For me, being SU President is sort of like being the bread of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. No matter if it’s smooth and sweet or crunchy and sticky, the bread’s job is to hold it all together. From enhancing campus security, dropping technology fees, coping with fellow universities’ tragedies, protests, allocating the budget, satellites, a new University Center and more, this year has been exciting and challenging as an SU Exec. As your representative leader I want to make sure we all get the most from our Student Activities Fee (a whopping $360!) next year. School spirit and tradition, dining services, and technology services are at the forefront of what I see as important to students. No one wants to spend on hour waiting in food lines, or have to check 20 email accounts everyday. We have the perfect opportunity to instill traditions on campus with the DUC, and sustainable campus life is still a goal we should all strive for. Do you know how much energy and money could be saved by raising the air a couple degrees in residential halls, or turning off lights during the nights when no one is in buildings on campus? So like I said, I want to be the bread to your peanut butter and jelly, I want your issues to be my issues, I want to make Wash U about YOU.

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Jeff Nelson (Vice President of Administration)

My name is Jeff Nelson and I am running for the position of Vice President of Administration. I am seeking this position because I want YOU to have a better experience on campus. Next year, YOU will pay over $360 for the Student Activities Fee...how do YOU want it spent? I am passionate about sustaining and improving the aspects of campus that YOU face daily. Things like technology, the dining experience and school spirit are just a few, but prime examples of places where the University can improve for YOU. As Vice President of Administration, I will work towards that goal by working with School Councils, making internal SU operations more transparent and efficient, continuing the advocacy work I've done with technology as chair of the Technology Resources Committee, and with issues like Dining and Campus Security as a Senator, introducing new programs like the "Chipotle Challenge", and empowering student groups to program more collaboratively and effectively . A vote for Jeff Nelson is a vote for YOU. If YOU want to see a full list of our platform, goals and action plans please go to http://YOUFORWU.com.

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Colin Towery (Vice President of Administration)

The office of the Vice President of Administration is a new position within the Student Union Executive branch. It brings together most of the “internal affairs” duties from the four former executive positions under one officer. The new VP-Admin should seek to connect the various bodies of the Student Union and facilitate the many initiatives Student Union representatives work on throughout a given year. I have the broad experience and extensive knowledge of the Student Union’s many functions and missions that is required for this position. This experience and knowledge includes being a former Freshman Class Treasurer, Senator for the School of Engineering, former co-chair of the Senate Food Committee, former chair and co-creator of the Danforth University Center Dining and Campus Food Committees, former voting member, and current non-voting member of the Engineering School Council, and current chair of the Senate Campus Services Committee.
If elected, I will use my established rapport with Dining Services and University Administrators to work towards providing students with a second franchise on campus, and restructuring student dining to reduce the cost of our meal plans. As Vice President of Administration I could bring to bear a coordinated effort from the Student Union Executive Council, Senate Campus Services Committee, Danforth University Center Dining Committee, and Campus Food Committee towards these goals.

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Grant Logan Atilano Barbosa (Vice President of Programming)

I am running for Vice President of Programming for Student Union, but why elect me?  I believe that the position will allow me to better the lives of all students.  Helping this school is rewarding for me and I know that both I and Student Union will gain the most from my filling this position.   I am an experienced candidate, which indispensible for one of the great doer positions of Student Union.   My internal experience stems from my being an Arts and Sciences Senator as well as having served as Co-President of Pride Alliance and Social Chair of ALAS during my time here.   This has allowed me to see Student Union both as a member of the legislative branch as well as from the periphery as a leader of one of the many student groups that are a part of Student Union.  My past experience makes me the perfect fit for the position.  I know how to best fulfill the responsibilities as described in the SU Statutes.   My own goals for the position in this transition year are to make the programming for the following things Danforth University Center opening, the Vice Presidential Debates, First Friday, the Student Union Pre-Orientation as great as possible, in addition chairing Social Programming Board and defining the role of the Vice President of Programming.   I want to serve the community and fulfill YOU’s goals of increasing School Spirit and improving Technology and Dining.

