Each year following the SC transition ceremony, The Eagle grades outgoing SC executives and departments on their performance over the past year. Unlike many AU professors, The Eagle does not inflate grades - that is: A = excellent, B = above average, C = average, D = below average, F = failing. Our expectation is that an average AU student could step into a position and get a C; anything exceeding expectations scores higher than a C, while anything below expectations scores worse than a C. This should give all readers aditional perspective on these grades.
President Polson Kanneth: A- Kanneth accomplished much in his year of office. He mobilized students to save fall break and to pressure AU Athletics on behalf of the tennis and golf teams. Kanneth also held community forums, with guests ranging from Gail Hanson to Ben Ladner in the flesh.
In his role as president, Kanneth remained accessible, having regular receptions for whomever wished to stop in. When the Eagles had home games in Bender, you couldn't miss him waving his towel at the opposition and joining the Screaming Eagles in singing "AU in victory!" His spirit and genuine love for the school was an example to all and gave everyone a lift. This was in marked contrast to his predecessor, Nick Terzulli, who ran what some saw as an imperial presidency.
We wish Kanneth fostered a more cohesive SC executive office, though, since it takes a strong team to run the SC. While his schmoozing may have sometimes seemed half-hearted, Kanneth had to get things done, and that involves working with a variety of people. Overall, Kanneth kept the determined and optimistic disposition he promised upon taking office last year.
Secretary Jamie Rea: A Rea came to AU as a transfer student and proceeded to rise to an executive position. We encouraged her to be herself when she came into office, and we have every indication to believe that she has.
The job of secretary is heavy on communication, and her regular e-mails to students about upcoming programs and events kept the campus community informed. She and her team did an excellent job designing and maintaining the SC Web site and putting together the magazine that all freshmen received when they arrived on campus in the fall.
The secretary's job can sometimes seem invisible, but when things do not get done, it becomes very visible. Fortunately, Rea was able to coordinate effectively, and her enthusiasm remained with her throughout her term.
Student Union Board: D The concerts and acts brought to AU this year did not measure up with years past. Last year we had Bob Dylan, Dashboard Confessional, N.E.R.D. and several other big-name acts. So far this year we have had Gavin DeGraw and Andrew WK again, with Jimmy Eat World performing this week.That's a somewhat disappointing list in both quality and quantity.
Vice President Jason Trombley: B Trombley came into office on the heels of several vice presidents who resigned before their terms were completed. We are glad Trombley finished his term despite the demands of his studies and other pursuits.
This year's Founder's Day Ball was amazing and was the product of many long days spent poring over the details. On large events such as this and the Artemas Ward Festival, Trombley did a very good job. Unfortunately, Eagle Nights was not on the same level as it was the last two years. While much of the responsibility falls on the director, Kelsy Nixon, Trombley and other programming executives let down the students.
Nevertheless, Trombley stayed on the job despite a full schedule and a sometimes less-than-congenial relationship with President Kanneth. He was a visible executive and did a good job in relating to his fellow students.
Comptroller Moamar Tidjani: B+ While he may have been mostly in the background, Tidjani, aka Big Mo, did his job effectively. We encouraged him in an editorial last year to work more with fixing AUTO and he may have tried, but it is still a program in need of work.
Whatever projects he took up, he did them without making headlines, which is something the SC could use more of. Tidjani wisely lobbied against shelling out large sums of money for a professional parliamentarian to rewrite SC bylaws, showing that someone was finally being fiscally responsible with the purse strings.
While he worked on many projects, there were no issues of extreme importance, and his rather low presence in SC affairs relegated him to some form of obscurity. Nevertheless, Tidjani knew his money, and the books should be in order for his successor.
Kennedy Political Union: B+ This year saw a lot of speakers on campus, from Ari Fleischer and John Edwards to John Glenn and Candice Bushnell. Tucker Carlson even stopped by for a debate. Though last year saw bigger names come to campus, KPU Director Emily Fuller brought more events this year. This may have been a better use of money. With the presidential election occuring under Fuller's term, though, it would have been nice to have seen a more politically balanced list of speakers.
