Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Did you know that the Student Groups Advisor sits in SBC meetings, chairs the Charter Committee, and is a full member of the Student Council? My best guess is that you didn’€™t. This is why my first priority as Student Groups Advisor will be to improve and streamline communication between the student groups and the Council.
As former General Intern in the Intercultural Center and current co-editor of Enie Spanish Literary Magazine, I know how daunting and frustrating the funding process can be. Thus I will hold regular meetings with group leaders throughout the year to provide orientation and gather feedback as to how we can improve the budget and funding processes on campus. My close contact with group leaders will also allow me to be a passionate yet impartial advocate for your interests both in SBC and in the Council. I will also work closely with the Council and group leaders to facilitate the creation or renovation of webpages so that each group has a quality webpage and a blog.
My next priority is to foster the creation of quality new groups on campus. As Chair of the Charter Committee, I will promote a wise allocation of seed money to prize innovation and creativity over mediocrity. Finally, I will foster the reformation and expansion of current groups by holding information sessions on charter changes and outreach opportunities.
Groups are at the core of student life at Swat. Don’t let them fall in the wrong hands. Vote ALEMAN.
I will promote a wise allocation of seed money to prize innovation and creativity over mediocrity.
What is your position on the funding of the Halcyon?
I think that a yearbook that costs around $50,000 is unsustainable, especially given that it is paid with our Student Activities Fee.
As former Intercultural Center Intern, I have worked with Alumni Relations in the past. If elected, I will continue the work Council has done to engage them and the administration in a dialogue about distributing the costs of the yearbook. As Student Groups Advisor, I would also meet with the Halcyon team to inquire about cost-reducing initiatives. Another possibility would be to limit the Halcyon to the senior class, but I would be careful to survey the student body before pushing for that decision.
Swarthmore students have great ideas for creating new groups or enhancing existing ones, and it is a pity that they cannot actualize them due to unnecessary budget constraints. It is clear that the Halcyon needs to be carefully rethought and that some changes must be made. I will make sure to work with SBC and the Council to make them happen if you elect me as your Student Groups Advisor. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.