If good artists borrow and great artists steal, what do great MSU presidential candidates do?
Candidate Jacob Brodka’s “BRODKA 2013: Our Platform” campaign video series bears striking similarities to a video series posted by a former presidential candidate for Western’s University Students Council, Adam Fearnall.
Brodka’s video:
Fearnall’s video:
The Fearnall videos employ the same strategy of including three categories of platform points, presented in a series of videos that are all embedded as links at the end of the initial video. Parts of the script in the general platform videos are almost identical, as are the design elements and sequencing.
“In looking for ways that we could present our platform in a unique way that would actually engage our students, I turned my attention to Western because they’re known to innovate, in terms of campaigns … I did the design work for our whole campaign, used [Fearnall's] format, tied our theme into it and brought that to McMaster,” said Brodka about the similarities.
“Is is similar? Yes, because it’s effective and engaging, and that’s the feedback we’ve been getting. I wish [students] would focus more on the ideas than the delivery.”
There were also similarities in the platform points. Fearnall’s platform included “merit-based pay” and Brodka’s includes “merit-based salary,” both of which suggested that the union president’s full salary be withheld pending a performance review. Fearnall’s “interest credit” and Brodka’s “freedom credit” proposed that students be allowed one out-of-program, pass/fail elective.
Brodka’s individual platform videos followed a similar pattern to Fearnall’s, presenting the platform point and then an “impact on students” segment.
“Platform points are always recycled throughout the years … a lot of how we could improve student life at the school and the student experience, especially for student union, is about looking at other schools,” said Brodka.
Fearnall, who ultimately won the election last year, had his video posted in February of 2012. Like Brodka, Fearnall had also posted a video that was lighter tone to compliment the platform video.
“No,” said Brodka about whether the similarities concerned him initially. “[Fearnall's] video is a public video and he’s president of the USC. It’s inevitable that someone could stumble across that.”
The text of Brodka’s introductory video is below:
“Hi, I’m Jacob Brodka. Over the past few years, the McMaster community has done some incredible things. So what do we believe? We believe we can only go up from here. In order to do that, we must ask ourselves: Where does real change come from? Well, it all starts with you. What makes McMaster incredible is the people that go here. It is up to us as students to ask questions and voice concerns together. We know that it can be overwhelming to try and keep up with issues on campus and the work that is being done to resolve those issues. We want to make things simple. This is our platform.“
Text of Fearnall’s introduction:
“Hi, I’m Adam Fearnall. Why are we different? We’re not just about the USC; we’re about Western. Change doesn’t start from the top. It starts with you. Here’s what we believe. This is our platform.“
Doesn’t DC use points from Adam Fearnall’s Campaign as well?
The shuttle bus point, yep. Very lacking in Hamilton though, the idea definitely sprung from need here rather than another’s campaign. Fearnall does have good points, and check out David’s here : http://www.davidcampbell2013.com/platform.html.
Lana, good stick handling. David borrowed and made it his own. Media roasted Jacob for doing the same.I have researched this and all was public. Jacob did not hide behind any curtain. He was up front. I am a third year student at mac and over the years I have met a few presidential candidtaes. Jacob Brodka sparked me. I have never met an individual with such commitment to student life, vision and integrity. Out with the old and in with the new. Rock on Jacob!!!!
Hey Josh,
Good question! One of my points is to lobby the HSR next year (our contract with them is up for renewal), to expand their service to include a shuttle bus service. This shuttle bus would operate specifically to fill in gaps in current service for McMaster students – after hours transit from downtown, getting to Limeridge Mall, Waterdown, and Ancaster, etc.
Adam Fearnall also had a point in his campaign related to bus service. He specifically ran on the idea of commissioning a bus (paid for and run by the students’ union – “The Mustang Express”) to get students home from the bar district in London.
He also isn’t the first to talk about this idea. Brock’s student union has a bus which runs after hours from campus to residential areas to get students home from libraries (which are open later than buses run).
As a student union we often look to other campuses for inspiration. But I attempted to build my platform starting with McMaster first – identifying needs on our own campus and building from there.
David
Hey David,
oops!!!
Hi David (Accidentally copied your greeting),
You write ” As a student union we often look to other campuses for inspiration.”
There seems to be a great deal of criticism surrounding Jacob Brodka’s campaign video and where he drew his inspiration from.
