Presidential breakdown: Matt Clake

[feather_share show="twitter, google_plus, facebook, reddit, tumblr" hide="pinterest, linkedin, mail"]

Matt Clarke’s platform contains seven small-scale but tangible goals, as well as a call for students’ participation in determining what issues he should address if elected as MSU President.

Participation and making connections is Clarke’s theme for the campaign. He plans to improve the connection between the MSU and students by creating a suggestion box that will be placed outside of the MSU office. Along with this, Clarke will be collecting ideas throughout his campaign period to determine which issues are truly most important to students.

As a result, he has designed a feasible platform, but it does not contain many large goals in comparison to the other candidates. His platform lacks the ambitiousness and depth that some of the other candidates have.

“If something from [the participatory platform] comes to be a bigger idea it’ll really provide a project to work on and extend, as well as if Teddy [Saull] starts anything this term, there’s some loose ends that need to be tied up, keeping those projects going and making sure that his vision is also followed through in the following year,” said Clarke.

Clarke, who originally started at McMaster as an engineering student, names making the switch to the arts as a defining moment in his academic experience. 

Q: Opponent you would vote for?

A: Ehima

Q: Opponent's platform point you would criticize?

A: Tristan Paul – Grocery Store

“Providing a grocery store on campus kind of solidifies [the McMaster] bubble rather than encouraging students to spread broader into the community.”

“What sets me apart is the diversity of experiences that I’ve had at this school,” said Clarke. “Although I lack the governance side of experience, I’m coming from a clubs background.”

Q: Most ambitious goal?

A: McMaster Art Crawl

The rest of Clarke’s platform is mainly small-scale goals, such as adding a computer charger rental service to the library and offering a healthy wrap option late at night at TwelvEighty. These goals could be accomplished rather quickly, which raises the question of how much impact Clarke’s presidency would actually have on students’ lives.

Two of the seven goals plan to renovate space that already exists at McMaster but isn’t being used to its full potential. Clarke plans to add bar-style seating and desks with electrical outlets on the second and third floors of the student centre.

He also wants to create an outdoor seating area in the small space between MUSC and Gilmour Hall.

“One of the points that really stands out to me is revitalizing that arts quad space. I think that’s something different that not a lot of people have looked at,” said Clarke.

When asked the most important student issue, Clarke named study space and support for students. He believes one of the best ways to support students is through extending the hours of operation for the peer support line by three hours per night, a service he currently works for and has worked for in the past.

“Perhaps students are having a hard time transitioning into university life […] Even just calling somebody to listen really can settle your thoughts and self into the community. It just provides students with a place where they belong.”

Despite this effort, it is unclear whether the Peer Support Line is the best way to address issues about student support and mental health. Other options should be explored to determine if the Peer Support Line provides the kind of support that students need.

When asked about his most ambitious goal, Clarke cited the McMaster Art Crawl, but added a disclaimer that he has tried to design a platform that is very feasible.

“I’ve tried to make my platform as achievable as possible,” said Clarke. “I think the toughest one to implement will likely be the art crawl. There’s a lot of different logistics that have to go behind the scenes, whether it is getting space, or selection of art, or making sure students are aware and are creating for that purpose.”

Clarke has a realistic platform, but in comparison to the other candidates, he will not make a very significant impact on student life unless he begins to start dreaming bigger.

[feather_share show="twitter, google_plus, facebook, reddit, tumblr" hide="pinterest, linkedin, mail"]