punditry.ca — uncovering DSU elections

----- Question 1 -----

14:21 <@mike> Envision the future in a world where you are elected DSU president. How has the DSU changed in a single year?
14:22 <+Shannon> It's more of a community, it is not perfect, but it is a change. There is engagement, I have opened dialogue between many different levels: Societies, Deans, University Administration, the Community in general, our Federal Lobby Groups. There needs to be more transparency to all students from all campuses
14:24 <+Shannon> We have a great events, we have huge support for all different societies. Students care. We just need to help them become more engaged and learn more about what is affecting them and what is important
14:24 <+Eric> There are a number of new things that I would expect would be in place. Late night study space, ideally 24 hours, would be in place. We would have new policies on Sustainability, as well as Recruitment to clarify our hiring and appointing practices. The HSA would be more structured in terms of policies and understanding it mandate, and ANSSA would be organized with its new funding as well as having graduate student policies.
14:27 <+Shannon> Specifically I would love to see an audit of the DSU done by the sustainability office. We have so much potential to bring our campus to a higher standard and the DSUSO can help us do that
14:28 <+Eric> Societies would have greater resources available to societies, particularly advertising methods and expanding the grants budget, and we would have expanded student representation on the Senate, if not the Board of Governors.
14:29 <@mike> Great. I have no follow-up to that question.

----- Question 2 -----

14:29 <@mike> The next question is Lightning Round: both candidates will respond simultaneously, can have a conversation, etc.
14:30 <@mike> also, if Debogorski has entered the building, please identify yourself to me.
14:30 <@mike> the question: What is an issue you think is unique to graduate students, and how will you help?
14:30 <@mike> fire away.
14:30 <+Eric> A big one is research funding. NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR are crucial issues to graduate students that don't really have an impact on undergrads.
14:31 <+Shannon> The issues of Grad students are those different of Undergrad students. For them it is no longer about tuition at the same level it is for Undergrads
14:31 <+Eric> I'd like to see a concrete policy in ANSSA to look at the creation of provincial research council.
14:31 <+Eric> Other provinces have them, we should as well.
14:31 <+Shannon> Instead, it is about funding, it is about supervision. We need to work more closely with the Research Councils to make suire funding becomes a priority
14:31 <+Eric> Also, we need to look at the proportion of research and development in NS that handled by universities.
14:32 <+Eric> It's disproportionately high compared to other provinces.
14:32 <+Shannon> We need to see better policies out of CASA to make sure the DSU is representing all Dalhousie Students, and not just the Undergraduate students.
14:32 <+Eric> This means we need to decrease the burden, or increase the funding, preferably the latter.
14:32 <+Eric> Shannon is right about CASA, but we already have some policies on that front. Yes, there's always more we can do, but ANSSA should be our focus.
14:32 <+Eric> There are absolutely no graduate policies in ANSSA right now.
14:32 <+Shannon> We also need to make sure we are proactively talking to DAGS and not just reacting to issues that they are having. DAGS is a major force for Grad students at Dalhousie and we need to make sure we are using it to it's full capability
14:32 <+Eric> I want to use the Graduate Student Advisory Committee to accomplish that.
14:32 <+Eric> Get consultation on graduate issues and move forward from there.
14:33 <+Eric> Also, I talk a lot about 24 hour study space. In particular, for graduate students, they need to have access to their lab or research areas and materials.
14:33 <+Shannon> I agree with Eric about ANSSA. I think having a Comprehensive Review of PSE in Nova Scotia will be one way of helping ANSSA create these policies
14:33 <+Eric> We can't expect students to operate on a 9-5 schedule. That's not the reality here.
14:33 <+Eric> A comprehensive review of PSE is a great idea, and we should work on it, but it's unrealistic.
14:33 <+Eric> Provincial politicians hate the idea.
14:33 <+Shannon> There are so many issues in Nova Scotia when it comes to PSE, specifically to Grad Students, but without taking a look at the structure of PSE now, it's hard fofr us to know where to go
14:34 <+Eric> Policy is great, and let's keep talking about it, but we should focus first and foremost on what we can actually accomplish.
14:34 <@mike> final thoughts?
14:34 <+Eric> That, and making sure we put top issues on the table.
14:34 <+Shannon> They have done reviews in Ontario of the PSE structure and it did a lot for PSE and it did a lot of OUSA
14:34 <+Eric> Graduate student issues are imperative. I intent to cooperate with both DAGS and the new Graduate Student Advisory Committee to make sure the DSU represents the interests of all students, not just undergraduates.
14:34 <+Shannon> For OUSA, sorry
14:35 <@mike> thank you both!

