The 2009 debate for the upcoming student body presidential and vice presidential elections, put on by the EDC (the Elections and Disputes Committee) was held at 6:30pm in the Johnson Center Atrium.

The four campaigns running for office include Anthony DiCarlo and Krista Muse, Josh St. Louis and Amanda Johnson, Dev Dasgupta and Tyler King, and Kyle McDaniel and Jillian Ferron.

The candidates, along with their vice presidents, answered a series of predetermined questions related to eight main topics–Mason culture, food, finance, student activities, parking and construction, security, the environment, and a miscellaneous category.

Each campaign was allowed five minutes for introductions and campaign statements, three minutes to answer each question presented to them, and four minutes for closing remarks.

The campaign platforms are mainly centered around helping and working for the student body. McDaniel’s campaign is not necessarily running on the basis of change. “I’m not running because I’m proposing to radically change everything,” McDaniel said in his closing remarks. “I want to do whatever it takes to help students.”

DiCarlo and Muise echoed the sentiment. “I’m in student government not for my own personal gains, but because I definitely and honestly want to help the students,” said DiCarlo. Their campaign offered concrete plans for issues such as student activities on the weekends, meal plan selections, making housing more affordable, and better communication with Parking Services.

St. Louis and Johnson feel that the current student government is “out of touch and doesn’t do what the average student wants,” as he noted in his opening statement. Johnson agreed. “Josh and I have the same vision…a student government working to serve every student.” St. Louis’ plans mainly include polling students to find out their interests.

Desgupta and King based their campaign on three specific principles: transparency, outreach, and action. “What we need is a leader who will represent diverse interests and take pride in being president of the number one up-and-coming university in America,” Desgupta said. He is pushing for a new website that would both streamline and consolidate student activities and events so that the student body is more aware of campus happenings.

A full recap of tonight’s debate will appear in Monday’s issue of the Broadside.

By Hayley Roder
Broadside Staff Writer

Posted on April 3rd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns, Top Stories | No Comments »

This is the platform posted at http://www.kylemcdaniel.org/Home/the-plan

Our platform is 3 words long: Help All Students.  And we are going to do that by doing the following:  

Spend the government’s money wiser:

Subject every spending bill to a litmus test, ensuring that money is spent only when necessary.
Force the Senate and the sponsors of spending bills to first seek out donations and discounts, ensuring that we get the most for our money.

Only spend money on programs and initiatives that benefit all students.

Increase student input into the government:

Create steering committees comprised of student leaders and students not in the government, ensuring that every program and initiative has been crafted by the opinions of not only the government, but the students.

Invite students to Senate and Cabinet meetings.

Record and publish all Senate and Cabinet meetings online within one week of the meeting.

Work with the administration, not against them:

Voice the concerns of all students to the necessary officials.

Demand reasonable explanations from administrators when projects and initiatives are shot-down, then inform students when none are given.

Build consensus with the Book Store, not attack them and create animosity and suspicion.

Increase oversight:

Place the budget online, and ensure weekly updates are done.

Seek advice from students before signing spending bills.

Start weekly electronic newsletter to update students as to what the government is doing.

Work with the local community:

Meet with local and state legislators to proactively lobby for Mason.

Work with local businesses to get students discounts, and revive and mantain Green Star.

Create incentive programs to encourage students to get plugged into the community.

Encourage community service:

Form steeting committee of service oriented student leaders and organizations to explore ways to increase Mason’s impact in the community through service projects.

Plan and implement a Student Service Week in which we encourage all students and student organizations to do a service project that helps the community.

Give students the resources and information to get plugged into community service and about volunteer opportunities.

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns | No Comments »

This is the platform posted at http://joshstlouis.com/the-platform/

 

Administrative Policy:

Spending

 

A fundamental change is needed in the area of financial aid. At one point, GMU made the Princeton Review’s list of: “Most Unsatisfied with Financial Aid.” Currently, only 1.1% of GMU’s massive budget is used for financial aid. As President, I would work with the Administration to increase spending in this area.

