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In print | April 17, 2008

Below are the platforms for the spring 2008 Student Council elections. The open positions are: president, educational policy representative, financial policy representative, campus life representative and student groups advisor.

Voting will take place Saturday, April 19 through Thusday, April 24.

For campus life representative:

Esther Burson ’10

I think there are many ways to improve campus life. If you choose me to represent you, I’d want to:

make the deans more accessible through regular office hours and a published list of whom to contact in specific situations

• set up late night dining to make food available on campus after 11:00pm.
• create a campus mini-grocery store where we could buy cooking supplies and toothpaste with meal plan points.
• revamp Tarble into more of a campus center, with nice common spaces and a series of weekend programs that are alternatives to parties.
• reopen the discussion of a Blue Light System.
• do a “lighting tour” of the campus with Public Safety to identify what areas need more light and install new lamps.
• help expand the Green Advisor program and institute orientation workshops to teach about compact fluorescents and what number plastics we can recycle.
• advocate for Swarthmore to purchase more wind power and replace old washers with energy efficient frontloading machines that won’t shred our clothing.

Now you know what I want to do, I’d like to tell you about myself. I’m studying psychology, Greek and linguistics; I guide tours, tech at LPAC and vote on the Cooper Committee. When I decide to do something, I make it happen. Just this year I’ve created a Rosh Chodesh Group (through Ruach) and an Equestrian Club to start riding next year. More importantly, I will listen to you. The point of this position is to get you what you need, so I commit to asking you your opinions and representing them fully. Thanks for your time!

Andrew Scott Taylor ’09

If there’s one thing that Swarthmore students know how to do, it’s complain about Swarthmore. From gripes about Sharples bars to coin-operated dryers that hardly warrant the name, we all have something that we’d like to change. Yet we remain at Swarthmore because we believe in the possibility of progress. As Campus Life Representative, I would strive to transform discontent into tangible action.

However, the issues facing students in regard to campus life extend well beyond food and laundry. We can no longer pretend we live in the Swarthmore portrayed in brochures, and we must acknowledge that there are serious issues causing frustration among students. As Campus Life Representative, I would institutionalize a method where all complaints could be effectively heard and brought to the administration. By dividing up the number of student groups among all Council members and requiring meeting with group leaders at least twice a semester, we could ensure that the most pressing issues are being expressed to the Deans.

As a rising senior and former Council member, I am already well-acquainted with the administration and the issues affecting the student body. I would like to bring a level of transparency to this position to assure that issues are not only heard but also that the student body sees the results of their work. My experience and dedication to the student body in the past has shown that I’m capable and willing to act as an open ear and a voice for change on this campus.

Chelsea Brett ’11

My name is Chelsea Brett and I am running for campus life representative.

I am a freshman here at Swarthmore and am a member of the varsity cross-country team and varsity swim team. I have really enjoyed my first year here at Swarthmore and now I would like to get more involved with the school. I am running in hopes to represent the students, my friends, my teammates and my classmates in order to make their time here at Swarthmore an enjoyable one. I want students to have a great experience at Swarthmore and love every minute of their time in college. If I am elected, I will present the ideas of the students and work towards making those ideas a reality. College is supposed to be one of the best times of your life so I want to make that happen by meeting your wishes. Just remember, “Vote for me, Chelsea B!” Thanks!

For president:

Yongjun Heo ’09

Next year is crucial for determining the future of our college. I am running for Student Council President because my devotion to many different student experiences will help me make well-informed decisions that represent the wishes of our current student body and the future students of our community.

I am interested in making decisions and pushing changes that will directly affect you during your time here. As a freshman student I had no idea what the timing and processes of applying for a summer internship were.

I think we should have a physical board containing information regarding upperclassmen summer experiences so underclassmen can seek advice, and actually attain those opportunities (this is one of my many ideas). Although opening up dialogue across student organizations is a good start, it’s simply not good enough if nothing is done with the dialogue.

