Author: Jaime Fuller
The polls open today at noon for the annual Student Government Association (SGA) Senate Elections, in which students will vote for two senators for each class and one senator for each Commons.
SGA President Bobby Joe Smith III held an informational meeting last Friday for all students considering running for office. He outlined the duties of the Senate as well as the terms of campaigning.
Smith established that it was the Senators' responsibility to "get the vibe of their constituency" and that the campaigning process is an excellent time to start their duties.
"Campaigning is the fun part," Smith said. "You get your name out, meet constituents … I cannot stress the importance of going out and meeting the people voting for you."
At the meeting were some faces familiar to the campus government scene, like Katie Hylas '09, Vrutika Mody '10 and Derek Sakamoto '10, who have held senator posts in previous years. But first-years were by far the best-represented class at the meeting, with nine students vying for a seat in the SGA Senate.
The SGA Constitution states that the Commons Senators' duties include "reporting to their Commons Council on a weekly basis" and "[reporting] relevant Commons' activity to the SGA as well as their weekly activity with relation to their job as a student Senator." The Class Senators have to "report the current concerns of their constituents to the SGA at each regular meeting" as well as report their weekly progress in advancing their constituents' needs.
Smith told the potential candidates that the only specific commitment senators have is to come to the weekly SGA meetings but that he hoped that "SGA would come first for people running for Senate."
The SGA's role in the College community is unique, and it doesn't have the power that most of the student body ascribes to it. The SGA does not have a role in policy making; that task is given to the Community Council, which is headed by Student Co-Chair of Community Council Antoinette Rangel '09.
Smith explained at the meeting that the SGA's power lies in recommendation, not policy.
"The real power of SGA is the power to suggest what the administration does," Smith said. "And the great thing is that [the administration] cares very much about our opinion."
The SGA has had an important role in changing the campus over the last couple of years. Some of the more controversial initiatives they debated last year included the campaign to save Winter Carnival, the Queer Studies House and their proposal to integrate public speaking into the curriculum.
Smith is relying on the power of suggestion to carry his platform from idea into reality in the upcoming year. Like most elected officials, Smith's goal this year is to improve the life of students on campus. One of the ways he envisions doing this is by streamlining the massive amount of information students are burdened with each day. His platform last year included his promise to investigate the unwieldy campus e-mail system and create "information kiosks" for campus events.
One of his initiatives that sparked the most conversation last year was the proposed Middcard, a multipurpose access card that would be a big step in achieving his goal of streamlining students' daily lives on campus.
He and the SGA were quick to act after his inauguration this spring. One week after Smith was elected president of the SGA, the Freedom of Book Information Act was passed, which will one day allow students to find out what their books for the next semester are online before classes start. Although this has yet to translate from the abstract to something tangible, Smith hopes that the senators who will be elected this week will be able to aid him and the SGA in suggesting more effective paths for the administration to take.
Students seem to agree with the actions the SGA has taken in the last couple of years, especially in regard to the Freedom of Book Information Act.
"I like the idea of releasing book lists," said Rachel Pagan '11. "That would be nice."
But some students appreciate the improvements that have been made to campus life from afar, without paying attention to details.
"I'm an uninformed voter," said Laurel Wickberg '09. "I didn't really pay attention to what happened with the book lists."
Whether the student body closely follows the SGA elections like the U.S. population at large has followed the 2008 presidential elections, whoever claims victory is sure to have an important role in how the 2008-2009 year plays out.
The SGA Senate ballot will be available online for 24 hours, with the voting period ending Friday at 12:00 p.m.
First-year Senate
Jedidiah Kiang '12
"Though the location definitely reduces many distractions from the academic life, there is also a less intense exposure to a larger political and social climate than there would be, say, in a modern metropolis. It is obviously harder to directly engage these important issues here than in Boston or New York City. Nevertheless, there are easy ways to improve awareness and influence."
Teresa Wolverton '12
"In addition, I plan to observe closely the development of campus-wide wireless internet in an effort to ensure that wi-fi is always available. I also want to examine the laundry system and develop ideas for more convenient washing and drying."
Armaan Sarkar '12
"If elected to the Senate, I will focus my efforts on enhancing the interaction between the first year's and the rest of the community. For somebody who is new to the campus, the vast number of activities and opportunities often seem overwhelming, resulting in some people failing to realize opportunities that may be suited for them.