The Budget also needs to be readily available for students who wish to find it. Last year’s budget was 140 pages. I would work with the Treasury Secretary and the Administration to publish a condensed version, as well as one that could be readily available to students.

Currently, no section of the budget is utilized for benefits for students who work for the University. I would explore the option of tuition benefits, or discounts in dining or in the bookstore.

Safe Pro-Environment Polices

 

While student safety is no doubt incredibly important, there is no need for every light on campus to be left on at night. As someone who goes jogging late at night, I see the Aquatic and Fitness Center, the Johnson Center, and many Academic Buildings leave all of their lights on. While it is imperative that the streetlights remain on for campus safety, I believe that we save a lot of money on our electric bills if we simply advocate for more common-sense solutions in lighting.

While this may not be the most exciting or enjoyable topic, the University could save a lot of water and money if we added more “water-free” urinals in the men’s rooms on campus. There are many efficient and sanitary alternatives that could wind up saving the University tens of thousands of dollars.

A Better Informed Student Body

 

One of the major problems of our Student Government is that the general student body does now know what their elected representatives do. This concern was noted in several candidates’ platforms last year, and as a result, the Town Hall was created. I would further continue the Town Hall and expand it, as well as give a “State of the Union” type of address at the beginning of the 2nd Semester, in addition to giving weekly addresses.

Dr. Merten once said, “Student government is the mechanism by which the administration has more direct contact with the students.” We have to get back to that mindset. We need to inform the Student Body about the 10% tuition increases, and the 16.4% increase in Housing Costs, and the fact that most double rooms are turning into three person rooms. I would use a system of weekly emails, and a blog where the Vice President and I, along with other Executive Branch officials, would write. Flyers will also be posted around campus, notifying students about key Administration decisions, as well as sponsored events.

A Smaller, stronger, open Student Government

 

There are currently five Secretary and 15 Undersecretary positions in the Executive Office. The average student cannot name what they do, much less name what they are, and who heads each respective department. After evaluating the effectiveness and influence of each Department, I would make some cuts, as well as add some Departments to better serve the Student Body. My proposals are outlined in the following paragraphs.

I would create a “Secretary of Commuter Students” to better advocate and lobby their needs, on campus, and serve as my Chief liaison to the GMU Administration in the areas of parking services.

I would merge the Undersecretary of Student Organizations and the Undersecretary of Greek affairs, and have it headed under one Undersecretary, and have that person play a more active role in outreaching to clubs on campus, and aid in the creation of new student-led organizations on campus. I would also have that Department encourage more involvement between other student organizations, such as continuing and expanding the Student Government sponsored fall food drive.

I would merge the Departments of Media Relations and Advertising to create a non-Cabinet level Press Secretary role. I would work with Student Media and explore the option of having that office headed out of the Student Media office.

I would create an “Attorney General” type of Cabinet-level position that would advocate for student’s rights, and serve as a check to the University to ensure that student’s Constitutional Rights are being upheld. The first goal of this office would be to ensure the passage of the “Student Bill of Rights,” or some version of it. Eventually, I would hope to see this office be seen as the students’ lawyer, and turn into an elected position.

One of the main issues for the Attorney General would be to look at free-speech issues. An independent group, FIRE, criticizes GMU for “clearly and substantially restricting freedom of speech.” This was seen last year, as one student was banned from the JC for holding a “free hugs” sign, and another one, who was arrested for holding a sign saying that “Recruiters Lie.”

As Student Body President, I would also seek to allow the student reps to the BOV to be appointed by Student Government, and have them have a much more active role in the BOV.

The student senate is something that needs radical change. While no doubt it once served the student body, it has become outdated. If elected, I would spend my term coming up with a way to reach a fair agreement that restructures the Senate.