----- Question 3 -----

14:35 <@mike> at this time we'll turn to questions from the punditry.ca pundits.
14:36 <@mike> starting with Lisa
14:36 <+Lisa> I think most would agree that there should be greater student representation on the committees of the Board of Governors and Senate. Please choose ONE committee from EACH body for which you feel it is MOST important to seek increased student representation.
14:36 <@mike> Lisa, would you like to go Lightning Round or Structured?
14:37 <+Lisa> structured, please
14:37 <@mike> Eric?
14:39 <+Eric> For the Board of Governors, it is absolutely the Steering Committee. This is the committee that sets the agenda for the Board, so the only way we can put any issues on the table ourselves as it stands now is by asking the university nicely. We need to have a student sitting on this committee. As for Senate, I would like to see another student on the Steering Committee there as well, though we have one now.
14:39 <+Shannon> For both Senate and for BoG I think the most important committees for increase student representation is the Steering Committee. The VP Education does more work with Senate then the President does and it is important that they are included in on the Steering committee. The two positions, President and VP Education, would be a powerhouse.
14:40 <+Shannon> For BoG, the Steering committee finalizes the agenda and identifies issues for the Board to focus on.
14:40 <+Shannon> The committee works closely with the President as well the the Administration so having a students voice on that committee is vital
14:40 <+Eric> As a member of the Senate Committee on Governance, I believe I can ensure we have at least two students on every committee in the Senate, or on track to have it, by the end of my term.
14:41 <+Shannon> I have already started work on increasing student membership on committees as a Board member and know that my voice is being heard and there is already movement being done to change the structure of the Steering Committee on BoG
14:42 <@mike> Thanks.
14:42 <@mike> Lisa, any follow-up?
14:42 <+Lisa> Not a follow-up, but I do have another question

----- Question 4 -----

14:43 <@mike> Lisa: fire away!
14:43 <+Lisa> I am a third year law student who also completed my undergraduate degree at Dalhousie. By my observation, law students generally do not venture far beyond the walls of Weldon to get involved with the DSU.
14:43 <+Lisa> Council Chair, LSS VP External, and Advocacy Service volunteers are exceptions, but law students can be an invaluable resource on DSU committees, particularly those related to policy development and constitutional revision (not to toot my own horn).
14:43 <+Lisa> How do you propose to better-involve law students in the inner-workings of the DSU?
14:44 <+Lisa> Let's go for a Lightning Round on this one
14:44 <@mike> candidates, fire away.
14:44 <+Shannon> I have already consulted with the Law Students Society about how to get them better engaged. More discussion about Domus Legis. It is easy for the Executive to go to those students, attend their council meetings, and discuss ways of having the DSU sponsor their events, attend their events, and help law students relate to one another as well as the University.
14:45 <+Eric> I would like to see a student from Law on the Board of Operations at all time for their legal and policy expertise. This is something we can accomplish by making sure we advertise well in the Weldon, and talking to members of the Law Students Society.
14:45 <+Shannon> They are all concentrated in the Weldon Law Building. That is a perfect avenue to start talking to them
14:45 <+Eric> Also, my platform states that I will go to meet with every faculty and residence society at least once during my term. In that capacity, I would like to advertise the opportunities that we do have to get involved.,
14:45 <+Shannon> Domus Legis is a huge thing for them, something they really want, and something I am willing to work with them on and help them with the University Administration
14:46 <+Eric> Also, I don't think the importance of DSAS can be overstated, either to students using the service or law students gaining experience from doing it.
14:46 <+Eric> And as I mentioned, I'd like to see more grants funding available not just to the Law Students Society and other law societies, but all societies on campus.
14:47 <+Eric> Another important society is the Environmental Law Students Society, which I would like to see collaborating with the DSU Sustainability Office and other sustainability-related societies.
14:47 <+Eric> I know that one issue has been with double-sided printing in the Weldon Law Building, where the lack of it is unusual compared to most other places on campus.
14:48 <@mike> candidates, final thoughts.
14:48 <+Eric> Law students are an invaluable resource to the DSU, and we should make sure we are getting them involved in any way we can. Particularly on the Board of Operations and DSAS.
14:48 <+Shannon> More I just plan on going into the building encouraging students to contribute with their knowledge of policies in order to help the DSU
14:49 <@mike> thank you. Lisa, follow-up?
14:50 <+Lisa> I have a follow-up on something Eric said.
14:50 <@mike> go ahead, though of course both candidates can respond to you.
14:52 <+Lisa> I've personally never had any trouble printing my documents double-sided in the Law library.
14:52 <+Lisa> Is that something you heard from Law students?
14:52 <@mike> Shannon, Eric, feel free to respond
14:52 <+Eric> Yes, it is. I've heard it over the course of my discussions, and it may simply be that this is not the default setting as it is in other locations.
14:53 <+Eric> Having the option there is still great, but I'd like to see the use of double-sided, reused and recycled paper become the default on campus.
14:53 <+Shannon> I think one of the biggest problems I've heard is how to make photo copiers double sided. There are instructions on the walls, however, none by the photo copiers.
14:53 <+Eric> I talk a bit in my platform about a paper reduction campaign, going to Senate and all of the Faculty Councils to suggest ways of reducing paper usage in the classrooms.
14:54 <+Shannon> Obviously, we would love to have instructions for both and have them both set to default print double-sided
14:54 <@mike> final thoughts?
14:55 <+Shannon> I think this is another way we can use the DSUSO as a resource of the DSU. That's there job and we are not using them to their full potential
14:55 <+Shannon> If there are problems in the Weldon Building, DSUSO is the perfect body to work on them.
14:55 <+Eric> Paper reduction is a great, easy sustainability initiative that is usually easier to get people behind than some other initiative. I hope we can work on it both in a Law context as well as the university more broadly.
14:56 <@mike> thank you both.

