By SARA MILSTEIN
Staff Writer
 

Clarke was described, among other things, as immensely tall, a politician, and "slightly too liberal to be President [of the United States," according to Dave Barish '98.

To this Clarke replied, "I don't know about that. I feel I'm pretty moderate." (He then maintained a modest "No comment," on the presidential question.)

Clarke fits these descriptions as well as others; he is the proud president of both the Brooks Quimby Debate Council and the Representative Assembly. Therefore, he could see how people could classify him as a politician.

The president of the Representative Assembly must be a politician, according to Clarke, "because you must walk that fine line of listening to student opinion and administration and not misrepresenting either side."

Clarke prides himself on this ability to compromise, on "keeping everyone happy and engaged, and allowing the student voice to be heard," he said.

Many people do not seem to have much knowledge of the R.A. The R.A. has three major roles on campus; it allocates money to student organizations, appoints students to committees, and holds its major role as the forum for student voice.

Any issue brought to the R.A. is material for discussion. Furthermore, every house and organization has the opportunity to send one representative to vote.

This organization does experience some drawbacks. For one, the R.A. has a poor attendance rate. Why? Some may feel that attending a meeting means representing the majority of their particular group.

Clarke strongly urges against this. "It would be a brilliant experiment to see each house, student organization, and sports team send one representative to vote at our meetings," he said.

Clarke seems frustrated by the fact that although the issues brought up at meetings seem mundane, they affect everyone. "It's so easy in the end to say, `We don't like the result,' when in actuality, no one came," he said.

The issue on Clarke's mind this week is, of course, the one concerning the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

Presidents of the NESCAC will be voting to determine whether or not sports teams will be able to participate in postseason play.

Six of 11 college presidents have reservations about this policy, questioning both the size of the athletic program as well as the possibility of interference with academics. Because 60 percent of Bates students are athletes for some portion of in their Bates careers, this issue affects a good number of students.

Clarke also has another issue he's like to introduce: an honor code. He asked, "How would it affect our community if we were to attempt to address things pro-actively?"

The general education requirements for Bates students comprise a third issue that Clarke is contemplating. "GER may not be as hot and sexy as other things, but we have the responsibility to be the student voice," he said. "I don't think we should give the administration that power to speak for students as well as themselves." This is precisely why he yearns for higher attendance at meetings.

"If people continue to say, `I don't give a rip about the honor code,' we are forced to guess," he said.

Clarke insists that we take advantage of the opportunity the R.A. affords. "If we care about something, we must do something about it other than nothing."

Spoken like a future President.