I am disturbed by the one sided view of “The Silhouette,” portraying Jacob as the only individual drawing inspiration from the past successes of others.
On a side note, last time I checked Mac’s colour is maroon not like the purple pansies at Western.
Let’s focus on the real issues.
Jacob Brodka pushes the boundaries. Jacob Brodka is the new voice. Jacob Brodka is the 2013 MSU PRESIDENT! #UPFROMHERE!!!!!!
Well that wasn’t condescending at all… Anonymously bad- mouthing candidates may not look so good for your camp; there’s logical criticism, and then there’s rude and unabashed fronting, which comes across as unprofessional. Good luck with your campaign.
Some people are straight to the point and others sugar coat. I am one to call it the way it is. It is unfortunate that some people may not approve of my candid approach.
I am sorry your camp took offence to the colour purple. The rest of my thoughts are right to the point and factual.
I am an independent voter and I do not belong to any camp. I am sure the blue camp also has no time for this as they are focused on the winning circle and doing great things around campus.
Wishing your purple camp all the best.
Anonymous
CORRECT DC DOES HAVE POINTS AS ADAM F. AS WELL ALL UNIVERSAL CAMPAIGNS STRIKE SOME SIMILARITIES. THAT’S POLITICS! KEEP THE RYTHM OF THE BEAT UPFROMHERE!
To know about a great idea and NOT use it to improve the school would be lack of leadership skills. If these platform points and methods of presentation are well received and a proven success, why wouldn’t students at McMaster want to benefit from them as well? The fact that Jacob has taken the time and effort to research effective approaches to leadership in education speaks to his level of initiative.
Yet he did not take the time and effort to articulate these ideas in his own words. It’s Jacob’s plagiarism, not his shared ideas, that is reprehensible. This is a terrible example to set for students, and a poor reflection on our university.
Typical 2nd year bs… plagiarism.
It is common practice for Universities to exchange and use ideas, formats etc…, and this practice is well recieved. Aside from the sport and education rivalries we are all one family. Student life. Koodos to the 2nd year candidate on a great presentation! Good luck to all.
Whats the different between David “Astley” Campbell and Jacob Brodka? They dont seem to be making promises about things that matter to students. Just stupid stuff like “More supports to drunk students”
The videos are similar yes, but almost all election videos are similar, that’s not surprising.
The freedom credit policy was advocated by UTSU’s “Unity” Candidate VPUA Candidate Munib Sajjad (referred to as the Drop Credit Policy) before either of the candidates mentioned hear began working on it.
Using similar language is also not surprising. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard “this is YOUR student union” or “change begins with YOU” in an election.
Was Jacob Brodka influenced by Adam Fearnall? Probably, he had a sweet campaign. It’s irrelevant to the issues though. When will the Sil do a breakdown on the candidate’s platforms?
regardless, have fun in your election campaign.
cheers from Windsor!
I’d have to disagree with ya there, D. Both candidates present plans that affect a wide range of student issues. Campbell wants to extend library hours and give Mac a homecoming street/music festival thing. Brodka’s pushing this “classes outside of our major” idea and wants to hang student art in the student centre.
And you know what? It’s not wrong to give something to drunk students. Drunk students are still students. I’d use the shuttle to get home from the bars every weekend. Sounds like fun and sure as hell beats paying for a cab.
If girls in heels are talking cabs to 1280 then why in the world would they trek to MUSC to take a bus?
My impression was that the bus will take them back to campus, not there, but that’s beside the point.
But the simple answer to that is that not every girl who goes to 1280 takes a cab there. For those that don’t – the shuttle bus is a cheaper option.
Hey Everyone,
I think its important to remember what Sam Colbert said in his interview “the most important part of [presidential’s is] the platform”. Where campaign videos can help the real focus is on the platform and the innovative ideas that students are bringing to the table. David and I both recognize that our contract with HSR is coming to an end and that it needs revised, where we differ is on what needs to change.
The “Shuttle bus” concept that is being proposed will have a detrimental impact on our relationship with either the HSR and their employees or the City of Hamilton. The current union contract lists specific hours in which the HSR will not run; affording employees the opportunity to go home, see family and rest. This makes the concept of “after hours” transit impossible.
The other option or introducing a MSU Shuttle Bus would effectively ruin any relationship we have with Hamilton. By introducing our own bus system we negate the need of a bus pass and introduce a competition between the HSR and McMaster.
