Opinions

Student council candidate platforms

In print | November 13, 2008

These are the platforms for candidates for student council as submitted to The Phoenix.

These platforms are submitted by the candidates and represent their personal views, not those of The Phoenix.

For student council vice-president:

Nate Erskine ’10

Serving as your Student Council Appointments Chair has been one of my best experiences at Swarthmore. I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many of you and to work with some fabulous committee members. I have used this opportunity to improve the transparency and accessibility of appointments process. I have learned a lot about Student Council and Swarthmore, and thus feel ready to seek the office of Vice-President. I have decided to run for Vice-President rather than to seek re-election as Appointments Chair because of my desire to tackle some important priorities that are listed below. These are issues that I would not be able to all focus on due to the organizational responsibilities that go with being Appointments Chair.

For the past two years, Student Council has made huge progress in becoming more open and active. Part of successfully continuing this pattern relies upon having leaders who are experienced and have a record of positive accomplishments. I believe that I can best fit that model. The following are a list of my priorities that I pledge to work on, if you elect me to be the Vice-President:
I promise to better present Student Council as a student advocacy organization. Despite all of our work, many Swatties do not know what beneficial resources Council can provide. I hope to accomplish this by establishing a better website to improve facility of communication. As vice-president, I would see it as my responsibility to encourage Student Council to be more proactive rather than reactive in tackling student issues. I promise that I will continue to work with Dining Services and students to improve the setup of the meal plan. This November, I led an open forum for Swatties to learn about Sharples and to be able to question our administrators. We have made substantial progress this semester to facilitating communication with Dining Services. I want to make sure that beneficial changes will be in place by fall ’09. I promise to ensure that the IC and BCC communities have access to the Board of Managers. Last spring, I successfully petitioned council to invite IC and BCC leaders to a luncheon with the board this fall. This was a tremendous step forward, but Student Council’s support should not end there.

I promise to make sure that Student Council continues its responsible oversight of the Student Budget Committee (SBC). Last semester, I helped to vote down an irresponsible amendment to our constitution that would have made difficult for the SBC members to properly carry out their jobs. It is important that Student Council insures that the $400,000 student activities budget is well managed. I promise to make campus security a priority for Student Council.

Our current council president and I have been laying down the foundation for a student committee that will have the mandate to assess security problems and to report back to us. I want to make sure that this committee is created, and that all Swatties have the chance to weigh in. Since the incident in Willets this September, Swatties have done a good job “stopping the prop.” Student Council needs to push for better campus lighting and the placement of call boxes around campus. We should not have to wait for another terrible incident to make us do more. I promise to continue Student Council support of seeking a more open financial aid process at Swarthmore. We owe a lot to the dedicated Swatties who have collected over 500 signatures from students and faculty to demand a fairer and better financial aid process. With many Swat families being hit hard by the economic downturn, it is extremely important that a successful dialogue continues. I pledge that I will be a dependable liaison to the administration.

I am excited at the prospect of continuing to work on Council and hope to have your support. Please feel free to contact me (nerskin1) if you have any questions about my proposals.

For student council secretary:

Adam Bortner ’12

Did you see the solitary individual scribbling notes at First Collection? Yes, that was me. I am a perpetual note-taker. I like to write and consider myself to be well organized; in fact, I tend to take notes voraciously. It can be embarrassing at times, but I feel as if this component of my personality has finally found a calling. Maybe I have been in training for this secretarial position all along and failed to realize it until a junior on Student Council suggested that I run for secretary. Regardless, I am now out of my note-taking closet: I want to be your Student Council secretary.

While I applaud Student Council’s efforts to provide opportunities for students to voice their concerns, I feel that active leadership entails more. Though it is essential that student representatives listen, we must also think critically, propose concrete ideas for change and seek feedback to reach a consensus. And, as a contender for this position, I come with not only a critical yet constructive perspective but moreover, the energy and will to put my ideas into action. I see myself as a motor for change.

As secretary, I would like to pave the way for more student involvement in Student Council: more dialogue and increased accountability. According to its constitution, Student Council aims to function as a “vehicle of communication.” While our vehicle is not “totaled” by any means, it could still use a little work. (Or perhaps a motor for change?)