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Neha Tibrewala (Vice President of Public Relations)

Hi everybody! My name is Neha Tibrewala and I’m a junior studying Biochemistry and Spanish. I would be honored to serve as your Vice President of Public Relations for this upcoming term. I have been on Treasury for the last two years, having served as Student Group Activities Committee (SGAC) co-chair for a semester and currently serving as Speaker of the Treasury.
            Through my experience on Treasury, I’ve had the privilege of working with many students groups who have amazing programs and initiatives. I want to help student groups carry out more innovative ways of publicizing their events and projects so more students can benefit from programming on campus. 
            As the Vice President of Public Relations, I personally think my role goes beyond working with the student groups and extends to getting feedback from the entire student body. Right now, I feel like one of Student Union’s weaknesses is disconnect from the student population as a whole.  Every undergraduate at Washington University is part of Student Union, and if students feel like they are not benefiting from its actions, then we are not doing our jobs. However, it’s hard to know what people want if there aren’t easy avenues to get feedback. An effective way to tackle this would be to start an online forum and stimulate more conversations in student group meetings about important issues on our campus. Ultimately I would like to use this feedback to really define the goals and actions of Student Union so they better reflect the needs of the student body.

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Yewande Alimi (Vice President of Finance)

Hi there. My name is Yewande Alimi and I am running for Vice President of Finance of Student Union. I am running for mainly two reasons. To make the financial process more user friendly and environmentally friendly, and to ensure that the student groups on our campus, and in turn YOU, are receiving the maximum amount of money for student group programming on campus. Since my freshman year I have taken an active role in the Student Union. As a freshman I was appointed to the treasury and have since had the opportunity to serve under four speakers of the Treasury and under three treasurers. There are characteristics of all of the treasurers that I hope to exude, but most of all I am running because we need a dependable, transparent, and vocal leader. As budget committee co-chair, I developed the insight needed to deal with student groups on campus and also had the opportunity to hear what their needs were on campus. The ultimate responsibility of the VP Finance to students, is that no matter who sits on treasury in any given year or who heads up budget committee and SGAC, the VP finance must ensure that the student group’s interests are being met wholeheartedly and without too many hoops. As VP finance, I hope to continue SU’s responsibility to program and allocate for YOU, the student body, and the best way to do that is to provide funding to what our campus values and ensure that the funds are spent efficiently and effectively.

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Senate

Michael Post (Arts & Sciences)

My name is Michael Post, and I am a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences running for SU Senate.  Back home, I was involved in Student Government and instrumental in transforming the organization from a club that planned prom to an institution that acted as a channel to the administration and allowed the voice of the students to be heard.  Since coming to Washington University I have been amazed at the power of the student’s voice, yet one thing that needs changed is the disconnect between the Student Body and Student Union.  Senate has the power to turn students’ concerns into results, and should therefore be more accessible.  One major goal I have is to increase communication from SU underclassmen, specifically through CS40.  The biggest issue I see facing campus is school pride: enough with “It’s in Saint Louis Dammit!”  If we are so proud to be going to a university of this caliber, we should show it.  As a senator, I would create initiatives that get more students to more athletic events and make them more confident in the amazing education they are receiving – mainly, instill students with more trust in their university.  This is an amazing place and an extraordinary institution, and I would be honored to represent the student body which calls it home.

Greg Schweizer (???)

I am running for the Student Union Senate to be an advocate for the student body of Wash U.  I have leadership experience as the President of my High School National Honor Society, along with various positions in other volunteer organizations.  I have always been interested in pursuing student government so that I can voice the concerns of my peers and positively influence the daily lives of those around me.  As a senator, I would speak up on your behalf and be a fully dedicated member of the legislature; I would be responsible with my duties and accessible to anyone wishing to present ideas or petitions to the Senate.  If elected, my first goal is to ensure that every student at Wash U who wishes to vote in Missouri during the national elections this fall will be registered to do so.  I think it is important that no student is prevented from casting their ballot because they did not have easy access to registration.  I would also like to focus on the ever widening gap between food quantity and price at Wash U; I think it is time to address how high the prices are on campus compared to the often meager amount of product we receive.  If elected, you can count on me to bring forth the issues that matter to you, to be your voice in the Senate, and to promote the needs and desires of the entire student body; I would greatly appreciate your vote this March.

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Kady McFadden (Arts & Sciences)

Through my term of Speaker of the Senate over the past few months, I have intimately become aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the body.  Student Union Senate is such a unique and important organization because it has the ability and resources to have a direct impact on the issues that students face on a daily basis.  If re-elected, I would like to work to improve Senate through enhanced communication with students and faculty.  I want to see Senate as a pro-active, rather than reactive, body.  Senate would be even more effective if it became involved with university issues from the beginning to ensure student voices are being heard, rather than only reacting when students have a problem.

