Adler and Friends 'Hunt'ing for Voters' Support

Author: Ben Adler

I've never really paid much attention to the Student Government Association (SGA). I've always voted, but it's never been a priority of mine. All of a sudden this year, I've found myself very aware of the race. Undoubtedly, it is because I'm a rising senior, there are some exciting, realizable ideas on the candidates' agendas, and I've known both Ginny Hunt '03 and Neil Onsdorff '03 since freshman year.

From the start, Ginny has been very involved throughout campus and on the SGA; every year she has held a student government position. Ginny has worked hard to act on her diverse interests from the get go, make a name for herself and define herself as an individual who thinks outside the box and realizes her innovative ideas. At this point, she has also built connections to the administration out the wazoo. You should talk to her, you'll see. That's why she will be listened to when she defends a student organization. That's why she is going to get an on-campus bar. That's why she is going to realize a "one for one" citation policy. That's why she has the ability to positively affect and change the College. The administration knows and respects her; they already trust her and are ready to jump in and work along side her to resolve the social, academic, environmental and community issues on this campus.

This is not to say that the administration will pan Neil if he is elected. But they don't know him. His student government history is limited to a two-month involvement in the Community Council. And the fact is, it's going to take Neil most of his presidency just to lay a working foundation with the administration. Ginny has been doing that for three years now; she is the only candidate ready to work on her ideas from day one. Ask yourself, if you were an administrator, with whom would you more readily work with on innovative ideas, with whom would you be more willing to push the envelope: a stranger or a student you've come to know, trust and support over the past three years?

A person's social networks increase her efficiency and productivity in a community. Ginny Hunt has built an elaborate social network through her interest and involvement in the SGA and the school. Like calcium to our bones or sun to our plants, social capital is not a one-time pill; it takes time to build solid relationships. And time, we all know, is a hot commodity here at Middlebury.

One school year is a short amount of time to be in a position to legitimately amend school policy. We can elect a guy who'll spend the entire year figuring out how the SGA works, or we can choose a candidate chock-full of innovative ideas and is already off and running.

Ginny Hunt is motivated, organized, and connected. She is the only candidate who will actually achieve her innovative platform goals. She can only do this with your support. On Thursday I'm voting for Ginny Hunt, and you should, too.



Written by Benjy Adler '03 and supported by:



Craig Pittman '04

Loli Guadalupe-Perez '03

Sommerville Johnston '03

Bob Wainwright,'03

Ted King '05.5

Elizabeth Brookbank '04

Athenia Fischer '04

Scott Palmer '05

Megan McElroy '04

Bennett Konesni '04.5

Stoddart Pierce '04

Madiha Tariq '04

Craig Schuette '03

Meagan Dodge '03



This letter has the support of numerous students, but due to spacing limits only 14 names are included.