----- Question 5 -----

14:56 <@mike> we turn now to punditry.ca's Mark Coffin
14:56 <@mike> Mark?
14:57 <+MarkCoffin> In past years we've seen executive teams work very well together, and very poorly together. Different presidents have taken different routes on their own personal role on the executive team. As president do you see yourself more as a coach, a captain, a manager? How exactly will you aim to make the exec team work as well as possible?
14:57 <@mike> Mark, Lightning or Structured?
14:58 <+MarkCoffin> structured please
14:58 <+Shannon> Can I ask for clarification?
14:58 <+MarkCoffin> sure
14:58 <+Shannon> What do you see as being the difference between a captain and a manager?
14:59 <+MarkCoffin> a captain takes the direction of the coach or manager to try and keep the team on the same page, where as a manager (or coach) would simply dictate
14:59 <+MarkCoffin> no more hints
14:59 <@mike> Shannon, you're up first.
15:01 <+Shannon> I would be a captain. The coach provides direction, where as the captain is an active player in the game. It's not my job to tell an executive what to do. Instead, I should be bringing us together as a team and helping them work on their individual strengths and weaknesses as they should be doing the same for me. I should be assessing how the team works together and how one person's abilities works well with the others.
15:02 <+Eric> I think we need constant and clear communication between all five executive so that we can support one another to present a united front. "Captain" seems to be the closest title, but I see the role of the President as a two way street: bringing ideas and advice to all of the other portfolios, while providing support to the other executives on their own initiatives. The President has to take initiative, but shouldn't micromanage the other executives.
15:03 <+MarkCoffin> I would like to delve a bit further if I may
15:04 <@mike> let me give them each a shot at responding again first...
15:04 <@mike> Shannon, response?
15:04 <+Shannon> The captain is the one that everyone turns to for advice and motivation. I was captain of my Rugby team, I was President of Shirreff Hall. I know how to work within a team.
15:06 <+Eric> The experience and the knowledge I've gained over the course of my involvement with the DSU and other organizations is be a valuable resource I would offer to the other executives.
15:06 <@mike> MarkCoffin: delve away
15:06 <+MarkCoffin> Both of you have campaign promises that intersect with the other executives portfolios to some degree. How will you go about achieving those goals without overstepping your bounds as captain, (the title you've both chosen)?
15:09 <+Eric> I explicitly say in my platform that I want to work with the other executives in achieving the goals that intersect with their portfolios. I've discussed some of them with other candidates and have generally been well received. If an executive and I were ever to come into conflict on something directly in his/her portfolio, even after I made my case, I would defer to him/her and accept his/her decision.
15:09 <+Shannon> I think Executive meetings are important. I also want to have more one on one meets with the individual executive, laid out at specific times throughout the month, regardless of what is going on specifically in their portfolio at that time. I think it is vital the President knows exactly what is happening with each executive so that I can be as educated as possible.
15:10 <+Eric> I agree with Shannon, executive meetings are crucial. I also think there needs to be a full time focus on what's going on with them, and that means getting involved in their events or initiatives directly: not just talking, but doing.
15:12 <+Shannon> I will help the executive with their tasks just as much as I'd love input on the job that I'm doing. I want to promote free flow of ideas among all the positions.
15:12 <@mike> Excellent, thank you candidates and thank you, MarkCoffin.