I would also look into merging some groups, such as Student Activities, with Student Government, so that the Student Population has even greater control of what goes on around campus.

Less Partisan Approach to governing

 

For the past two terms, we have seen President-Senate relations become extremely partisan. Student Senators are quickly labeled “liberal” and “conservative,” and act according to political philosophy. As President I would seek to end this, by giving funding to student groups not based on ideology, but based on how they have helped to make a difference at Mason.

In keeping with this mindset, I would utilize student polls on a monthly basis. Last year’s election was won and lost by 9 votes. While I am not saying that 100% of George Mason will agree with my policies, I will be making every decision with the average GMU student in mind.

In keeping this less partisan mindset, I would veto bills and resolutions that express opinions on non-Mason issues, such as National or State Issues.

More Student Input on the Issues

 

While there can be such a thing as too many polls, as mentioned I would utilize student polls on a monthly basis to gauge students’ opinions on controversial issues. For example, the decision to get rid of Gunston was based off an assumption that he was unpopular with the students, and yet the new Mascot was “booed of the stage at the first game,” and multiple Facebook groups and petitions have been circulating around campus in an attempt to “save” Gunston. The University’s decision to reform Gunston was undemocratic in the very least, and deserves the attention of the Attorney General’s office that I plan on creating.

While all of the construction projects around Mason are indeed impressive, there needs to be a check to Dr. Merten and the University, to respectively stand up and ask, “Is all of this really necessary?” While facing higher tuition and housing costs, GMU continues to sink into a hole as we build and build.

I would also seek to create post-election polling, to find out what issues were important the students, and to find out voter turnout percentages.

Student Services:

Student Life

 

To further encourage an active student life, I would further promote the “Every Freakin Friday” events that GMU holds. I would also work to make the game rooms free on weekends.

100% Wifi

 

While there is no question that Wifi access has improved drastically on campus, it is still not 100%. As President, I would work with the Administration, and respective IT departments to try to make 100% campus wifi a reality sooner rather than later. The Administration has said that 100% coverage is the ultimate goal, although in today’s fast-pace society, it should come much sooner.

Book Returns

 

Every year, right around finals season, a Facebook group will be created to complain about how the Bookstore gives poor deals on “buying back” books. I would work with the bookstore to guarantee either a 40-50% price guarantee for each returned book. If this doesn’t work, I would work to create a Student Government sponsored forum where students can buy and sell books together for decent and fair prices.

Dining

 

Southside has made meeting the dietary needs of many students so much easier. As part of my polling, I would seek to find out if students feel that if their needs are being met.

School Pride

 

This is not something that requires a lot of work to do. Something as easy as repainting school signs green and gold, having discounts on Mason dorm room items, or placing Mason’s logo on the roads and sidewalks. While this is relatively simple, it increases the “college-atmosphere” and displays Mason Pride to any visitor who steps on the campus.

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns | 1 Comment »

This platform posted at http://www.mason2009.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=61

gotMason?

“Student News On Demand”

-The student website will consolidate all information that affects the student population. –Currently, Mason students are forced to click on multiple links and go through various webpages in order to find relevant information that affects their day-to-day college experience. However, with the advent of the new website, this will no longer be the case.

-Information regarding: Parking, Goods Online Marketplace, Dining, Books, Organizations, Activities, Sports, Campus Life and other aspects of student life will be readily accessible for students.

Extended Hours During Mid-term Period & Finals

“Study til dawn”

– Extended Hours will apply to the Johnson Center Printing area, Convenience Store and Fenwick Library. Currently a significant number of students study on campus during finals week. However they are inconvenienced by the early closing of essential venues that are vital during stressful exam time. These three establishments will further bolster student convenience and allow for munchies, that paper to be printed, a computer lab…..at the very least a designated 24 hour place for students.

-Extended Hours will also apply to a designated Mid-Term period that will be in the middle of the semester and last 3 weeks.