As President, I would hold gatherings of student group leaders every few months in order to engage in conversations regarding current student issues, activities, requests and moving forward the future direction of the college, together. I would like Student Council to move beyond just being transparent.

We all know that our student body is amazing. There are many possibilities for the exchanging of ideas, experiences, insights, and skills. I am serious about acting as a catalyst for the incredibly important decision-making processes next year, and I will make sure that present student concerns, including IC and BCC issues, are addressed immediately rather than set aside for later. If elected, Student Council will be my top priority.

Paul Apollo ’09

What should Swarthmore look like in ten years? What new programs should be introduced? When the Swarthmore 2020 campaign steering committee wraps up its work next year, it will have allocated several hundred million dollars answering that question. There are things that I feel that money should go towards: turning Film Studies into a real department, expansion of the Asian Studies Department to include more South Asian classes, and need-blind international admissions. As president, what I would be much more interested to know, however, is what direction the other 1,484 or so other students that attend this school want.

Of course, I have short term goals as well: I want to send all members of SBC, FFS and SAC to the same anti-oppression workshop that StuCo attends twice a year; I want to have card reading locks put on the dorm doors for safety and security; I want to continue to work with Sharples on improving their selection and accessibility. I would be no less passionate about soliciting short-term goals from students and groups, as well.

So what should be the direction of Swarthmore? I think it is time for the student body to unite and assert their presence in deciding the answer to that question. Having served for a year on Student Council and nearly two years on SBC, I believe that I have the experience and passion needed to help that body assert itself as a powerful force for deciding change.

Randall Johnston ’09

My Daily Gazette platform outlines many of the experiences I feel have prepared me for the Presidency. Aside from the unyielding love I’ve nursed for Swarthmore from abroad, some of these include: my push for greater transparency within Student Council; labeling and vegetarian options at Sharples; and closer, more institutionalized ties with student leaders and administration.

With my experience, I like to think I know Swarthmore and its avenues well. After all, my previous role as Campus Life Representative on Student Council was always one of zealous leadership, and there was more than one occasion when the rest of StuCo half-jokingly forbade me to do more for Council in a given week. You can rest assured that my time as Campus Life Representative will allow me to hit the ground running.

I will surely continue to push for things like increased transparency, the greening of Swarthmore, the implementation of the “One Card” system, and, yes, better options at Sharples, but my method of operation on Student Council has always been to provide opportunities for students to give feedback, listen and respond accordingly. To this end I will focus on continuing to table weekly at Sharples; meeting with student leaders; and making myself accessible via email, phone, and in person. Though in Spain, I’d love to hear from you via email at rjohnst1 to answer any questions you may have about my campaign.

VOTE April 19-24.

For student groups advisor:

Chris Green ’09

With over a hundred student groups at Swarthmore, representing a wide diversity of activities, interests, cultures, and causes, the Student Group Advisor needs to be familiar with them and their needs.

I will bring to the job a year and a half of experience on SBC. Twice during spring budgeting I have listened to every student group give explanations of what they do and why it is important, and with the addition of personal participation I have much experience with what groups want and need, as well as what the college can provide for them.

This semester I have attended every public meeting of Student Council and been present when groups have presented their concerns to Council. I have also made my own contributions when appropriate, and so am already very familiar with the way Student Council operates (I even read the constitution!).

Next year as Student Groups Advisor, I will continue to work with student groups, Student Council, SBC, and the administration to help student groups achieve their short-term goals. I will also work to realize their long term goals in conjunction with the upcoming capital campaign. I will meet personally with members of every student group to hear their current plans and discuss their vision for the future development of their groups.

Knowledgeable, experienced, fair, and diligent - Chris Green for Student Groups Advisor.

Jose Aleman ’09

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.

Tramane Hall ’11

One of the many reasons for me choosing Swarthmore was the fervor with which my peers engaged one another with their various values, ideas, and opinions.

Not only did this impress me, but the sheer number of groups available on campus was exciting as well as overwhelming. As a freshman.

