At Tuesday’s Great Debate, VP Finance candidates Mateusz Mikladowski and Will Pigott saw many topics about addressed for the first time.
Both candidates began by introducing their platforms. Pigott proposed a heavy idea of change and reform for the current system, promising to reduce risk in AMS spending and increase the communication between VP finance and other students. Incumbent Miadlikowski emphasized the need for an experienced executive to help carry along big projects like the new AMS Nest and club reimbursement software.
Pigott brought up his concern over the lack of transparency on the side of the AMS budget, claiming that the most recent budgets available are from Joaquin Acevedo's term in 2012, before Miadlikowski involvement.
“There are people who feel like they can’t engage with the budgeting. People need to be able to walk in without feeling intimidated,” said Pigott as he explained that increased transparency could also present learning opportunities to students.
Pigott’s emphasis on communication through meetings with different organizations and students was met by a rebuttal from Miadlikowski that emphasized the importance of prioritizing time. As Miadlikowski explained the actual duties the VP finance undertakes in terms of time commitment, there was some laughs from the crowd.
The next line of questioning surrounded the determination of value. Pigott emphasized a value-based system, where budgeting and spending would be assessed on how much value students can appreciate spending.
Miadlikowksi said that value cannot always be measured in a clear calculation.
“How do you determine value to students? You cannot ask students what they value most because a lot of them will answer: ‘parties’,” said Miadlikowski.
According to Miadlikowski, a value-based budget system would undermine departments that have less immediately tangible value such as administration or communications.
Pigott hopes that the budgeting committee and the oversight committee will work together so that both sides will enforce AMS policies and ensure that budgets coming to council will be thoroughly analyzed.
At this point, Miadlikowski once again drew laughter from the audience when he asked Pigott to expand on the role of the finance commission. Pigott explained the role in relation to budgeting, after which Miadlikowski clarified that the purpose of the finance commission is to focus on clubs rather than budgeting.
Regarding the electronic reimbursement system, Pigott plans to take inspiration from the UBC fraternities that are already using these systems. Miadlikowski reminded Pigott that the online reimbursement system was passed a year ago and is in the process of being implemented. Miadlikowski also has plans to have club credit cards that would be used on pre-approved spending, rather than a post-fact reimbursement system.