Parking Forgiveness Act

“Sh_t happens”

-Implement a policy in which first-time offenders of parking are not penalized but given a warning to what their violation was and a suggestion on how not to commit it next time. Often time students feel targeted or victimized by Mason Parking Services and parking forgiveness can allow students to not only be educated on parking but to have a fair warning as to what is valid and invalid parking conduct and be better prepared.

Providing Consulting for New Clubs and Funding/ Jump Start also applicable to current clubs

“Our group went to Nationals and we aren’t getting reimbursed for what seems like 8 months”

-An issue many student organizations run into revolves around funding for trips and events. Often times, organizations go out of pocket in order to fund events. Moreover, many of the organizations who do understand the process are faced with a tremendous amount of red tape and must wait months until they receive any money from the school.

-The goal for this initiative is to generate a better, more streamlined process that student organizations can go through in order to receive funds. Furthermore, the initiative will also push for the creation of new clubs at Mason so individuals will more easily be able to share their diverse interests with like-minded students.

Financial Aid

“Where my refund check at?”

-Lobby for financial aid to be disbursed earlier so students have the opportunity to purchase supplies and books prior to coming to school. This will offer lower income students the opportunity to order books at cheaper prices online, instead of having to rely on the university bookstore for overpriced purchases.

College is more than studying…Let’s throw down!

“I guess spending 4 years in my cinder block dorm room is the way college is supposed to be.”

-One of the biggest issues facing student satisfaction at Mason is the lack of on-campus activities for students. This in turn, generates dissatisfaction toward the overall perception of George Mason. The sentiment is that those who live on campus leave as soon as the weekend comes.

-Student Government needs to work closely with Program Board and Student Activities in order to plan and market events to students. It needs to help change the culture at Mason and encourage block parties for sporting events, field days in the park, and more concerts/bar-b-ques that promote student interaction and generate a greater sense of belonging on campus.

Get involved!

“I have no idea how to join clubs”

-Creating the goMasonEvents listserve will allow students the choice to receive messages about events sponsored by student activities and other campus organizations. This allows clubs to reach out to students and in turn promote student involvement at the same time.

-The George Mason Student government will have kiosk in the JC two times a week outlining all events and programming occurring that week. Members representing student government will man the desk during optimum hours and also have a display detailing the activities. In order for student government to be legitimized in the eyes of the student body, they need to be proactive and find innovative ways of branching out. The Campus Announcements space on blackboard.com can be used to advertise programming events to all students at Mason. Guerilla marketing campaigning tactics will be formulated specifically for the Mason campus

Greek Housing

“Where the row at? You aint Greek”

An exploratory initiative into Greek housing that will look over the possibilities of opening residence halls to fraternities and sororities on campus and an analysis on Greek Row and school sponsored housing.

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns | No Comments »

This is the platform posted at http://anthonykrista4sg.com/issues/

1. Responsibility
We believe that student government has a responsibility to serve the student body in an effective and efficient manner. This responsibility includes but is not limited to performing our duties; foster collaboration and clear lines of communication; to be transparent in our decision making and proactive in our approach to problems and issues facing Mason students.

2. Accountability
We believe that student government needs to be held accountable to the student body. Student government members need to hold themselves to the highest degree of accountability, and must always remember that student government members are here to serve the students and not the other way around. We also want to defeat the prevailing stereotype that student government is an elitist organization, rampant with nepotism.

3. Visibility
We believe in creating innovative and provocative promotional strategies to keep students informed and involved in decisions facing the student body. By doing so, we hope to insight student activism in areas that can improve the progress of student government, and bring to light issues that may go unnoticed.

4. Communication
We believe that good, clear communication is the foundation to success. By promoting and establishing clear lines of communication, we will initiate venues for students to provide input and feedback that will allow student government to better coordinate and collaborate with students, student organizations, administration, and alumni.