By revising the contract and working with the Graduate Student Association the MSU needs to negotiate a full year bus pass. This allows students the opportunity to explore Hamilton on their own schedule. This also opens job opportunities for students who would normally have to pay almost full price for a bus pass.
If Dr. Deane’s letter Forward With Integrity has taught me anything it’s that McMaster needs to find its place in the Hamilton Community. We cannot bend the Community to fit McMaster.
So essentially, James Dowdall refuses to:
A) Work with HSR to improve transit hours
B) Try to work out a McMaster shuttle bus either.
Greaaaaat.
Credit where its due: A summer bus pass is a good idea. A lot of students do stay over the summer – summer students, take note.
But there are still transportation issues during the SCHOOL YEAR that need to be dealt with. And Dowdall clearly refuses to take action on these issues.
You know that HSR drivers have a union contract right? No MSU president can just make them work longer because they want to. How does saying he is going to get a 12 month pass mean hes not going to improve wait times? Youre just ignorantly assuming things. How about you get your candidate to tell us how he is going to make the HSR drivers work longer instead of attacking other people. Typical.
Fantastically put, I’m glad to see students recognizing the union contracts and the implications these plans can have on the HSR employees.
Let’s stop pretending that James Dowdall’s 12 Month Bus pass is an “idea” or “innovative” (as he oddly enough seems to be calling his entire campaign). He clearly mentions that Graduate Students pay $182.70 for a 12 Month bus pass and that is exactly where he got that idea for.
He will need the endorsement of the MORE importantly the student body to get them to pay $60 more for a bus pass every year. Do we really think that most of the students who aren’t around in Hamilton or Drive or just come in for summer courses via the Go Bus will give a shit about paying for a full year bus pass?
Also HSR are no chumps, they will probably ask for a higher than $182 rate if the MSU asks for 20,000 discounted bus passes. I bet he’s never been in a negotiation before.
Any random person or SRA member from my understanding could start a referendum on this, how on earth is this being considered a “good platform point”, especially when students are highly unlikely to pass it?
Hi Quinton and Dan,
I don’t think that I’m refusing to negotiate with HSR, in fact I’m planning on doing quite the opposite. My plan is to work towards an affordable bus pass that will provide students more opportunities in the summer to remain in Hamilton. I’m also planning to open up discussions regarding wait times, in fact the problem with wait times is what sparked the Hamilton Light Rail Transit conversation and I believe the MSU needs to maintain that dialogue.
Innovation is simply the development of new methods, ideas or products. The All-Year bus pass is something that MSU students have never had access to. Through collaboration with the HSR and GSA an all year buss pass (or affordable summer pass) is possible. I have no plan of accepting an offer that is higher than that of the GSA. In fact we must take into consideration that the MSU represents up to 20,000 and with over 10,000 students enrolling in summer school this means over 50% of students could utilize the pass.
Regarding my negotiation skills I have interned with Hogan Lovells International Law Firm for three years. I have had the opportunity to be involved in various negotiates and I believe I can bring those skills to the table when working with the HSR.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding my platform please come talk to me.
Now it seems you’re just pulling numbers out of thin air, can you point me to a source for where 10,000 MSU members are taking summer school? Ridiculous. Have you talked to HSR about this idea or just like Jacob Brodka you seem content on living in a fairy tale?
You want numbers? Let these speak for themselves.
http://www.mcmaster.ca/avpira/statistics/mcmaster_statistics_total_enrolment0812.html
I’m pretty disappointed at the stunning lack of oversight from the Campbell campaign when it comes to these kinds of comments. I received heavy fines last year (thanks entirely to complaints from the Campbell 2012 team) for similar comments by campaign team members.
This is not campaigning. This is bullying and reflects very poorly on your candidate, something I expect the elections committee to take into consideration come their Fines Meeting.
Someone told me that they choose not to get negative during these campaigns because they have to sleep in the beds they make. Take my advice: these petty attacks do not inspire voters at all.
Chris, so now you’re resorting to pure slander and unproven negative attacks? When did I identify myself as a David Campbell supporter and campaign team member? Are you suggesting that an unaffiliated student is not intellectually capable of finding issues with platform ideas? What exactly do you think McMaster teaches us?
