SGA President, Student Co-Chair contenders announced

Author: Mia Lieb-Lappen

The Student Government Association (SGA) approved three candidates for the 2007 election ballot for SGA president and Student Co-Chair of the Community Council (SCCOCC) in its weekly meeting on April 15. Max Nardini '08, the current Wonnacott Commons Senator, will run unopposed for president of the SGA. Dean Atyia '08 and Eric Hoest '08 are the only two remaining competitors for after two prospective candidates dropped out of the SCCOCC race.

Nardini was the first to present his platform in front of the SGA.

"One of my primary concerns is expanding and furthering debate on campus," he said. Having launched a panel on Iran, Nardini said he believes he can use the successful model to bring in professional speakers. Topics would range from educational themes to social issues. With experience as a founding member of Xanadu, the College's new nightclub, Nardini pledged to improve social life on campus. He also outlined proposals that were mentioned in his letter of intent, including eliminating hydrogenated oil from dining hall pizza crusts, propelling the campus' carbon-neutral movement by supporting MiddShift and raising awareness and support for victims of genocide in the Sudan.

"I want to make sure what is going on at this school is guided by student voice," he said.

As one of two candidates approved to run for SCCOCC, Atyia has served on the Community Council for two semesters, but said he felt few of the group's proposals have achieved their goals.

"There are improvements that need to be made, that have been alluded to but haven't seen any initiative yet," said Atyia.

One idea Atyia presented was the formation of a concert committee to move from invitations to Guster and Wyclef to bigger-named bands such as The Roots.

"Considering the amount of tuition and musical interest on campus, I think we should have a concert series," said Atyia. "Imagine two spring days on Battell Beach with music, food and Tiki torches."

His letter explained that he is looking for a concert in which Wyclef will only be here if he is opening for the Rolling Stones. Atyia said he supports bringing back the campus charge cards that could not only open doors but could also be used to buy food at The Grille. He also called for candlelit dinners, liquor to be served at Xanadu, an extension of the library's hours of operation, and an online blog on which students can post ideas. According to Atyia, the College should be competitive in all aspects with the high-caliber colleges with which it is academically compared to today.

"It is time to institute the kind of changes that such an academic institution needs in order to remain competitive in the field of higher education," he said.

Hoest, the second candidate for SCCOCC, said he intends to accurately represent a diverse student body.

"If elected, I will see that the Council takes all views concerning these issues into consideration and that [it] comes up with decisions that benefit everyone," he wrote in his letter of intent.

When speaking to the SGA, Hoest emphasized the importance of consensus in decision-making and expressed his desire to be part of a Council that, he said, "has representation of all the major people that are affected by the decisions."

Rather than entering the scene with a large agenda, which he said was not his job, Hoest promised to use his interpersonal skills and to encourage people to publicly share their opinions. As a liaison, Hoest said he plans to increase student awareness but by more effective means than a campus-wide e-mail that everyone will simply delete.

"There are a few key issues that we will likely tackle on the Council: social houses, smoking policy, alcohol, environmentalism, and diversity," he wrote in his letter of intent.

Hoest said he was eager to work closer with President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz to accurately and effectively represent the voices of the student body.

"I will throw everything into it and really make sure that I understand where people are coming from and that they feel open to share," said Hoest.

"I look forward to the elections because the three candidates that are running all seem very qualified," said Nick Monier '08, director of membership for the SGA. "Expect to see campaigning start up on campus as election time grows near."

The new SCCOCC will replace Annie Williams '07 on the Community Council and work together with the Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson, the other Co-Chair. The Council is unique in that it is composed of administration, faculty, staff and students. It not only acts as an advisory board for the President of the College and administration, but also makes decisions regarding non-academic issues that affect the entire community. At Sunday's meeting, the SGA expressed desire for more student interest and awareness in both organizations as they are in place to facilitate student participation in communal political affairs.

Alex Stanton '07, the current SGA president, will be graduating this spring. The SGA president spearheads the Presidential Cabinet in decision-making and may recommend postponement of legislation but may not impede it from reaching the Student Senate. The president also has the authority to appoint committee heads.