Only 2 Parties Show to Meet with Machen

Daily Utah Chronicle, January 20, 2002

Six students representing two parties competing for top student government positions met with President Machen Tuesday.

Presidential and vice presidential candidates Bill Edwards and Randall Lloyd from the Impact Party attended the meeting, as did AnnMarie Allen and Colter Hammer who are running for president and vice president with the Elevation Party.   Russell Gerrard, who is running for Student Senate with Elevation, also attended.

Representatives from Apathy and Probable Cause did not attend the meeting.

Steven Paradise of the Apathy Party did not attend the meeting because he did not know about the scheduling change.

Steve Rinehart of Probable Cause said he was too busy to go at such a late notice.

"We both have class that we couldn't miss," Rinehart said.   "It says in the elections packet that it's optional anyway."

According to Rinehart, until students elect him president, the Associated Students of the University of Utah, he will not have much to say to Machen.

"I don't have a lot to say," Machen said as he sat down with the students.   He then told the students about the relationship the U administration traditionally has with student leaders.

"It has been good," he said.   "Student body officers are integral into what's going on here.   Their counsel is something we seek out."   He also told the candidates that leaders from ASUU have an important voice and good access to him.

"I think ASUU does a good job," Machen said, concluding his remarks.   He then asked the students for questions.   For a moment the students remained silent.

"I don't know how much time he had," Lloyd later said, explaining why he did not ask many questions.

Although each student eventually asked at least one question, some issues they planned to discuss were left unmentioned.

"I wanted to ask about parking," Hammer said after the meeting.   "I don't know why I didn't."

Gerrard, who is running for Student Senate, asked the first question about funding, which launched a discussion about tuition increases and how students can influence the state Legislature.

Machen also discussed the residence halls, guns on campus and the lawsuit against parking services.

"I wish you all the best," Machen said to the candidates.   "Have fun, this is important to the university."

All of the candidates agreed that the meeting with Machen was beneficial.

"It was really insightful," Lloyd said. "It was good to see he was open."