Q & A: Adrian Emmanuel

The following are selected questions and answers from the Sil's interview with MSU presidential candidate Adrian Emmanuel.

Q: How does your campaign plan to motivate and inspire students to care about a) voting and b) the MSU?

Since I’m trying to change the MSU from a student union to a nation, I want students, when they become citizens of this nation, to feel a sense of patriotism so that McMaster becomes not only a school for them, or a community, but a country, an identity. So I want students to vote for me, and be excited for voting in general, because they should be excited about contributing to their nation.

I’m going to try my hardest to stay in character while I do this.

Q: What initiative or action would you take within the first 30 days of your term if you were to be elected?

Firstly, I would dissolve all form of government, giving myself ultimate power over the MSU so that way we can start moving forward with my personal plans. That’s really going to happen within the first two days. After that it’ll be more about establishing the hierarchy and departments needed for such a task. [If I were to encounter opposition] I would remove anyone who is in my way through execution.

Q: If you had to pick one issue that you believe is most important to students, what would it be?

I believe students are most concerned with what’s happening with their money. I feel like students really care about the fact they are paying between $6,000 and $8,000 a year. I think transparency, what I’m going to do with the money, is key. That’s why eliminating bureaucracy and red tape just makes the citizens of this nation more comfortable with what I’m doing. They just know. They don’t get a say, but they get to know.

 Q: Why did you decide to run and how long ago?

I’ve had the idea for the Space Maroon Empire since the elections last year. From right about then, I’ve had people approach me and say, why don’t you run? The idea of the Space Maroon Empire started forming in my head … I want to run because I want to see change here. I want students to come together for a cause. [In my videos] I mention the football campaign that just happened. There was unity on campus that really hasn’t existed for awhile, or while I’ve been here. And I think we need more of that.

 Q: If you had to vote for another candidate, who would it be and why?

My honest choice, if I had to vote for another candidate, would be David Campbell. I respect him as an individual. I’ve seen him at work as VP Admin, I remember him from his campaign from last year and I remember him from Welcome Week. He’s made a presence for himself; he’s done a good job and I believe he can do it.

Q: What made you choose Mac, or what brought you here?

There were two things that brought me to Mac. One: I visited Mac, and the only other campus I had visited at that point was Western. I liked how Mac wasn’t entirely uphill … and there were a lot of welcoming people. There were a lot of enthusiastic people who really liked what they were doing [in Science], who knew what they were doing and who wanted me to join them. That’s what drew me here - an enthusiastic Science community.

Q: When you venture off-campus what do you like doing in Hamilton?

I personally very much enjoy going to the pubs. I frequent most of the pubs. I go to Emerson Pub often, West End, and I go to the Snooty Fox. I think my personal favourite is the Snooty Fox. That’s near my place; that’s my regular watering hole. I also frequent Motown a lot.

Q: If you could invite any famous figure to a dinner party, who would you invite?

To be totally honest, I would invite Jesus to a dinner party. I’m a religious person, I’m involved in MACSA (the Catholic student organization). And I want to meet the guy and be like, “this is what’s going on now, did we miss the mark a little bit? Are we off or are we doing it right?”

Q: What are the ideal traits or qualities you look for in a mate?

I really only have a few requirements. One: I want someone who doesn’t really have a personal bubble. I like hugging and cuddling so I want someone who’s okay with that. Two: they need to be as much of a nerd as I am. I don’t care if they don’t like all the same things as me, but we need to share those kinds of interests. For example, they need to like Dr. Who and Dungeons and Dragons … they need to be nerd savvy. Three: I want someone who will kick me in the ass when I need it. Who is not afraid to tell me, “Adrian, you need to get your shit together.”

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Facebook or Twitter: Facebook

Pop Tarts or Eggos: Pop Tarts. More flavours. I'm a flavour hound.

Beer or Liquor: Liquor. Beer makes me gassy.

HP or LOTR: LOTR

Spice Girls or Back Street Boys: BSB. Regardless of how hot Posh Spice is.