I was bombarded with propaganda to join this group or that group and like any other clueless, starry-eyed freshman, I signed up for every mailing list in sight. As the year has progressed, I have culled that list to a diverse set of groups that align with my ideas and passions.

While I am very satisfied with my experiences with the various groups with which I’m involved, there are many area for improvement. The main issues that I feel plague student groups here on campus are budgetary constraints, and lack of a central governing body amongst groups. As a candidate for Student Group Advisor, I plan to work closely with the SBC to implement strategies that will distribute funds in a more streamlined and effective manner.

In order to provide a central governing body amongst groups I would push for the creation of an Inter-Group Council or the IGC.

This council would discuss issues within groups on campus and act as a think tank to implement ways of solving these and other issues. I hope that these ideas appeal to you and I ask that you will allow me to serve as your Student Groups Advisor.

For financial policy representative:

Bradi Covert ’09

As Financial Policy Representative, I will not only work to increase the school’s budget and invest the endowment in a responsible and effective way but I will also enact policies that will increase communication with the financial representative and increase the transparency of college spending and investing. I want to increase the amount of the endowment that is spent every year (up from 3 percent) allowing for a larger budget and more money to be spent in crucial areas. I want to continue to invest the endowment in a way that will be secure and allow it to grow.

I believe it is important that the school use its large endowment in a socially responsible way. Such a large amount of money is a powerful tool and I will ensure that we invest it in a responsible manner. As a student council member, increasing communication with the student body will allow me to more effectively represent your interests. My primary goal is to increase the transparency of college spending.

I want students to have the most information possible about how the school’s money is spent and what the administrators are doing to ensure a quality institution. Next year the 2020 Campaign will be under way and I will make sure the voice of the student body is represented. This campaign will decide the future of Swarthmore and the students’ voice must be heard.

Xander Warso ’11

Greetings. My name is Xander Warso, and I am running for Financial Policy Representative.

Having sat on FFS, it has become clear to me that, for many, money on this campus, while bountiful, is still difficult to acquire. My first act would be to offer a workshop for group treasurers at the beginning of each semester with the various sources of funding represented to explain student acquisition of funding. This proposition is a portion of the larger issue of transparency, a hot topic in recent semesters. I want to continue the move towards transparency, continuing previous initiatives such as the fireside chats.

Transparency extends to the college’s oversight. Previously there was much contention surrounding the Board of Managers’ decision-making process. I believe that these issues went under-addressed, and a better knowledge of how the Board of Managers reaches its conclusions would remove some of the negative stigma and foster student support for initiatives taken by the Board on Swarthmore’s behalf.

Lastly, as I would sit on the College Budget Committee, I would move to better regulate the budgets allotted by the CBC as many funding sources run dry too soon. Thus I propose granting allocations per semester, making the next semester’s budget an emergency fund, in order to provide funding for student initiatives throughout the academic year. If elected to be next year’s Financial Policy Representative, I will work hard in order to bring positive change to this campus. My ears are open, so come talk to me with any concerns. Thanks all for your time.

For educational policy representative:

Ayanna Johnson ’09

As Ed. Policy Representative I plan to maintain and update the Course Syllabi on Blackboard and the Class Recommendation Book. Both are currently out of date, and it would be useful for students to have during the advising/registration period. I will also work to expand the availability of student support programs for non-Natural Science majors and incoming students who feel under-prepared in Math and the Sciences.

Additionally, I will advocate for the expansion of Interdisciplinary Programs to enrich the current course offerings by providing more diverse course selection. This would include, but is not limited to Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, community-based learning courses and allowing for more flexibility when designing special majors. Furthermore, I will work with the administration to help turn current minors and concentrations into majors for interested students.

I will encourage the College to expand seminar offerings and to re-evaluate the Writing “W” graduation requirement. I will make sure that my voice is reflective of the student body. Please feel free to contact me with suggestions or comments! Vote Ayanna for Ed Policy Representative!

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