The broken links and lack of recent newsletters posted on the Student Council website are clear signs that this vehicle is in need of repair. I would first focus on improving the website with a special emphasis on making the minutes concise and easy to read. It is essential that all students know when Student Council meets, that the weekly meetings are open to all, and most importantly, that Student Council exists to “serve, represent, and protect” the interests of students. In short, please vote for me to be your secretary.

Aside from my note-taking passion, I would love to make Student Council work for all Swarthmore students. In concordance with my do ask, do tell policy, I encourage you to ask me questions and tell me your thoughts so that I can be your voice. If you don’t happen upon my smiling face, please email me at abortne1@swarthmore.edu. I appreciate your vote.

Stephan Lefebvre ’11

My name is Stephan Lefebvre and I am running for the position of Student Council secretary. As Secretary, I will take notes at all of the meetings and I will make sure the minutes continue to be posted in a timely fashion on the StuCo blog. Also, I believe it is the Secretary’s duty to continue to push for transparency and accountability for the Student Council and the College itself.

The current Council has done a remarkable job of reaching out to the Swarthmore community – most notably, they station themselves outside Sharples and host fun events with the intention of gathering feedback and offering opportunities for concerns to be raised. My interest in serving on the Student Council was sparked by their inspiring outreach and the realization that other parts of our institution are not so forthcoming. Lately, the Financial Justice campaign has raised issues about the College’s transparency. I will work to bring all aspects of decision-making at this College to light. To do this I will join the current Council members in constantly seeking input so as to align my priorities with those of my peers and friends. As secretary, I will be able to quickly act on these concerns by proposing solutions to people in positions of power at the College.

As the Council’s secretary, I see the potential for becoming an influential facilitator for building institutional memory on campus. Does your favorite student organization, whether it is a sports team, a performing arts group, or a part of the IC and BCC community, have the resources to document its activities for posterity? Will the new leadership next year have to reinvent the wheel? I’m interested in working with the Deans to create a systematic way of keeping inter-group records that are both easy to use and which preserve confidentiality for those groups for whom this is important. These records will have immediate benefits. For example, written records about whom to contact for departmental funding and how to order a take-out meal for your group from Sharples will encourage new students as well as group members without much free time to help with events.

Last year, as Treasurer for the Swarthmore Queer Union (SQU), I started to learn the ins and outs of Swarthmore, including how to work with the Student Budget Committee (SBC) to get funding for groups and activities. My experience working to plan events such as Paces parties, workshops, book sales and events for Coming Out Week have made me aware that the intricacies of getting stuff done at this school should be available to all. This year I have helped get several new student groups chartered, and I’m serving as the Business Editor of the Halcyon, in which capacity I’m entrusted with all the funds used for designing, printing, and delivering the yearbooks. While I still have a lot to learn, I feel like it is time to put the experience I’ve gained to use.

After a year and a half, I see Swarthmore as a place where I get to live with and learn from the most amazing people anywhere. I want to serve on the Student Council to address those few moments when I notice that something could be improved. You deserve a Student Council Secretary that is willing to do more than take notes!

Tiffany Lee ’12

Are you aware of what Student Council actually does? No? That’s ok, I’m not either. But I’m willing to learn, and what’s more, I’ll make sure you come along for the ride. As secretary, I will ensure that what goes on in those mysterious meetings is easily accessible to the rest of the world, or at least to those of you Swatties who might have the remotest interest. For those of you who do know what’s going on and have your own interesting, wacky, or otherwise unusual ideas, I will ensure your opinions are taken into account by the Student Council. After all, who can keep anything quiet around here, right? The key is to be heard by the right people in the position to take action, and as Student Council member, I will make sure that happens.

For appointments chair:

Jacqueline Helene Bailey-Ross ’12

My name is Jacqueline Helene Bailey-Ross, and I am running for Appointments Chair. The Swarthmore Community has continued to impress me ever since I first stepped on campus three months ago. One of the reasons I believe Swarthmore is so amazing is due to the dedicated work of its Student Council. The student government has the unique position on campus as the pinnacle of the student voice, a body that has been able to, most of the time, represent their student constituents.

