Two veterans, one rookie compete for UA chair

Three candidates are vying tonight to become the next chairperson of the Undergraduate Assembly. Two of them, Wharton sophomore Dan Debicella and College junior Dan Schorr, have served on the UA previously. The third, Engineering freshman Manny Calero, is the dark horse of this year's election having no prior UA experience. Schorr announced his candidacy almost a month ago, when election results were announced in early March. At that time, Debicella said he was going to run for the position of treasurer. But, Debicella announced his candidacy for chair Monday night, and said that if he does not win the position, he will run for treasurer. Calero declared his candidacy last night, saying that his announcement came after much discussion with current and former UA members. "After speaking with them, along with the outgoing UA chair [College junior Seth Hamalian], I've concluded that being UA chair requires three things -- objectivity, being a charismatic leader and the time commitment," he said. "I believe that I am committed, willing and ready to serve as UA chair." But other UA members said Calero's inexperience and relative youth are major impediments to his ability to serve as chair. "I'm wondering if it's possible for an inexperienced UA member to know how to run the UA effectively as chairperson," College freshman and UA member-elect Laurie Moldawer said last night. "I'd like to see someone with experience." UA member and College freshman Sabrina Gottlieb voiced similar sentiments, saying that even after one semester of experience, she would not be prepared to serve as chairperson. "You have to know administrators, Trustees and how things run in the school," she said. "I don't think I have that experience." Gottlieb and Moldawer both said they did not know Calero very well. "I think the person who runs the UA should be somebody that a lot of people in the UA know and can trust," Gottlieb said. "You put a lot of trust in the chairperson to steer you in the right direction. I just don't see how it can work." Hamalian said Calero has had experience in the past. At the same time, he said "a somewhat clean political slate is a benefit to the UA." "I believe the most qualified candidate is Manny Calero," he said. "He is sincerely committed to put his time and energy into providing the UA with the type of charismatic leadership it needs?a charisma I am not convinced the other two candidates have." Calero said student involvement and gaining respect for the UA are his two main goals. Calero supports the University's Racial Harassment Policy and is opposed to the assigned housing proposal of the Commission on Strengthening the Community. · Schorr said he hopes to "get rid of nebulous debates" if elected UA Chair. "I want to work on consensus to change specific things about the University," he said. "The UA has focused on irrelevant debates and missionless projects and has been in general disarray. That must change." Schorr, who is going into his fourth term on the UA, founded the First Amendment Task Force last fall and has been a staunch advocate of free speech at the University. He has also had several ideological differences with Hamalian throughout the year. "He's been involved in the UA for a long time," Hamalian said of Schorr. "But I am not so sure that that is a good thing because he brings a lot of baggage, both in terms of ideological beliefs and personality traits, that have put him at odds with many people on campus." Schorr said, though, that "knowledge of the University, its administrators, Trustees and students" is one of the most important traits of a UA chairperson. "I think I am the type of person who has the leadership skills to get things done at this University," he said. Moldawer said last night that she will vote for Schorr, calling him the "most dedicated person on the UA." "He has the leadership abilities to change the UA around, improve its reputation and get it the respect it deserves, along with actually making progress," she said. · Debicella, a member of the UA Budget Committee, has been praised by several members for his strength in financial matters. Hamalian said the UA would need Debicella's aid on budget issues even if he won the position of chairperson. "[He has] the most experience and knowledge of anyone in the body in the department of budgetary issues," he said. "The UA would do well to ensure that the treasurer position goes to the most qualified individual in financial matters -- Dan Debicella." Debicella has served two terms on the UA. This fall, he authored a resolution advocating the abolishment of Part II of the University's Racial Harassment Policy, the so-called "speech code." And more recently, Debicella completed the Dining Services Budget Review. "Certain members have asked me to run for chair," he said, refusing to name anyone specific. "Some believe my abilities are better suited to chair than treasurer, because I am impartial, and I have organizing and administrative skills." Debicella said he also hopes to move away from "philosophical debates" and would make "student advocacy" his main focus. "I want definite concrete plans for a new student center in place by the time students leave this summer," he said, referring the Revlon Center. · College sophomore Tamara Dubowitz and College sophomore Lance Rogers will run for the vice chairperson position. Gottlieb said she will run for UA treasurer only if Debicella wins the chairperson election. UA member and College freshman Mosi Bennett is the sole official candidate for UA secretary. Josh Gottheimer, a College freshman and UA member, announced his candidacy for University Council Steering Committee representative. The transition meeting will take place tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the UTV-13 headquarters. It can be seen live in the studio or on UTV-13.