Name: Eric Hallam
Program/Year: Political science, third year
Position running for: Public affairs councillor
1. Why are you running for CUSA council?
I am running for CUSA council this year because I am ashamed and embarrassed at the disgusting state of affairs that CUSA has devolved into within the past semester and a half. Carleton students are having their money wasted on frivolous lawsuits and CUSA has in fact posted a deficit for this year of $45,000, which I find to be absolutely unacceptable especially considering their complete lack of accomplishments throughout this past year. I intend to re-open discussion on practical issues if elected and hold those people accountable who are wasting students’ money and time.
2. What do you think makes you a good candidate?
I believe I am an ideal candidate because I have never been a part of CUSA before, but I have watched carefully from the sidelines since I started at Carleton in 2009. I am a third-year political sciences student and thus it is the last year I can potentially run, and I would like to enact some positive change in the way CUSA does business before I graduate.
3. What are two things you hope to achieve if elected?
The most important aspects of my campaign include:
– Reopening the discussion on the U-Pass and determining whether it is possible to achieve an opt-out and if it is not, I advocate completely cancelling the U-Pass due to the impending rise in cost along with deteriorating OC Transpo service that has seen major transit route cuts that are important to students within the last two years.
– I also endeavour to reopen the discussion on a fall reading week since the CUSA executive elected last year actually campaigned on this point and never followed through. I seek to change this and expose those who attempt to stifle the process.
4. What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I have a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do.
