What's in Weinstein's notebook?

Josh Weinstein '09, USG vice president and president-elect, carries a pen and notebook everywhere he goes, whether it's to class or out to Tower Club, where he's a member, on a Thursday night. He aims to collect student opinions about what the USG's agenda should be this spring.

"If it's a good idea, then I will write it down," he said, adding that student opinions are at the heart of the platform that won him a landslide victory. Through an impressive list of endorsements, YouTube commercials, flyers, door-to-door campaigning, an attractive message and a well-known track record, Weinstein was able to garner 80 percent of the student body's vote.

The student body thinks Weinstein is the most capable person for the USG presidency, but history suggests that some of his goals will be harder to accomplish than others. What kind of president will Josh Weinstein prove to be? Will he finally achieve the goals set by past USG presidents?

Weinstein said that his dedication to the student body did not start with the onset of the campaign and it will not fizzle once he takes office. Already putting in 35-hour work weeks for the USG, Weinstein said he will do what it takes to accomplish his goals.

Weinstein, who said the office is more like that of an advocate or lobbyist than an executive, offers a platform based on three broad points: fight for the interests of the student body; partner with student groups; listen to individual student concerns. As he did for the campaign, he plans to continue going door-to-door to find out what's on students' minds.

"We're not going to just say, 'What is the plan of action?' We are actually going to do it," Weinstein said.

An uphill battle

History has shown that campaign promises don't always translate into accomplishments. Take, for instance, former USG president Matt Margolin '05's promise to provide free Pequod packets for all students. Or former USG president Alex Lenahan '07's failed attempt to reverse the grade deflation policy. Even Weinstein himself, during his freshman senate campaign, said he would bring a mini-golf course to campus. (He now says that he has refocused his efforts to more pressing student concerns.)

In contrast to some of his predecessors, Weinstein plans to continue current USG president Rob Biederman '08's legacy of increasing the relevance of the USG to students by focusing on specific, tangible outcomes rather than far-reaching University policy changes. His goals range from getting a photo printer in the USG office to improving academic advising for students.

Weinstein says the USG is on the "cutting edge" of facilitating even more communication between the USG and the student body through the use of technology. The USG will continue administering surveys and will also adopt a "pet project proposer," an online feature where students can propose projects for the USG to pursue. Weinstein also plans to deliver more USG video announcements and select "liaisons" who would be the goto individuals for specific issues such as dining or facilities.

Undoubtedly, the goals that the USG can pursue without any outside help or approval are the most reasonable to accomplish, but sometimes working with the administration is necessary.

"Part of my job is to have a good working relationship with [administrators]," Weinstein said.

But the relationship between the University and USG leaders has varied over the years, with inconsistent results. Weinstein said he has learned from former leaders' efforts, including Lenahan's handling of grade deflation. During his presidency, Lenahan focused much of his energy on trying to reverse the new grading policy by engaging in a heated email exchange with Malkiel and CCed the student body. By contrast, his successor, Biederman, shifted the USG's focus to fair implementation of the policy. Weinstein plans to continue Biederman's strategy.

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Some of Weinstein's goals are simply about getting the ball rolling on larger issues that may not be resolved during his presidency. He wants to reopen the discussion on changing the alcohol policy, renovating Dillon Gym, extending library hours and reevaluating residential college discipline. He also wants to support the goals of the Latino Coalition report, which was released in September by the Chicano Caucus.

Beyond working with the administration, another major obstacle that Weinstein faces is time. On one hand, USG leaders only have one year to complete their goals, but on the other hand institutional memory can be short-lived, so the progress on various initiatives may stall due to the graduating seniors. USG leaders also say they must compete with the University's longterm goals.

"I promise you that during my presidency Dillon Gym will not be expanded," Weinstein said. However, he added, "I can make significant steps in setting the foundation for longterm goals."