5. Results
WE BELIEVE IN RESULTS! Being able to accomplish goals, on behalf and in favor of the student body is our primary objective and goal. Our unwavering commitment to creating positive changes here on campus to improve the quality of student life, is something we take very seriously, and foundation of our campaign.

School Spirit

There are so many things for Mason students to be proud of, and being a Patriot should be one of them! We are focused on fostering school spirit not only by continuing some successful Student Government events like Gold Rush, Witch Watch, and De-Stress Fest, but also by creating new traditions and increasing communication between student organizations and all students.

In order to increase the atmosphere of community, we hope to plan tailgates for all weekend home Basketball games, so that both students and alumni can celebrate some of Mason’s best athletic talent as well as increased attendance at Games of the Week. We have been in talks with the Alumni Association and they are excited to continue working with us to plan these tailgates for next year.

We also want to extend the Mason Nation into the greater Fairfax community, by finding ways to involved local businesses and organizations into Mason, through discount programs, new events, and communication.

We believe that students deserve to have a stake in the future of the campus, and we hope to provide opportunities for everyone to inject Patriot Pride into the campus, by painting murals and increasing student organizational participation in events. In order to help us all visualize the future of this University, we believe it is important for students to be able to see a diagram of the Master Plan of what the Fairfax Campus will look like once the construction projects have been completed.

With increased communication between Student Government, student organizations, University Administration and students, we hope to begin creating a culture that everyone can be proud of and happy with.

Parking & Transportation

Every year, the number one issue students talk about is parking services, and essentially what they hate about parking. We understand that parking will ALWAYS be the number one issue students have with the University. By no means can we promise that we will be able to lower rates, create additional parking or completely do away with parking tickets. What we can promise is that there will be increased communication with Parking Services on behalf of the student body, both residential and non-residential.

Future discussions with parking services would include student input on what a reasonable rate for the new parking deck opening up in the Fall 2009 would be, promoting a carpool/bicycle initiative, and increasing student awareness about the Student Parking Appeals Board. There is actually a way that students can appeal their tickets to other students!

Most importantly is the continued success of Gunston’s Go-Bus. This service which started in the Spring, has offered students a free alternative to traveling around Fairfax, Fair Oaks, and Fair Lakes. We fully intend to continue this program and service to Mason students, and will hopefully be able to expand the service even further than just the weekends.

Tuition

How many students enjoy the rising cost of tuition? The fact of the matter is that, the cost of attending Mason is going to increase regardless of how we or the student body feel about tuition increases. However there are some proactive ideas that we are proposing that would hopefully address students concerns about tuition increases.

The biggest problem facing George Mason University is the lack of public funding coming from the legislature in Richmond, VA. In conjunction with Virginia 21, and all willing student organizations, we will be sponsoring a letter writing campaign that would stress to Richmond the necessity for increased funding for the second largest university in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Additionally, we would work with the Student Accounts Office and the Financial Aid to try and streamline a process for earlier disbursement of loan checks to students, as well as address the lack of financial aid providing by George Mason University. Also, one of the most proactive ideas that we have is to hold the University administration more accountable to getting out the necessary information about tuition increases to students in a timelier manner.

Students generally understand that tuition is going to go up and that there is very little student government can do, but we pledge that we will actively advocate for students so long as we are involved in Student Government.

President’s Council

According to feedback that we have been hearing from students, the lack of community is a pressing issue for students attending Mason. There is a clear disconnect between student organizations on campus and often times, these organizations tend to focus on their sole, individual events instead of focusing on their efforts towards a larger community.

We propose what we are calling the “President’s Council.” Ideally, we would invite the Presidents of each of the 250 student organizations here at Mason to work with the two of us, on a monthly basis to discuss upcoming university wide events, as well as create a master plan for creating and addressing community here at Mason.

This council would foster inter-organizational dialogue, create increased communication, and most importantly inter-organizational cooperation on a scale that would be unmatched in Mason’s history. Realistically, we don’t expect everyone to jump on board to the idea, however we are willing to work with any and all student organizations who also agree that lack of community is a problem here at Mason, and want a venue where we can work cooperatively to addressing this issue.