----- Question 6 -----

15:12 <@mike> we turn now to Ann Beringer (aeb)
15:12 <+aeb> Thank you mike.
15:13 <+aeb> My question is:
15:13 <+aeb> For the last year I was away from Dalhousie on a co-op work term. In the course of a year many of us have to (or choose) leave for internships or clinical placements in Halifax or outside the province. While away I found that it was difficult to remain engaged, though not for lack of trying.
15:13 <+aeb> Remembering that co-op students (outside of management) traditionally come from minority/underrepresented groups (CS, engineering, nursing, etc.), what is the one thing you would do as DSU president to reach out to this demographic and make them feel included and informed?
15:13 <+aeb> Structured, please.
15:13 <@mike> Shannon, you're up.
15:15 <+Shannon> Thanks Ann. I think there are simple ways of doing this like working with the VP Internal on our website and creating better DSU Dispatch e-mails. Also, I think it comes down to again working with these societies. They struggle with keeping co-op students informed just as much as the DSU does and more collaboration between the two can help alleviate the problems for both sides.
15:16 <+Eric> Increasing our online presence is one particular way to accomplish this. Particularly on our website, I want to have more advertising of positions, more information about what's new, and finally getting our minutes up online regularly.
15:16 <+Eric> There are limits to the opportunities we can offer to students outside of the city, but I think the bare minimum we can do is to put the information there for those who seek it.
15:17 <+Shannon> I have no rebuttal
15:18 <+Eric> The biggest issue on the co-op front is making sure people who are away for a term can still be involved the following term. For that reason, I want to see more positions become single term, but renewable.
15:18 <@mike> aeb, followup?
15:19 <+aeb> No, those were great answers.

----- Question 7 -----

15:19 <@mike> pundits, more questions?
15:19 <@mike> John has a question
15:20 <+John> Thanks.
15:20 <+John> The offices of the DSU executives are hidden away from the prying eyes of the public. Most students will never work up the courage or anger needed to track you down for a meeting to offer genuine feedback. Thus, the traditional distance between the executive and the student body is likely to remain unless you make a specific effort to throw yourself into direct contact with the masses.
15:20 <+John> Do either of you have any concrete plans to help break down the barriers that exist between student government (particularly the executive) and the average student?
15:20 <+John> (Avoid mentioning the word "Imagine.")
15:21 <@mike> John: lightning / structured?
15:21 <+John> Structured
15:21 <@mike> Eric.
15:23 <+Eric> Beyond the I-word campaign (which was a pretty big success, and I think could be even more so in the future), I think visiting the faculty and residence societies, as well as other active societies would be helpful. Dropping by Classics Coffee or Muggy Mondays is a great way to chat with students who probably aren't very involved with the DSU and grab a snack doing it. Plus, there's always spending time on each campus.
15:24 <+Shannon> Great question John. I loved your idea last year. You planned on actively soliciting students for feedback by offering cookies. I would love to be able to do something simple like this not only in the SUB but in on every campus: in the Tupper link, in the Alumni Lounge. Other ideas were putting tiger paws on the floor leading to the Exec offices or improving on the signage in the SUB.
15:26 <+Eric> I think the focus has to be not just on being available to students (very important), but taking the DSU to them. I also think a General Meeting in September to introduce the DSU to new students would go a long way.
15:27 <+Shannon> I think the Executive needs to talk even more specifically right now about how to be more involved on Carleton Campus. There is nothing right now, we need to fix that! Just start simple.
15:27 <+Shannon> There. That was my rebuttle