Vincent Alexander Recca '12
"As we are about to begin the second week of classes, I am excited about the many opportunities and great potential that lie ahead.
Alyssa Limperis '12
"Though we come here as strangers, I am confident that we will soon become a cohesive and motivated team. As First Year Senator, I will work to transform the Class of 2012 from individuals to a unified group. I am eager to create this change through employing my unique ideas as well as listening to your inputs."
Tik Root '12
"If I don't engage people, I will not only miss out on a potential personal friendship, but the campus as a whole will lose out on someone's brilliant idea…If I can get my fellow classmates interested in contributing to campus governance, then I will consider that a success. This is the students' campus and we DO have the power to make positive change."
Sydney Alfonso '12
"While many of my fellow freshman have suggested that I propose vending machines with weed or drinking fountains of beer, my goal is to become the liaison between our class and the administration. As your senator, I will do my best to tackle all issues, no matter how impossible the task. If anyone can make pigs fly, I can."
Sophomore Senate
John Tyler Birnbaum '11
"I … am running for sophomore class Senator for the following reasons: to uphold the Middlebury College SGA constitution, represent the views of my peers and improve the college in manners beneficial to all.
David Peduto '11
"All I would like to say and for you to know is that if you have a problem, a question, a concern, an idea, a plan, anything that could help make this school a better place I'm available for discussion. As great as Middlebury is, I always believe that there is room for improvement, improvement that I am willing to work for."
Ashley Quisol '11
"If elected senator I will propose a weekly podcast that wi
ll feature upcoming events and general information for students. If there is an upcoming a cappella concert, a sample of the group can be featured on the podcast, or if the soccer team has a game a player can give a quick advertisement to encourage a large crowd turnout."
Junior Senate
Michael Panzer '10
"Because I ran against Bobby last spring, I am very familiar with what he is trying to do with this school, and have found we share a common goal in having a transparent student government that not only continues to fight for the students, but is armed and ready when new problems arise during the year."
Nicolas Sohl '10
"The SGA can make all the bills they want, but if they can't convince the administration then they serve no purpose. I look forward to continuing my work in the SGA senate by continuing to dedicate my time and energy to affect real change on campus. I understand the amount of commitment it takes even to get the most trivial things done on campus."
Senior Senate
Roger Perreault '09
"Imagine a politics in which department coordinators collate lists of course material and publish them online or e-mail them to students, saving Middlebury faculty from boatloads of tedious cut-and-paste. Students who prefer to order their books online then get their books on time rather than 6 days into the course, setting them up on a path of tardiness on which all their assignments are exactly 6 days late for the rest of the course."
Ross Senate
Derek Sakamoto '10
"My platform is quite simple and relies on two questions: Does this favor the student body? And will this have a significant impact on student life? I am not the senator that proposes any pet peeve."
Annie Weinberg '10
"I think you should choose me as your senator, I will work to better integrate our Commons ... I would love Ross to be a place where grade level, country of origin, sports team or campus organization has no bearing on friendships."
Cook Senate
Paul Rosenfeld '12
"I am most eager to enhance the interactions between upperclassmen and lowerclassmen within the framework of Cook Commons, especially working to integrate all four years of students through academic forums as well as cultural and social events."
Jonathan Kay '11
"By integrating pleasure and intelligence into campus life, those of us in Cook Commons can find the perfect balance between recreational and academic pursuits. It is clear that the administrators of Middlebury trust us enough to uphold the Cook name and tradition, and I would be honored to represent the most free-spirited commons on campus."
Wonnacott Senate
Loren Mejia '09
"With all of the controversy surrounding the commons system since the housing rules have changed, and all the adversity from the student body geared towards it, I believe the many benefits of the commons system have been looked over. "
Atwater Senate
Ethan Schmertzler '12
"I have developed the required qualities of determination, leadership and just that slight tinge of lunacy that are necessary to help coordinate and bring the needs and desires of the Atwater Commons to fruition."
Brainerd Senate
Vrutika Mody '10
"I know Middlebury runs like butter. But, I also know there are some things here and there that you want tweaked or even revolutionarily altered (we will always want juice back in the dining halls...)."
Know the candidates, know the process
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