The link you mention includes the total count for the entire summer from May – August, not how many are in Hamilton at any given time….it also doesn’t mention how many of that are part time students. Personally having taken a few summer courses many students In my class were older part time students.
Get a grip bro.
I call BS. Doesn’t know the definition of slander, accuses other teams of attacking by attacking, asks for proof and totally ignores it…….all mandatory requirements for being on DC’s team from what I’ve seen. I think you’re in the running to be his campaign manager for his campaign next year. DC 2014!!!!!!!!
umm James Dowdall clearly got it from his Chris Erl, which i think he knows from somewhere for something…..
I thought I swore off the MSU once I was done with it, but hearing about a 2nd year running for president tickled me. Not in the fun way but more in the, “I hope this is the final nail in the coffin” way. I hope students are dumb enough to elect a 2nd year thinking that McMaster administration will take him seriously. Sure, he may have been lazy and ripped off another videos platform presentation and many of their key ideas. He may also have not thought through these ideas with any sort of sense of what is feasible within mac given its academic. he may have also put people in such a tizzy that longterm msu employees are actively voicing their concern regarding his experience, flakiness, and downright immaturity across campus.
That being said I think it could be fun to serve up such a bright eyed and naive candidate to mac admin. Considering we are only seen as a nuisance to them im sure they will take it easy on such a green president, only providing him with the truth and bending to his assertive and persuasive will. i mean, his powers of being such a boardroom force can be seen in his ambiguous and incredibly poorly thought out platform points that lack any basic semblance of a plan. from what ive heard you have never sat in on an sra meeting, held a seat on senate nor been involved in a capacity that you can understand that overly complicated and ever-useless structure of the MSU. luckily you wont go through this alone and you will hire all your bffs and maybe hold the spot for vp finance so that an incoming frosh has a chance at a job in september!
your seen with as much legitimacy as the greek system at mac! cant wait to see how you can further beat the dead horse that is the msu!
if i could only vote it would be for the human equivalent of the mcmaster occupy movement!
TL;DR version; #OccupyMcMaster #Kony2012
Personally, When I finally decided to start doing a bit of research into the election that was taking over my campus, I liked the concept of Jacob’s platform vide. Spending hours and hours online, the interactive videos were a good way for me to learn about the Platform. To me, it doesn’t matter if he took the idea from Western or from Obama, a good idea is a good idea, and if it worked for me, I’m sure it worked for others also.
As a Third Year student, I love the fact that he is running for after his second year. Who created this idea that MSU president had to be someone who is graduating, and gone through the whole system. If that’s the case, why don’t you just introduce requirements that ensure that the only people who run are the same old SRA, MSU big names who fit into a very specific and perfect mold? Why don’t we just have the SRA or the Senate vote on who is allowed to run? And despite what you said Josh, Age does not equal respect.
I don’t know who I am voting for this election, but what I do know is that I am happy there are people running in this election who do not just see this position as something to do after they graduate, or something they feel they deserve because they’ve been part of the SRA/ MSU for 4 years. I want someone who is doing it because they really care about the students and the school.
I really agree with you Jeremy, here’s what I posted on one of the profile comment feeds:
“I am not a huge fan of people criticizing young people for having ambition. McMaster is an inclusive school and the MSU president, rather than being that untouchable person, should be someone that walks the halls with us and it would be interesting the have Jacob still on campus, supporting his initiatives even after his term. There is so much talk about not having a lot of time to get things done in a year, so why not give Jacob the tools to start early and make an impact on the school for his entire time here.”
I have never voted and still don’t know who I will vote for, but the point is that I kind of care now, and I would not have even been part of this conversation if it wasn’t for Jacobs efforts.
I agree with anonymous 2 and Jeremy. All this negative nonsense towards Jacob Brodka clearly demonstrates the fear and lack of confidence individuals have in their leaders.
Jacob Brodka has spent his secondary years in student office because he cares about education and student life. He is genuine in following his passion into post secondary education and continuing his efforts to reach out to students, get them involved and together create a environment where all students may enjoy and be proud of their mac.
Jacob Brodka is young, seasoned, full of energy and has great vison. After his term he will continue to do goods things for mac.
People fear change and old establishments have a narrow view thinking only graduating students are best for mac.
I am an independent voter and I have decided that Jacob Brodka is my candidate of choice.
Best of luck to all candidates.