----- Question 8 -----

15:28 <@mike> John, did you want to ask a follow-up?
15:28 <+John> Not on that particular question, though I did have a short second one.
15:29 <+John> Is that permitted?
15:29 <@mike> sure, why not.
15:29 <+John> Great.
15:29 <+John> Recently, a presidential candidate used an unflattering term to describe the students gathered at the AGM. I wanted to give him a chance to come up with a new more positive description, but he hasn't shown up.
15:29 <+John> Would either of you like to give it a shot? My challenge is to come up with as many positive adjectives as you can that describe the students of Dalhousie University - the more grandiose, the better. I'd like this to be a lightning round.
15:30 <+Eric> Innovative. Intelligent.
15:30 <+Eric> Passionate.
15:30 <+Shannon> Engaged
15:30 <+Shannon> Educated
15:30 <+Eric> Busy.
15:30 <+Shannon> Leaders
15:30 <+Eric> Students!
15:30 <+Shannon> Inspirational
15:30 <+Eric> Dalhousians!
15:30 <+Eric> Haligonians!
15:30 <+Shannon> hahaha
15:30 <+Eric> Diverse.
15:30 <+Shannon> Compassionate
15:30 <+Shannon> Motivated
15:30 <+Eric> Critical thinkers.
15:31 <@mike> final adjectives?
15:31 <+Eric> Totally awesome.
15:31 <+Shannon> Wicked cool
15:32 <@mike> pretty sure there were adverbs in there, but we'll that slide this one time.

----- Question 9 -----

15:32 <@mike> aeb is the last pundit on my speakers list. aeb?
15:32 <+aeb> NSPIRG has been a hot-button issue since the DSU AGM last week. Some candidates have come out in support of them while others are calling for a referendum to gauge student support. As this is going on NSPIRG and supporters are laying claims that the majority do not know who NSPIRG is and what they really do.
15:32 <+aeb> To prove you are (or are not) informed I would like to take this time in lightning round form for the two of you to name as many NSPIRG working groups (past or present), campaigns and publications of theirs as you can. No cheating by looking at the website.
15:33 <+Eric> Student Coalition Against War.
15:33 <+Eric> Food Not Bombs.
15:33 <+Shannon> Attack on Move film event
15:33 <+Eric> Seymour Green
15:33 <+Eric> Students for 911 Truth.
15:33 <+Shannon> Anti-Oppression Youth Education Project
15:33 <+Eric> I don't know if Students Mobilizing for Action on Campus is or not.
15:33 <+Shannon> Humans Against Homophobia
15:33 <+Shannon> Students Coaltion Against War
15:34 <+Eric> That's all I know without looking.
15:34 <+Shannon> Alternative Frosh Week
15:34 <+Shannon> They organized an Alternative Orientation Week
15:34 <+Eric> With CKDU and the Women's Centre.
15:35 <@mike> final thoughts?
15:35 <+Shannon> They have community garden
15:35 <+Eric> Working groups is a ratification issue we're going to have to look at carefully. We expect ratification in other cases, such as department level societies under faculty level societies. We should seriously consider doing the same for NSPIRG.

----- Question 10 -----

15:36 <@mike> first on my speakers list is dp
15:36 <@mike> ... who appears to have left the building.
15:37 <@mike> ok, I'll ask their question and they can read about it in the transcripts.
15:38 <@mike> "I would like to ask each of the candidates for their position on NSPIRG."
15:38 <@mike> let's go structured on this. Shannon.
15:40 <@mike> Shannon requested clarification of that question, and without dp here I can't provide it. That's going to be the last question I ask for someone not here.
15:41 <+Shannon> As a candidate for President I feel this is an issue that needs to be decided by ALL students, not just those yelling the loudest. We need consultative process that allows both sides to express their arguments and gives ALL students a chance to have their say. Clearly there is a need for this debate as demonstrated at the AGM.
15:42 <+Eric> The important thing to remember when dealing with NSPIRG is that they are a society, and entitled to the rights and privileges that come with that status. However, they also are subject to the responsibilities of being a society, particularly accountability to the student body. Their referendum is about 18 years old, and that's why I think we need to have a new referendum. That way, we put the decision in the hands of all students.
15:43 <+Shannon> I agree with Eric. A referendum is fair and needed in order to get the result that students want.
15:44 <+Eric> Thanks, Shannon. If anyone would like to learn more about my thoughts on this matter, I suggest you check out my website at www.ericsnow.ca and read my post on the NSPIRG situation.
15:44 <@mike> there you have it, answers for a questioner who is not here.

