Matthew W. Mahan ’05 and Michael R. Blickstead ’05 first met as opponents, battling to represent first-years in the East Yard.

Mahan won more votes in the election, but both earned a seat.

Now, after a combined six years of experience on the council, the two find themselves running together as the most seasoned candidates vying to take over for Rohit Chopra ’04 and Jessica R. Stannard-Friel ’04.

The two have received endorsements from a number of student groups, including the Harvard College Democrats, the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Supporters’ Alliance, the Environmental Action Committee, the Perspective and Fuerza Latina.

So far, their campaign has been characterized by the clean-cut reputation and attention to detail Mahan has been known for on the council. But the two also hope to sell long-term visions, show they’re willing to confront the University and combat perceptions that they are insider candidates incapable of reform.

Details and Grand Aspirations

With a platform that pledges to drastically change Harvard’s current financial aid system to a no-loan one and get a student center underway, Mahan and Blickstead hope to sell their extensive council experience as indispensable.

While the team’s 10-page platform—online at www.mattandmike.com—tackles almost every aspect of campus life and includes the tried-and-true goals of extending party hours, providing 24-hour keycard access and expanding library times, it is not limited to minor issues.

Mahan and Blickstead focus on the need for a student center, a concern that they feel the University has ignored.

“Ninety Mount Auburn street in the middle of Harvard Square is a building that would be perfect for a student center,” Blickstead says. “But the University is using this four-story building for library offices. We want students to be aware of this fact.”

In addition, Mahan argues fervently for a remodeled financial aid system based on the one used by Princeton University.

“At Princeton, there is a no-loan policy so students will not leave college with loans,” says Mahan. “This is important to Mike and I because we are going to have a lot of loans when we graduate.”

Mahan and Blickstead say they realize, however, that they may not be able to complete everything on their platform.

“It’s not all going to be finished by the time we graduate,” Mahan says. “But we’re going to at least plant the seeds.”

Meanwhile, they say, they will devote themselves to the smaller student services.