Student Services

Since both we call Mason their home, and many other students do as well, it is important for Mason to offer services to students that will improve their living conditions and simplify their lives. Continuing work on the current Student Government initiatives for on-campus dry-cleaning, farmer’s markets, and sustainability we hope to bring convenience to the lives of Mason students.

We plan to put the relationship between students and Mason Police as their top priority, and hope to expand upon the Campus Safety position created by Zack and Claire. We want to provide student with both a fun and safe college campus, knowing that the interests of the students and the police are not mutually exclusive.

We also want to make sure that the needs of commuter students are being met, and we want to continue to work on finding an acceptable 24-hour study space for students. As academics are a main concern for students, we believe that a 24-hour facility will help to encompass all possible study habits of students.

We will be continuing the Vote Van Initiative which provides students with a means of getting to Woodson High School which is the current polling place for registered voters living at Mason. Additionally, we will be working with student organizations, to try and register enough voters here living at Mason to warrant a new polling place being on campus come the 2010 Census and redistricting. This service would allow Mason to host a polling place making it easier for students to become politically involved on campus.

Academics

As members of the Government and Academic Affairs committee in Student Senate, both we have worked tirelessly to improve many academic policies at Mason. Last year, we worked on expanding the credit hour window from 16 to 18, hoping to provide students with an opportunity to take more classes without a tuition penalty fee. Despite talks with the administration, and the current economic situation, we have not given up on the belief that capable students should not be penalized for wanting to take 18 credit hours. We promise to continue working on this initiative and to find a compromise with the administration.

With the first Academic Advising Expo, we hope to begin a conversation between Administrators, Departments and students about academic advising, and enact universal standards that will help students to receive advice and information about registration, majors, minors, and graduation. This also includes an initiative to put end-of-semester teaching evaluations to better use, to increase the number of on-line classes offered, and to find a way to make Blackboard more user-friendly.

We want to work with faculty and the bookstore to find a way to bring the price of textbooks down, and hope to help students to create a used buy-back program that will provide money saving options and help students to afford some of the costs of academic success.

Dining

We think that the Dining Office has done a great job of listening to students and to working with us when we have concerns and issues. We want to increase this communication, and provide many ways for the average student to get involved in providing feedback on the campus dining situation.

Affordability is always an important issue for students, and with economic times being as they are, we want to make sure that students and their needs remain the top priority.
With the introduction of Gunston’s Go Bus and the other free transportation for Mason Students, we to work with local businesses and restaurants to accept Mason Money and offer discounts for students. Students will then have the opportunity to eat off-campus while saving money and using their Mason id.

Housing

We want to foster a better relationship between Student Government and the Housing and Residence Life Office. In doing so, we hope to advocate on behalf of a campus that is becoming more residential and a student population that is feeling the pressure of price increases. We believe that residential students deserve to know about the increases in housing prices with enough time to plan accordingly, and hope to work with the Residential Students Association to plan events that will benefit the on-campus community.

With the new construction of residential buildings, we would like to see a competitive application process for a Living Learning Community dedicated to Student Organizations. By participating in campus events, community service, and academics Student Organizations would be eligible to compete for an LLC for their members. This will help to build a community atmosphere and reward Student Organizations for participating fully at Mason.

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns | No Comments »

The 2009 student body president election is growing near, and four Mason students have risen to the challenge and are actively campaigning. The official debate will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center. Can’t make it? We’ll be broadcasting the debates live on C2M in coordination with MasonVotes, as well as hosting a live chat. We hope you will stop by and join us in discussing the election.

Meet the candidates:

• Anthony and Krista
• Kyle and Jillian
• Dev and Tyler
• Josh and Amanda

To read the rules and predetermined questions being used for the debate, click here.