----- Question 11 -----

15:45 <@mike> next on my speakers list is mib_694hrn. mib_694hrn , why don't you introduce yourself and then ask your question?
15:45 <+mib_694hrn> Thanks Mike. Emily Here! Both of you have great ideas for the DSU outlined in your platforms. Do you have any criticism for your fellow candidates' platforms? How is yours better? Be specific.
15:46 <+mib_694hrn> structured, please.
15:46 <@mike> excellent. Eric, you're up.
15:48 <+Eric> I commend Shannon for having fixed the issue with storm closure policy in her platform. However, I feel that Shannon's platform is focused too much on micromanaging the portfolio of the Vice President (Internal), such as the website. On sustainability, I feel I've laid out a much clearer plan of action on how to get things done. Also, I haven't seen very much in the way of new ideas. There's plenty of talk, but not enough action.
15:49 <+Shannon> I think there is a lot of things in my fellow candidate's platforms that requires more money then what the DSU has right now. We are presently in a recession and the current VPFO is budgeting for a deficit and I have not seen concrete ideas of where more funding is coming from to go towards grants and study space. I appreciate both candidates' ideas, but we have to work within our means.
15:50 <+Eric> I think we need to have concrete ideas on how to work with our external lobbying organizations. Shannon's platform doesn't state many new ideas, where I talk about talking a real leadership role in ANSSA in particular.
15:52 <+Shannon> Simply again, I think we do not have the money for the type of things that have been introduced through both candidates platforms whereas my platform is measured and responsiblle
15:52 <@mike> thank you both.

----- Question 12 -----

15:54 <@mike> bobbyg has a question. bobbyg, introduce yourself and ask away
15:55 <+bobbyg> hey, I'm Bobby and I just wanted to shift the debate a little bit to my home turf of Sexton.
15:55 <+bobbyg> What specific faculty-wide issues are you aware of on Sexton and how will you support students on the identified issues?
15:55 <+bobbyg> structured please
15:56 <@mike> Shannon: sexton issues?
15:57 <+Shannon> I recently had a lengthy discussion with Architecture and Engineering students about faculty issues. Presently, the Engineering program is on 2 year probation because their facilities and programs are not up to the accreditation program criteria. I think it is important students realise that Engineering is on a 3 year probation and that major changes need to take place within the faculty or the Engineer program will suffer.
15:59 <+Eric> One issue I've seen from my time on Senate is issues with the academic integrity process. There have been some discrepancies between the way cases are dealt with at the faculty level in engineering compared to other faculties. The student discipline process is still very new and we need to keep a close eye on this and other issues.
15:59 <+Eric> Then for the DSU, there's also always the issue of having a solid presence on Sexton Campus.
16:01 <+Shannon> The AIO process does affect all students, but specifically, the Engineering Faculty is going to be running into some fairly substantial obstacles in the next 3 years and we need to become more aware of it.
16:02 <+Eric> I have of experience in dealing with academic issues at the Senate level. I know all the people to talk to, and how everything structure works. I'd love to hear about more issues, since I feel I'm the best candidate to address them.
16:03 <@mike> thanks Eric.

----- Wrapping Up -----

16:03 <@mike> folks, we are all out of time.
16:03 <@mike> Apologies to those of you still on the speakers list, but feel free to ask your questions in other arenas or forums, or by emailing candidates.
16:04 <@mike> Remember to attend the in-person debate tomorrow at 6pm in the Grawood: it will be just like this, but with cheap beer.
16:04 <@mike> Also please remember to vote this Tuesday through Thursday, and tell your friends.
16:04 <@mike> I'd like to thank the candidates profusely for their time.
16:05 <@mike> Thank you all for attending, and have an excellent evening.
16:05 <@mike> Before you all leave, the candidates do have closing remarks.
16:05 <+Eric> Thank you, Mr. Smit, and everyone at punditry.ca for putting all of this together.
16:06 <+Eric> Thanks everyone for coming out, to Mike Smit, the folks and punditry.ca and everyone else for their great questions. I feel that what we have seen over the course of this debate is that each of us have our own experiences from our time at Dalhousie that would serve us well in the position. However, I feel that the vision and fresh ideas that I can bring to the DSU would make me the best candidate to become the next President.
16:07 <+Shannon> Again, I would like to thank Mike Smit, the Pundits, as well as everyone for logging on to this online debate. I look forward to talking to more of you and answering more questions as we enter the last 24 hours of campaigning. As always, please visit my website as well as my blog, which you can find at www.voteshannon.com. And please, on March 17th-19th vote me, Shannon Zimmerman, for DSU President.
16:07 <@mike> and that's the final word. Good night!