6 News tuesday, 26 february, 2008 www.thegatewayonline.ca
Money’s on the mind of VP (Operations & Finance) candidates
With a $9.1 million budget, the
Vice-President (Operations & Finance) Dollansky: No. We need to stop losing
has the responsibility of ensuring money. The Powerplant is an example
that the day-to-day operations of the of a venue where the University has
SU’s businesses and services run as taken their sweet time on getting to
smoothly as possible. This year, two the table with the Students’ Union,
individuals are vying for the position. and we need to put an end to that
procrastination. We need to provide a
Compiled by Cory Tokay clear vision for the ’Plant that will be
profitable and meet the needs of both
1 What do you think about the
denial of funding to programs
or services that are popular with
our services and our business opera-
tions that could have a potential home
there.
students?
Rychlik: No, and here’s why: because
Steven Dollansky: I think we need there’s many other venues for things
to take a careful look at which ser- like concerts and stuff on campus
vices are being utilized by the most that the Powerplant does not need to ryan heise and pete yee
students and make sure we’re fund- facilitate. The Powerplant isn’t very MO’ MOney, MO’ prOBLeMs Both Peter Rychlik and Steven Dollansky want to be in charge of student dollars.
ing those services accordingly. I well built for something like that
think that there’s room for us to and other events, and the Powerplant Rychlik: Services such as the Access point where it is under-funding or showers are horrible. There’s about
improve the visibility of our services could definitely use being shut down Fund for students that are definitely harming other projects? 25 showers and maybe ten working at
in order to engage more students, for a little while, reorganized, and re- in dire need. I had a couple friends any one time, and the hot water just
and specifically with Bear Scat. I marketed and re-branded. Because the of mine who couldn’t attend uni- Dollansky: I think that the Powerplant doesn’t last. So there’s a few improve-
think we need to maintain a pro- Powerplant right now also is suffering versity this year because they didn’t is the obvious answer to a business ments such as the Phys Ed department
fessional working relationship with from the stigma of being a very empty have enough money, and the Access operation that we continue to sink which could use a little help. Same with
the operator of Bear Scat and ensure and very draining place. And no one Fund couldn’t help them out in the resources into, and we’re not receiving Humanities and just more advocacy
that it stays online until Bear Tracks really wants to be there. end. Also—this is part of my plat- the benefits out of that investment. We for a student-friendly environment,
meets its functionality. form—renovating RATT’s kitchens. need to find a solution to that prob- such as wireless in the Humanities,
Peter Rychlik: I think now that fund- 3 What kind of projects or services
would you like to see more of the
Reducing waiting times, and get-
ting new equipment in there. Some
lem immediately over the summer.
Because if September rolls around and
could definitely be worked on.
ing is a two-way street and that some-
times you have to cut what’s needed
or what’s been popular for certain
SU’s budget and time being spent on?
Dollansky: I think we need to enhance
of that equipment pre-dates RATT,
and that’s another reason you have to
wait 50 minutes for fries, and that’s
we’re still putting more money into
the Powerplant, that’s simply unac-
ceptable. I think there are a number
5 How would you survive the
Zombie Apocalypse?
things that are of more immediate the online components of our services. ridiculous. It’ll pay for itself in a year of areas for increased investment. Dollansky: I would definitely have to
importance. But you have to be careful The future of a lot of what the SU does once it’s renovated. So things that stu- Advocacy is one, and as I mentioned recruit an army of robots to fight off
what you cut and what you don’t. Just is going to be conducted online, and dents use most often for recreation, before, increasing the visibility of our the zombies on my behalf.
because something’s popular doesn’t I think we need to prepare for that. I studying—those definitely need to services, both online and in our build-
mean it’s always right—sometimes it’s think that the Students’ Union should be focused on more. Also, maybe ing, would be perhaps a more benefi- Rychlik: I wouldn’t do the whole
just got to be curtailed a little. invest significant funds into ensuring getting some new computers into the cial usage of Students’ Union money. Crtl+Alt+Del thing and put peanut-
that we’re getting the most out of our Students’ Union Building would be butter sandwiches behind my book
2 Do you think the Students’ Union
should continue to invest fund-
building’s lower level, and we need to
renovate that space in order to make
nice too. Rychlik: I could definitely see the Van
Vliet Centre and physical education
shelf, but I would definitely have to
go with the old shotgun-axe combo
ing into financially draining projects
such as the Powerplant?
it more visible and inviting a place for
students to go. 4 Is there anything you think
the SU is over-funding to the
getting something more in that sense.
Because I go there everyday, and the
and then find a bunker where I can
hide.
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