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.
I am Stephanie Styles from the class 2014 and I am running for the position of Student Events Advisor. I want to make Swarthmore a college that I and my fellow students want to be involved in that brings students closer, whether that is through insightful, open, debate and discourse, or through the more relaxed venue of social gatherings and parties.
Swarthmore’s uniqueness is its academic commitment and enthusiasm but the ability to be active in certain social events (parties) on and off of campus is sought out by many students, with a greater interest from incoming freshmen. I am concerned with decreasing the vulnerability students put themselves in when attending parties and finding ways for non-drinking students to have fun at the same parties. Having Deejay-ed a party in Olde Club, many students informed me of small improvements they wanted:
- Promotion of a buddy system for anyone coming and leaving parties. Many students come and leave parties alone, intoxicated, and are more likely to make poor decisions because no one is with them.
- Better music has been a large request by drinkers and nondrinkers. I offer the option of adding songs continuously throughout the year to an online playlist that any party DJ could view and consider.
I have worked with my high school’s Speech and Forensic team since being a high school freshman, holding office each year, being President as a senior. The hardest part of being involved with debaters is that we all believe we are right, but through that experience each student showed me that there are always many ways to view any issue, to solve any problem. I want to lead a wider collaboration between the many groups on campus that have similar missions and views, to help each group in the events they wish to have and to help inform students about such events. And for the groups that may seem to have opposite views, I wish to help create events for discourse lead by a joint panel or leadership from both groups that is open to the entire Swarthmore community.
When I’m not studying, I share my time as a tutor for the Blueprint Mentoring Program through the campus Black Culture Center, helping debaters from my high school, and working on my own writings aside from those related to coursework. I believe that the best student is a student balanced of ideas, interests, and is willing to listen to counter views and I want to help each student find that balance.
As we all prepare for upcoming finals I wish each student good luck and success and a happy and safe Winter Break. I look forward to working with Student Council in multiple ways this upcoming semester.
Thank you for your time,
Stephanie Styles ’14