Yet, this does not mean Swarthmore or Student Council is, or necessarily will be, free from imperfections. In the coming year, Swarthmore must have an Appointment Chair who is judicious and prudent enough to appoint open-minded and passionate Swatties who take their responsibilities seriously. The Appointments Chair, head of the Appointments Committee, is responsible for appointments to the Social Affairs Committee, Student Budget Committee, and Movie Committee to name only a few. I am your judicious and prudent candidate.

Although I have never been on Student Council before, and am new here at Swarthmore, I do have experience in critical leadership positions. My senior year of high school I was the first student to sit on the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Academy, the first student to sit in on any committee for the Board since its founding. The development committee’s main purpose was to raise funds for the 212 million dollar endeavor to buy a new campus and reach out to the entire Episcopal community including alumni, current parents and prospects.

I kept the student body updated each time the committee reached a goal and kept them aware of the building process. As a student on the committee I also worked with the alumni office to develop new ways to reach out to young alumni and publicized alumni events. I am also on the SASS exec board as corresponding secretary and the co-founder of Coalition for a Free Haiti. I work very well with others, which has been reinforced through my experience as an ESL teacher in Chester, a researcher at the Franklin Institute and English teacher in Guayas, Ecuador.

While on the development committee I was also required to form a student committee whose main goal was to educate the student body on the importance of the annual fund and raise funds for the annual gift which would be donated to a teacher or department of the class’s choice. This position has given me vital experience that I will use as your Appointments Chair.

Though I am a freshman, I am certain that I am qualified for this position. My passion and excitement is my motivation for this endeavor. Vote Jacqueline Bailey-Ross as Appointments Chair. Thank you.

For student events advisor:

Rachel Bell ’10

“Change we can believe in.” “A leader we can believe in.” Change. Experience. Why do campaigns present these two concepts as mutually exclusive?

My name is Rachel Bell, and I am embarking on the rather difficult (and hopefully not too humiliating) task of campaigning during my semester abroad. That explains why I did not officially decide to run before the first platform deadline — I always pitied those campaigning from off-campus. So to the 1/4 of you who have never laid eyes on me on the Swarthmore campus, and to all Swarthmore students, for that matter, hear me out:

The Student Events Advisor acts as a liaison between SAC and the Student Council. I believe I am the most qualified candidate for this position, first and foremost, because of my experience working on committees pertaining to social life on campus. I became a member of SAC in the winter of my freshman year, which at the time was rather daunting because I was the only member as young as a 2010’er. And I think, over the years, I brought a lot to the table when it came to SAC. Consistently, I favored granting full funding to new events just to see what they might add to campus life. I like to get creative and feel that having a diverse social calendar really matters on a campus that can feel as small as Swarthmore. As an avid study break and party attendee, I have a good grasp of social life on campus, and how the student body responds. Anyone remember the SAC attacks? Yes, a lot of that was me, including the ever-popular free sushi give-away in the spring of 2007, and the Qdoba SAC attack last year. What can I say? I recognize students’ “needs.” And as far as the more technical aspects which serving as a SAC member entails, I know how to host and organize events. I more than held up my end of the bargain as a non-senior SAC member and can admit to hosting a few more private festivities of my own.

Okay, enough talk about experience, because let’s be honest: as Swatties, nothing satisfies us. We complain and not (always) without reason. That’s why I also wish to campaign as a candidate of change. I recognize the problems with social life on campus. Attending meetings of and holding a position on the Social Scene Advisory Committee last year gave me a wider perspective of students’ views on the social scene. When people complain about the lack of diversity of events on campus, or how life can occasionally be monotonous, I absolutely agree; I am a student choosing to study abroad after all. When students present new and exciting proposals at SAC meetings, I jump at the opportunity. And I see the importance of SAC taking the initiative when students do not propose frequently. Hence, the SAC attacks of the past two years.Another complaint I hear concerns SAC as a committee, and perhaps its disconnect from the student body and its lack of transparency. I sat in on a meeting involving SAC, Student Council, and SBC last year about this very issue. And I do find it legitimate as a former SAC member, which is why I would love to serve as the connection or the bridge between the elected Student Council and SAC, the powerful group with appointed members. I want to correct for this problem.

