Wylie, Breuer go head-to-head for SGA presidency; senate sees full ballot
By Josie Klemaier
jklemaie@mscd.edu

Justin Breuer

Aaron “Jack” Wylie

   As Metro’s Student Government Assembly elections draw near an end, the two candidates running for SGA president both hold high opinions of Metro and hopes for its future, though each see different ways of expanding the diversity at Auraria.

   Justin Breuer and Aaron “Jack” Wylie are on the ballot, which can be filled out until 4:55 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, or online at MetroConnect.

   Breuer is majoring in English with a minor in Computer Science and is the editor in chief of Metrosphere, Metro’s annual arts and literature magazine. He also served as editor in chief of the Metropolitan during the 2004-05 academic year. Breuer also served in the Marines.

   Breuer said he learned a lot about teamwork as editor of the Metropolitan and learned about motivation while serving in the Marines.

   “ I see the president as being a figurehead, to lend motivation,” Breuer said.

   Breuer also mentions in his biography that he lived in Santiago, Chile for three years, allowing him “to experience new cultures and perspectives on life, broadening my sense and understanding of the world.”

   When Breuer’s father took a job in Chile, the younger Breuer attended Nido De Aguilas, an American international school, where he said he met many people from different countries and backgrounds, which really helped his “people skills.”

   Breuer’s top priorities, if he is elected president, include encouraging and enabling students to be more involved, as well as some “pie-in-the-sky” ideas such as a bicycle registry on campus and making more space available for clubs to use on campus.

   Breuer said a bicycle registry would help cut down on theft and may aid in recovery of stolen bikes. He said that he has had his bike stolen and feels it is a problem at Auraria.

   Wylie is a junior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Women’s Studies and is the current president of the SGA.
   “ I am running on my record,” he said.

   Wylie has been active in representing Metro students at the state capitol through budget legislation, something he said he plans to continue whether he is re-elected or not.

   “ It’s important for the SGA to represent the students on all levels,” Wylie said.

   As president of the SGA, Wylie said he has formed many good relationships with administrators and students on campus and feels he is in the position where he “can really affect what goes on,” if re-elected.

   Wylie said his goals include gaining a stronger relationship with the student body, improving faculty evaluation procedures, bringing a larger diversity of speakers to campus and improving MetroConnect, Metro’s online community.

   Wylie said faculty evaluations were not originally made for students and the results do not carry any weight with them.

   “ They need to benefit both the students and the faculty,” he said.

   Both candidates agree that safety needs to be improved on campus and that Metro as an institution holds a lot of potential.

   “ Metro is a second-chance school that provides affordable higher education. This makes the college noble in my mind,” said Breuer in his biography on the ballot roster at http://www.mscd.edu/campaigns/sgaelect.

   Wylie, however, is reluctant to refer to Metro as a second-chance school. He fears it equates with second-rate or second choice, which results in what he said, is a false stigma.

   “ We have some of the best programs in the country,” Wylie said, “and we are truly a unique campus.” Wylie said Metro’s diversity contributes to the learning experience, because there is an abundance of perspectives on issues.

   Wylie said that diversity in the speakers who come to campus would benefit students as well.

   “ The speakers we have had are great, but they have just skimmed the surface,” he said. “I’d like to see some more controversial people,” and he said the SGA could fund such events.

   Wylie’s goal to “bring more legitimacy back to the SGA” stems from internal conflicts he has seen in the past.

   “ This year, I think we have built up a good relationship with the administration, and next year, I want to build a better relationship with the student body,” he said.

   Breuer also said he wants to create a better relationship with the student body, mainly by creating more outreach programs to get students more involved in activities.

   “ If you want Metro to be a great community, you have to add all these little things,” he said about the programs he believes will make students feel more connected.

   Breuer said he wants to organize a way to enable students to gather for forums to discuss current issues, such as immigration, Katrina and diversity on campus.

   Breuer said he believes the SGA can do a better job with more “steering and keeping people in check.”

   “ There’s a lot of potential there. They don’t need a strong hand, but a firm one,” he said.