2008 Woodie Awards
Hart Edmondson and Matt Bonniwell
ASUPS Presidential Candidates
Maddy Ryen
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Features
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The two had been considering running since last semester, when Bonniwell, an off-campus senator for ASUPS, e-mailed Edmondson, who was studying abroad in Vienna.
"We had in common that we wanted to work on some ASUPS traditions," Edmondson said. He has no prior ASUPS experience, but views that fact as "a strength, not a weakness."
"From this side of the aisle [not working in ASUPS], I got the idea that a lot of students felt a disconnect with ASUPS," he said.
"I think people view ASUPS as this kind of boring thing," said Bonniwell.
One of their top campaign goals is to increase outreach to students in order to make ASUPS more effective. They say the first step will be to solve communication problems within the organization, which would, in turn, make communication with students easier.
"We don't want you to have to come to ASUPS," said Edmondson. "We want to come to you."
If elected, they want to encourage ASUPS officers to make themselves available for one-on-one conversations with fellow students in the SUB and around campus. Bonniwell and Edmondson believe this will also increase attendance at ASUPS-sponsored events.
"I want to see students engaged," Bonniwell said. "They're some really good opportunities that the university offers."
Both men are also concerned that several campus traditions - such as the Hatchet and Midnight Breakfast - have lapsed and lost some of their fun over the years.
"There is a tradition committee, and their idea of tradition was creating the banners [for each class] in the SUB," Edmondson said, noting this as another example of the university misunderstanding students' desires.
Bonniwell noted the strong traditions at larger schools, and said he hoped UPS could support its own legacy.
They also advocate stronger networking between UPS students and alumni.
"Our school does not do a good job of communicating with alumni," said Edmondson.
He plans, whether elected or not, to help set up a network that "allows students to have better connections with alumni."
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