Debate Protocol and Outline

Fun fact: If each team spends three minutes answering all of the available questions, the debate would last 5.4 hours.

If you could ask the candidates any question, what would it be? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns, Mason Votes | No Comments »

Tomorrow a special election will be held for the position of the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, in order to fill the position left empty by the departure of Gerry Connolly. Polling stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Feb 3.

All registered voters in Fairfax County are eligible to vote and can do so at their regular polling places. You can find out where to vote using the Where do I Vote site provided by Fairfax County.

The candidates on the ballot are:

Sharon S. Bulova
Democrat

Patrick Herrity
Republican

Carey C. Campbell
Independent Green

Christopher F. DeCarlo
Independent

Among the major issues is the county budget, the education system, transportation—including an expansion of the train system—and the environment.

Over 1 million residents will be affected by the election, though officials are predicting a low turnout to the event. Rokey Suleman, Fairfax County’s general registrar, cites fatigue from the presidential election and predicted bad weather as why voter numbers will be low. 

Posted on February 2nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Votes | 2 Comments »

Despite flubbing a bit on the Presidential Oath, Barack Obama came back as his speech replicated the spirit of MLK Jr.’s “I Have A Dream.”

By Matt Todd

As our 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, like another African-American hero Martin Luther King Jr., has a dream for America.  Despite the slight slip-up in which Barack Obama forgot a line in the “Presidential Oath,” which likely conservative media will crack jokes and make a big deal out of, no surprise, his speech proceeding that made the kind of impression Martin Luther King Jr. made when he gave his famous speech in Washington D.C. August 28, 1963.  The speech was given exactly on the opposite side at the Lincoln Memorial to more than 250,000 civil rights supporters.

Barack Obama delivered the lines so intensely, without a single moment of hesitation, and really spoke effectively much like he has throughout the bulk of his campaign.  Viewers and attendees shed tears; many nodded their heads in concord; and in the end, the applause roared and the U.S. flags waved by the thousands harmoniously.  Here are my takes on several key moments in the 18-minute long speech.

Thanking President Bush and current conditions

“I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.” 

Obama’s sportsmanship has been tremendous throughout the campaign and throughout the election.  The transition has been smooth with the media, even the conservative media, being a little kinder and gentler during this process.

On the other hand, while thanking President Bush, I could not help but feel Obama was taking a few jabs at him later on when he talked about the current state of the country.

“That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

A subliminal verbal prod?  It is more than likely considering Barack Obama has been more outspoken about it through his campaign (and his Republican opponent John McCain as well who also criticized the Bush Administration), but it’s graceless to say at the Inauguration whom exactly as to blame these past four, ahem, I mean eight years.

Again though, we are reminded sadly how much the housing market has suffered, along with the job market, folding businesses, and so on.  President Obama looks to this day, this era, as a time of “change.”  Promising to stabilize the housing market, job market, health care, education, and etcetera, is a substantial promise to make, and even throughout his speech several expressions on people’s faces indicated slight fear, doubt, and wonderment.  Yet, it was only slight considering Obama’s delivery was more than confident.

Obama’s MLK Jr. moment
 

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.”

The moment in Obama’s speech that reminded me emphatically of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech (in construction and the general mood), and the highlights of that speech as well were his, “On this day…” moments.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.”

Obama shed a great deal of light unto us and assured us at that point in his speech of the possible dream he has to straighten out the sloppy politics that snarled our economy and everything else since 2001, and the fact politically we’ve been divided.  A promise of unity, a promise to end the war in Iraq, and a promise to balance the unbalanced and put a stop to the corrupted politics that put the country in near shambles to begin with.  Much like MLK Jr.’s followers in 1963, Obama helped strengthen our faith.

Once again, “Hope” and “Change”

“We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

Never forget Obama’s solid platform, one that brings change and revives the hopes of Americans.  His affirmation that we are still one of the world’s strongest nations really helped renew my conviction in the whole system.  Yet, count on Obama to assure everyone hope is not lost.

