During last year’s AMS executive election, team MBT—President James Macmillan, Vice-President (Operations) Ian Black and Vice-President (University Affairs) Meghan Teuber—campaigned on a commitment to 12 promises—one for each month of the year—that, if elected, they would execute during their term. With the election of next year’s student government just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for candidates to learn how not to shoot themselves in the foot by making promises they can’t keep. Some of their initial promises worked out well, and MBT should be commended for them: Homecoming weekend was (more or less) a success, Stauffer Library was open 24 hours during exam period and All-Ages-Access was revisited and reinstated for group events. Unfortunately, other
promises fell by the wayside. MBT told the Journal they were happy they set out goals as part of their campaign, because, as Black said, “It actually is a good guide.”
Although Macmillian, Black and Teuber should be recognized for putting themselves on the line and creating an informal contract with students, it’s disappointing that they are now referring to the promises as merely a “guide”.
Students voting in the upcoming elections should be wary of similar campaign promises. Although it’s admirable for a team to outline its goals, it’s also important that these goals be feasible, realistic and not already underway.
Year after year, AMS executive hopefuls tout ambitions plans for their year at the helm, promising that theirs will be of major changes and limitless possibilities. However, when in office, they soon discover the restraints of both time and resources. In other words, there is a ceiling to their ambition (and luckily for students, there is also a ceiling to their incompetence).
Not to take away from their accomplishments, but many of MBT’s promises succeeded because of existing and external support. It’s unrealistic that they, or anyone in their position, would accomplish much alone.
Because they aren’t trying to get re-elected, it’s bizarre that MBT said they would do everything exactly the same if given another opportunity. It would have been refreshing if MBT researched their campaign “promises” better last February because a promise is a promise—not a guide. Candidates, take note.
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