the assembly's executive arm. Galar-
di and vice presidential running mate Monique Perry gar-
nered 403 more votes than Clifton's ticket, and 2,709 more
votes than Stenvig's ticket.
Students First candidates also claimed 13 of 25 open rep-
resentative seats on MSA, with U Party candidates taking
another nine and DAAP candidates walking away with two
seats total from Rackham and the Law School.
Alluding to her diverse coalition of supporters and repre-
sentatives, Galardi said her platform, which combined ongo-
ing projects with upcoming campus improvements, was key to
the election victory. "The thing on our agenda that's different
from the other agendas was that it really had something on it
for every student, whether you were in the Greek system, an
athlete, whether you live by the rock or you live by North
Campus," she said. "It wasn't just geared at one community."
Students First candidates also saw wins on the LSA Stu-
dent Government, with LSA junior David Matz picking up
the government's presidency by 429 votes. "We all cam-
paigned really hard, and we all made sure we campaigned
for the team," Matz said. "Students First really picks stu-
dents who represent their communities."
Although the U Party failed to attain executive control over
MSA and LSA-SG, members said they are confident next
fall's elections will yield more victories.
"(We'll return) with more vigor and excitement, and I'm
excited for next fall," said MSA Rep Andrew Roskamp, who
won one of three seats available for the College of Engineer-
ing. "Unfortunately, there was a little bit of the negative
influence that we had to endure through, so I think some of
that will be gone in the next election." U Party candidates
claimed all three Engineering seats.
"I think a lot of the e-mail rumors went to their advan-
tage, and a lot of the untrue rumors went to their advan-
tage," MSA presidential runner-up Jon Clifton said,
referring to allegations of racism against the U Party over
remarks made by candidate Adam Haba. "I think we need to
step it up in the next election," Clifton added.
Looking ahead to the next term, Galardi and Matz said the
coexistence of three political parties will not impinge on
their ability to unite representatives.
"Everyone's been getting along well and its not going to
be a problem," Galardi said. "What's most important is that
the reps on the assembly follow us in that attempt to make
sure everyone's working together."
"LSA-SG has historically been less bipartisan on party
lines than MSA," Matz said. "I've met and spoken to a lot of
U Party candidates, and I'm sure we'll all get along together
and have a good time"
When voters logged onto the elections website last week,
they viewed an MSA ballot surveying student opinion on the
University's admissions policies. The ballot question fol-
lowed a trail of concern over an MSA resolution supporting
University admissions policies in February.
Out of 6,431 respondents, 2,675 students said they did not
support the "use of race-conscious Affirmative Action in (the
University's) admissions policy." But 2,622 students said they
supported the policies, while another 1,134 respondents said
they required more information to make a decision.
Although students voted against University admissions
policies by an 18-vote margin, Galardi said MSA's stance
on the issue will be determined by student opinion and
assembly discretion.
"It's going to be a combination of both," she said. "Obvi-
ously we'll have to see how the assembly feels too. We have
a whole new assembly starting on Tuesday so it's going to
depend on how they feel too."
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BRENDAN O'DONNELL/Daiiy
Michigan Student Assembly members get down to business.
V '
welcomes new S dean
By Adam Rosen
For the Daily
Current LSA Dean Terrence McDonald was tenured as dean of LSA
on July 1 st, 2003 after receiving approval by the Board of Regents.
Peggy Burns, assistant dean of communications and marketing in LSA,
said she feels that McDonald was appointed to the 5-year term of LSA
dean because he was the best candidate for the job in an extensive search
that included candidates from many different schools all over the country.
"The fact that there was such a broad, nationwide, search for the dean
clearly indicates that Terrence McDonald is absolutely qualified for the
job," Burns said.
Because the deans of all separate colleges within the University
report to the provost, Provost Paul Courant undertook the search. How-
ever, all provost recommendations require presidential approval, and
then confirmation by the Regents for an appointment to take place.
At this point in time, McDonald said he has received approval from
the provost and President Mary Sue Coleman.
LSA Associate Dean of Planning and Finance Phil Han-
lon said he feels that McDonald was chosen for his unique
understanding of the LSA.
"I think Terry brings a lot of strength to the position,"
Hanlon said. "(McDonald) strongly values the undergradu-
ate education. Also, he has a very keen sense of what the
strengths are of the college of LSA," Hanlon added.
McDonald arrived at the University in 1980, after receivingk
his PhD in American history from Stanford University. His F
administrative positions include serving as associate dean of
LSA from 1995-2000, serving for one semester as interim
Chair of the History Department, and serving as interim dean
of LSA since July 2002.
According to the press release issued by the University,
McDonald has written or edited four books and has
received numerous teaching awards for his work as Profes- McDonald
sor of History.
Rackham student Karen Miller has known McDonald, who has served
as her academic advisor, for 10 years and said she feels McDonald "is an
excellent diplomat - that is, he is very good at listening to people, and
good at figuring out how to coordinate people's needs."
Although McDonald seems to be enjoying widespread support among
many members of the faculty, many on the faculty agree that the respon-
sibilities required by the Dean will be no easy task.
"The budget issues will of course be pressing on all of us," Hanlon
said. "He'll have to deal with it whether he chooses to or not."
This year the University endured one of the largest state-sanctioned
budget cuts in several years, and is looking forward to a further decrease
in funding if Governor Jennifer Granholm's proposed budget is adopted
by the State Legislature.
"We are dealing with difficulties in the budget, and [McDonald] must face
that, and raise money externally," Provost Courant said.
McDonald said he agrees with the many faculty members who feel
that his most pressing issue upon assuming the role of dean will be
dealing with the tight budget.
"The most important issue facing me will be to maintain
our high quality of education in the face of state restric-
tions," McDonald said.
However, dealing with the state budget is not the only dif-
ficult responsibility McDonald will assume if he is con-
firmed as LSA dean.
"The Dean of LSA manages a budget of $214 million
and oversees 1,100 employees," McDonald said. "In addi-
tion, 70 percent of all undergrads at the University are in
LSA," he added.
Burns said she has little doubt that McDonald can perform
to the level of his appointment. "I think his leadership will
take [LSA] to new heights," Burns said. "He will expand the
top departments of LSA, while maintaining the strengths of
the all departments."
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