During the weeks leading up to the election, I will be sitting down with the candidates and asking them a few questions about their platforms and why they are running for student body president and vice president. This morning, I was able to interview KaLeigh and Alicia, and on Thursday morning I will be speaking with Tom and Blake. Unfortunately, I am unable to set up an interview with David and Katie at this time, as Katie is home attending to a family matter. So for now, here are KaLeigh and Alicia.
Q: So, KaLeigh. Why run again, and why run for president?
KaLeigh: Well, I decided to run again because I still have a lot that I want to accomplish and I feel like I still have a lot to give back to the university. I chose to run for president this time because I've watched Jordan throughout the year and I've learned a lot over the course of the year about the position, and I really like what the job entails. I also wanted a new challenge and to sort of approach things from a new perspective.
Q: Why Alicia, and what was it about her that made her your ideal running mate?
KaLeigh: I picked Alicia because we have worked together all year and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We kind of balance each other out. We also just have a lot of experience with different parts of campus. From her job as Director of Diversity and Student Life, she has met a lot of people in student affairs and met with a lot of different student organizations, and so she already has a connection with a lot of those students, faculty members and administrators that we'll be working with next year. So together I thought we could hit the ground running.
Q: I've looked at your platform and I've noticed that quite a few of your planks are continuations of what you and Jordan have been working on. But what goals from your previous campaign have you and Jordan accomplished?
KaLeigh: So, Jordan and I have done a lot this year, aside from the things on our platform that we've accomplished. Our Director of Environmental Affairs has gotten a lot done in terms of her initiative, and she started a small program called Recycle Mania. We've had a lot of conversations started with Public Safety regarding concerns for 23rd Street safety. We've worked with Career Services on issues regarding internships and making those more accessible to students. We've talked with the Department of Residence about improving the structure of meal plans for students. I know that most things that are implemented by student government are not just done in one year, and one of the reasons that Alicia and I wanted to run is to make sure that those things that Jordan and I put on your platform last year are continued upon and actually see their full potential.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your relationship with the faculty senate.
KaLeigh: Yeah, the faculty senate is very exciting. There is a lot of debate [in the meetings] that is very important to students' lives and their academic experience. This year was the first year we were offered a seat at the table. In the past, the vice president did attend all of the faculty senate meetings, but they were just in the gallery. I have a seat at the table and I'm a nonvoting member, but because I'm at the table, I can easily speak up and can get recognized just as often and in the same method as all of the faculty on the senate do. And so that sort of has allowed [us] to, in a sense, be on the same level in the conversation and they hear what I have to say more often in terms of what the students care about.
Q: Obviously, in the recent past, the faculty senate has been somewhat at odds with the university administration. Should a similarly controversial university decision (e.g. closing of Price Lab, cutting of majors, etc.) occur, how would you handle it?
KaLeigh: Well, I'd like to clarify that it is not the faculty senate at odds. Some faculty are more upset by some things than other faculty, and I don't think it's fair to combine all faculty into one group. But in terms of the faculty and administration tension that clearly does exist on campus, I think for students it is important for us to continually remind both faculty and administration why this campus exists and why we're here. And if we can remind them that the students should come first and that their ultimate goals should be about the students, and I think that if we can keep that in mind, then they will hopefully be able to not let their differences get in the way of our experiences here as students.
Q: Why Alicia, and what was it about her that made her your ideal running mate?
KaLeigh: I picked Alicia because we have worked together all year and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We kind of balance each other out. We also just have a lot of experience with different parts of campus. From her job as Director of Diversity and Student Life, she has met a lot of people in student affairs and met with a lot of different student organizations, and so she already has a connection with a lot of those students, faculty members and administrators that we'll be working with next year. So together I thought we could hit the ground running.
Q: I've looked at your platform and I've noticed that quite a few of your planks are continuations of what you and Jordan have been working on. But what goals from your previous campaign have you and Jordan accomplished?
KaLeigh: So, Jordan and I have done a lot this year, aside from the things on our platform that we've accomplished. Our Director of Environmental Affairs has gotten a lot done in terms of her initiative, and she started a small program called Recycle Mania. We've had a lot of conversations started with Public Safety regarding concerns for 23rd Street safety. We've worked with Career Services on issues regarding internships and making those more accessible to students. We've talked with the Department of Residence about improving the structure of meal plans for students. I know that most things that are implemented by student government are not just done in one year, and one of the reasons that Alicia and I wanted to run is to make sure that those things that Jordan and I put on your platform last year are continued upon and actually see their full potential.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your relationship with the faculty senate.
KaLeigh: Yeah, the faculty senate is very exciting. There is a lot of debate [in the meetings] that is very important to students' lives and their academic experience. This year was the first year we were offered a seat at the table. In the past, the vice president did attend all of the faculty senate meetings, but they were just in the gallery. I have a seat at the table and I'm a nonvoting member, but because I'm at the table, I can easily speak up and can get recognized just as often and in the same method as all of the faculty on the senate do. And so that sort of has allowed [us] to, in a sense, be on the same level in the conversation and they hear what I have to say more often in terms of what the students care about.
Q: Obviously, in the recent past, the faculty senate has been somewhat at odds with the university administration. Should a similarly controversial university decision (e.g. closing of Price Lab, cutting of majors, etc.) occur, how would you handle it?
KaLeigh: Well, I'd like to clarify that it is not the faculty senate at odds. Some faculty are more upset by some things than other faculty, and I don't think it's fair to combine all faculty into one group. But in terms of the faculty and administration tension that clearly does exist on campus, I think for students it is important for us to continually remind both faculty and administration why this campus exists and why we're here. And if we can remind them that the students should come first and that their ultimate goals should be about the students, and I think that if we can keep that in mind, then they will hopefully be able to not let their differences get in the way of our experiences here as students.
That concludes the questions for KaLeigh. Be sure to check back later this afternoon for the rest of the interview and to hear what Alicia had to say.
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