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.
“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 (Thanks, Sven)– 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 most qualified 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 (have you tried Margaret Kuo’s? Delicious. Absolutely delicious.), 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 (crisis!) 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.