INSIDE THE SGA ELECTIONS 2007

Author: Michelle Constant, Kerren McKeeman, & Chelsea Utterback

Before heading to the online polls on Thursday, read up on the candidates for SGA president and Student Co-Chair of Community Council in The Campus' annual SGA election preview.

Meet your SGA Presidential candidate: Max Nardini '08

Junior Max Nardini's Student Government Association (SGA) presidential campaign features a list of policy items ranging from social life issues to raising student awareness of the Darfur crisis.

According to Nardini, as SGA President, he would continue the SGA's program that offers busing to New York City and Boston over school breaks. Nardini also plans to continue supporting initiatives to make students more aware of carbon neutrality and climate change issues, as well as proposals to raise awareness of problems in the Sudan.

Nardini believes he can create a debate forum at the College in which students, professors and outside speakers can debate specific political issues.

"Speakers will offer multiple viewpoints and students will engage in academically exciting discussions afterwards," said Nardini.

Nardini is one of the founding members of Xanadu, a new nightclub on campus, which he believes can contribute greatly to social life at the College.

"Xanadu is the perfect way to address the social issues on campus," said Nardini. According to Nardini, Xanadu gives students the feeling that they are off-campus, while remaining in the safety and comfort provided by the College.

Nardini believes his past experience in student government will benefit him if elected SGA President. After serving as the current Wonnacott Senator and former Sophomore Senator in the SGA Senate, Nardini said that "you expect to deal with certain things, and other things come up" in student government. For example, Nardini cited his work with students and faculty on the issue of banning smoking on campus. Nardini said that an important part of being SGA President will involve negotiating and taking others' needs into consideration.

"A major responsibility of student government is to mediate things as they arrive, to make constructive solutions," said Nardini. "We need to represent students' voices to make our time here valuable."



Student Co-Chair candidates: Dean Atyia '08.5

If elected the Student Co-Chair of Community Council (SCCOCC), Dean Atyia's '08.5 plans would include the creation of an outdoor spring concert, planned by a new committee comprised of students from already-existing programming boards.

The concert will not only allow students to enjoy live music and good weather but, according to Atyia, will provide a location for student organizations to set up booths, make T-shirts and display what students have been doing throughout the year.

The concert would be organized by a new Concert Committee, which would consist of two Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) members, two WRMC members, six non-affiliated students and one faculty advisor.

Atyia's other goals include continuing the process to serve liquor at Xanadu and allowing access cards to act as debit cards that can be charged at the Grille, Midd Xpress and laundry machines.

Atyia also wants to remain open to student input and would hope to restructure Community Council meetings to allow students to propose their own suggestions without prior approval in the agenda. To facilitate student involvement, Dean wants to start a Web site or online forum on which students can discuss issues they wish to see changed through the Community Council.

Atyia began his student government experience serving as the First-Year Feb Senator of the Student Government Association during his first semester at the College before joining the Council, on which he has served for two semesters.

Atyia feels confident speaking up, and said that one of his strongest skills is his ability to get things done. Atyia feels he is a versatile and approachable member of the student body who knows what the students want.



Eric Hoest '08

Junior Eric Hoest's primary goal as Student Co-Chair of Community Council (SCCOCC) would be to improve communication among members of the community to ensure that equal attention be given to all voices. According to Hoest, he would seek input from the community regarding important issues so that decisions made by the Council would best reflect the wishes of all members of the College.

According to Hoest, by collaborating with the Student Government Association (SGA) and President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz, student opinion will hopefully be strengthened, heard in each arena and fed back to the Community Council. The Council currently maintains a low profile among the student body, Hoest believes, but the candidate hopes that he can increase the Council's prominence and contribute to decision-making that will benefit everyone.

Other issues Hoest wishes to tackle as SCCOCC are the smoking policy, social houses, alcohol policies, diversity and environmental issues as handled by the College. Before graduating, Hoest wants to pursue these aims and create policies that benefit the community best. Despite his focus on these issues, Hoest said he is not tied down to a rigid agenda. He said that as problems arise, he will be there to take them on to the best of his ability.

Although never having served as a member of the Community Council, Hoest considers himself an active member of the College community. He has been involved in the residential life system at the College, having served as a residential advisor. He also gained experience in student government as he worked as an SGA cabinet member during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Hoest said that he is ardent and passionate about aiding the community and is more than open to forging relationships with people in order to hear their views and help get their opinions heard.