He speaks truth and knows it when he reminds us we are no less productive or inventive despite the economic crisis, our goods and services isn’t no longer necessitated, and we still have the greatest capabilities to bring back what was lost in the last eight years.  If anyone has fallen then it’s time to stand up, begin again, and make a comeback.

The lion in winter
 

“America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Not relating President Obama to the 1966 James Goldman play by any means.  Just the fact that his roaring presence could bring an end to our current state and bring us back to where we were pre-W.  Obama has made history in more ways than anyone could ever have imagined.  He’s aware of the present dilemmas and knows the challenges he’s up against as president, even more so, the first African-American president.

His messages of hope have always relayed exactly that.  It’s just whether if he’ll carry out the changes also accentuated later in those messages as well.  Can he do it?  Based on one of the most beautiful and compelling speeches ever given in history, it certainly seems as if he will try his best and for the most part succeed.

Posted on January 22nd, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns, Opinion | No Comments »

If you are on campus for Inauguration Day, George Mason University will have plenty to do. Among the events planned for January 20, you’ll be able to see the Inauguration in the JC Atrium and attend an Inaugural Ball right here on campus. 

The ceremony will start at 11:30 a.m. and can all be seen on the big screen in the Johnson Center. There will be coverage both before and after the event, so plan to come early. If you can’t make it to the Atrium, Mason Votes will be hosting a live stream of the event. 

At 4 p.m., GMU-TV will be hosting a panel of experts who will be giving a Mason perspective on the Inauguration. You can watch the show live at GMU-TV’s studio in Innovation Hall, 4th floor. Interactive on-camera participation in the event can also be found in Innovation Hall room 103.

Seating for both locations begins at 3:30 p.m. If you can’t find a seat, you can watch the on-campus cable channel 48 or see what channel GMU-TV broadcasts on near you at their website. The event is also available online via live streaming video.

Everyone is invited to send questions to the panel in real-time via Yammer, a social micro-blogging service accessible to anyone with an active gmu.edu e-mail address. By signing in to the service at www.yammer.com instant messaging to the panel will be available.

There will be a dialogue about the inauguration facilitated by Mason’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. The event will be in the Johnson Center’s Dewberry Hall at 5:30 p.m. and is an opportunity for small-group discussions of the issues in the earlier GMU-TV panel.

In the evening Mason is holding its own inaugural ball. (See the Facebook group.) From 9 p.m. to midnight, the SUB II ballroom is the place to celebrate the Inauguration of the 44th president. During the night there will be food, live music, dancing, a balloon drop, mocktails, and video coverage of all the after inauguration events. Students are invited to wear anything from formal to party clothes and dressing up in red, white or blue is recommended. There will be live performances by The Monster Band and DJ Rush Hour.

Beyond the themed activities, the campus will be have a number of other options open for students who expected classes.

• The Johnson Center will be showing movies all day.
• The new fitness center will be open from 9 a.m. to midnight.
• The SUB I game room will be open until midnight.
• Corner Pocket will be open for play from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Any members of the Mason community are invited to e-mail their photos to Mason Votes’ Flickr account, where they will be posted live into the photo stream. You can send photos from your computer, cell phone or other internet-enabled device to wither69fact@photos.flickr.com. Be aware that any photos sent to this address will fall under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Posted on January 14th, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns, Top Stories | No Comments »

President-elect Barack Obama gave an brief speech at George Mason University yesterday, urging Congress to act quickly in order to save the economy from a deeper plunge.

Obama said that both parties need to work together on an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that will “jump-start” jobs and create “long-term growth” by making energy, education, and healthcare the government’s top priorities.

See the full article and video of the speech at Connect2Mason.

Posted on January 10th, 2009 by Aram Zucker-Scharff
Filed under: Mason Learns, Mason Votes | No Comments »