Campaign season kicks off for SGA

Author: Rachel Greenhouse

The candidates for Student Government Association (SGA) President and Student Co-Chair of the Community Council (SCOCC) were formally announced this past Sunday at the weekly SGA meeting. The three candidates looking for the chance to take over senior Andrew Jacobi's job as SGA president for the 2005-2006 school year are all presently SGA senators - Wonnacott Commons Senator Eli Berman '07.5, Junior Half-Year Senator Dan Saper '06 and Cook Commons Senator Elizabeth Schaumberg '06. The two contenders for SCOCC are "SGA novice" John Sherr '08 and the current Co-Chair J.S. Woodward '06.

Each of the candidates presented a speech to the assembled senators describing their motives for running and, briefly, their campaign platforms. The candidacies were then unanimously approved by a vote. Official campaigning was allowed to begin Monday, April 11, "at 12:01 a.m.," as Jacobi verified for SCOCC-hopeful Sherr at the Sunday meeting.

The three presidential candidates each presented a distinct platform during their speeches to the SGA. Schaumberg emphasized the commons system infrastructure. She feels that it is important that the long-range goals do not take precedence over creating an ideal experience for the students who are part of the system now, while it is still under construction. Increasing rehearsal space for student groups, adding to the number of faculty lectures and creating venues for public presentation of student work are three of the ways that Schaumberg plans to improve student life on campus.

In his speech, Berman referred to the Princeton Review's commendation that Middlebury "runs like butter." Berman then wondered aloud whether it is always good for things to run so smoothly. Emphasizing the "unlimited potential" of the student body, he advocated facing our conflicting issues and differences of opinion. Berman spoke of the SGA as a bridge between students and the administration, and plans to work on making that bridge as strong and as functional as possible if elected president.

Focusing more on specific issues that he would like to change, Saper spoke of universal wireless internet, inter-commons inequalities in campus housing, physical education credit for athletes, the possible return of the MiddCard system and the prospect of a campus bar in his speech. Saper also emphasized his hope for greater collaboration between different groups on campus, including the SGA, MCAB and the various social houses.

In the SCOCC race, current Co-Chair Woodward promises to continue his work facilitating cooperation between the SGA and the faculty if elected for a second term. He expressed his frustration with several recent campus developments such as the reduction of the Environmental Grants Programs and lack of a truly "informed and transparent decision-making process" on issues such as the possible acquisition of the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Woodward especially dedicated himself to environmental issues on campus. Speaking specifically about the Carbon Reduction Initiative, but responding to recent discussions proposed by the steering committees on student life on campus, Woodward said, "Yes, we're busy, but we're always going to be busy at an institution like this - why should that stop us from doing anything?"

SCOCC challenger John Sherr, the only first-year candidate in either race, presented himself as eager to listen and learn from those around him. Scherr sees a gap between the SGA and the students that he wants to erase by getting a greater number of students more involved in the process. He hopes to increase the student body's awareness and understanding of what the SGA and Community Council actually do.

The campaign is just beginning. On Tuesday, April 19 at 8:30 p.m. there will be a public debate between the candidates at the Grille, which will also be broadcast on WRMC. The elections will be held online from Monday, April 25 through Tuesday, April 26.