What my experience grants me is an eye to the institutional and bureaucratic limits on change. I cannot completely overhaul the system and provide free sushi from Margaret Kuo’s every day, nor can I promise you that I will meet absolutely every single students’ needs. I wish I could, but knowing the budgetary limits and the rules of funding and hosting events, I understand that I cannot. But this knowledge does indeed make me aware of how to best improve the quality and diversity of events within the current set-up. And given the financial situation these days, I do not think the college will throw more and more money at SAC. We have what we have, and I know how to work within these constraints best.

So, please, vote for me for Student Events Advisor. Even though I am studying in Copenhagen at the moment and many students will not be able to meet me and no freshmen will know me, I hope this platform lets you know what you need to know. If you have any questions, please email me (rbell1), Facebook message me, etc. — do what you need to do and I will respond. I hope being abroad will not disadvantage my campaign, but will instead assure you all that I can bring a bit of a European flair to the position. And I am ready to be back at Swat to do so.

For campus life representative:

Ambar La Forgia ’11

I’m afraid that we sometimes get quite bored,

In our secluded sanctuary of Swarthmore,

All work and no play,

Really dampens the day,

And that hard work should not go ignored.

If elected campus life representative, I would do my best to increase the quality of life here at Swarthmore. I hope to fix all the small annoyances, like making sure the printers and coin machines work. I will use my advertising and publicity skills to make Student Council, as well as Deans, more accessible and try to keep you as a student body “in the know.” Also, I hope to diversify and spread out campus events (Why can’t weekdays be fun too?).

As a Student Academic Mentor and a member of the Social Affairs Committee, I am constantly working with deans and students to increase the quality of life of individuals and Swarthmore as a whole. I am energetic, determined and friendly and am ready to be your campus life representative.

So in my final plea,

Please vote for me,

Because….

Swarthmore students, for all the work you do,

Swarthmore campus should work for you too!

Cindy Luu ’12

If you’re looking for someone who is outgoing, vivacious, bubbly, well-organized, approachable and part Siberian to be your Campus Life representative, look for Cindy Luu! She’s willing to represent your needs with respect to Campus life because she cares about everyone she meets. She’ll learn about what changes current “Swat team” members want and she’ll work to make it happen by listening to your suggestions and doing whatever necessary to carry out your ideas.

I am Cindy Luu and I approve this message.

Omari Scott ’12

My name is Omari Scott ’12 and I am running for Campus Life Representative. The thought of a freshman running for this position might sound a little scary for some of you, but I assure you, you need not be afraid. As a freshman, I bring a new and fresh perspective to the Swarthmore community.

I understand the importance of communication, meeting deadlines, and working as part of a team, as I have served in various leadership positions in high school, and currently serve as a the Civic and Political Action Coordinator for SASS. I am also a very good listener, which is a vital characteristic for this position. I am already a reachable person, but will be even more so as Campus Life Representative to ensure your

One of the major issues I have heard discussed over the past few months is the inefficiency of the driers in the dorm laundry rooms. I believe that this is something that needs to be brought to the attention of the administration because our continuous use of these inefficient machines is a detriment to the environment. While I support Earth Lust’s campaign for students to use drying racks, I also think it is necessary that we begin to invest in better drying machines. This is one of the many concerns I know students in the community face, and I am running for Campus Life Representative because I want to serve as a voice for you.

I only have one promise for you, and that is I will work tirelessly with the other Campus Life Representative, Student Council members, and appropriate members of the administration to make sure your concerns as a member of this community are heard and addressed.

Due Ho ’12 will approve this message … later.

First, we discovered the atom; second, we invented the iPod, third, third, third … what’s the best thing? Due is running for Campus life Representative. I shall complete your lives. My name is pronounced Do-EE. Remember the day I walked you home? What do I do? I am Dangerously Unforgettably Edible. I can be found in Parrish and Mertz. I live Parrish and Mertz. I will maximize the volume of your voice. People can’t hear?

I’ll turn up their ears. Are you bored? If I am campus life representative, come talk to me, we’ll figure out something. I will work harder than you.

Due now approves this message.