Alwyn Loh (Arts & Sciences)

1. I have previously served in the Treasury and the Student Group Activities Committee my freshmen year. In terms of leadership experience, I have served in my country’s military service as well as won the inaugural most outstanding leadership award in 2006. I have formerly served as the co-chair the Redefining Community Experience in 2007 and attended the Leadership Institute previously. I am the first international student pre-orientation counselor for Leadership Through Service in St. Louis Pre-Orientation program. In terms of activities that I have taken part in, I believe that I have sufficient experience from being deeply involved in greek life, and know enough people on this campus to actually be in touch with the realities that are facing students on campus on a daily basis. Other activities that I have helped out in would be a team captain at Dance Marathon and also on the Steering Committee for Relay For Life.

2. I will bring a wealth of experience from helping out with various groups in the past three years of my short college life. Additionally, I will bring an outside perspective by virtue of being an international student from halfway around the world (Singapore.) At the same time, I am also older that most of my peers (24 years old) and that naturally endows me with a greater level of wisdom, maturity and life experiences. Additionally, I am relatively well travelled, having been to numerous places around the globe and across a significant portion of North America. My Chimes Junior Honorary name is “perspective” - given to me by the elder Chimes class because of my ability to see issues in multiple perspectives in a neutral manner and to judge issues on a very careful basis only after deep thought and deliberation. Lastly, I bring a moderate and gentle style of leadership that focuses upon building group consensus and working to better the issues on the table from there on. I would like to think that ideally, at my best, I would combine the best aspects of both Eastern and Western cultures, world views and thinking processes when engaging in constructive criticism and raising points of information.

3. In many ways, I do know a tremendous number of people on campus. Whether directly or indirectly - and I am an introvert by nature. Having been granted the opportunity to know so many people and being able to learn and see and understand the issues that they face as regular college students allows me to be a relatively honest and balanced viewpoint on the opinions of the campus community. Additionally, when this is combined with my unique background, upbringing and various life experiences, I happen to offer factors of perspective that few other possible candidates can match. I am reluctant to say that I am “the best” given that there is always plenty of room for improvement and gains from constructive criticism. However, as balanced and unbiased as I can see myself in, I believe that I am a sufficiently good candidate for this position in the Student Union Senate to be a worthy and productively contributing member of representatives from the college of arts and sciences.

4. I think Student Union is currently on a good path. Having known all previous Presidents of the Student Union and most likely the next one as well. I can say that each generation of executive slates have worked as hard and as best as they could to improve things within the Student Union itself. However, I feel that for such important institutional bodies, change tends to be more on the slower side, because all student groups affected by such policy changes need time to fully react and absorb the impact of the change in policies. If there is one thing I could improve, rather than change, about Student Union, it would simply to bring more of the concerns of the every day student up to the knowledge of the college administration. These could range in issues that are important, such as concerns over increasing living costs, the variety of food available on campus, the costs of tuition rising at a much more rapid rate than inflation, operating policy on days with blizzard conditions and greek housing percentage quotas. Other smaller and more “idealistic” issues that could be raised on a direct level with the administration would be proposals such as carbon neutrality, programs that would seek to recognize and thank campus service workers, better computer screens in the library or even access to printing resources. If it is ever possible, I hope Student Union will be able to become the binding force that draws the administration and student body together, not so much in a combative role of idealism against realism, but rather a credible measure to facilitate dialogue along with the freedom to adopt newer ideas and adjustments to university policy. While this may seem to be far fetched and too idealistic, I would say that as representatives of the student body, Student Union has the ethical responsibility to raise areas of concern to the University administration and likewise formulate a channel for non-partisan and balanced understanding an dialogue back to the student body as to the reasons regarding the justification of particular policies. I hope to change and make Student Union a collective representative body that draws the University community closer together as a whole.

5. I do have just one plan, if elected. I would like to work on diversity issues with regards to student groups and students on campus. Too often the answer to the question of “why are we such a segregated campus” comes forth to be “because it was like this in high school.” I believe that it is very much possible to gradually cultivate a new culture of deep understanding, respect and tolerance for each other and take the current level of diversity in the campus to a newer level. While the University has worked very hard to do its best in the area of improving diversity upon all fronts. Herein is a great way to draw the community closer together. By changing the culture from mere tolerance to deep friendliness across ethnic, social, economic and religious boundaries, a unified group can better lobby the University to expand and deepen its criteria for diversity for the future intakes of students. I believe that with simple and small programs that target freshmen at a grassroots level, it is very much possible to slowly and gradually institute a change from friendly to friendlier, from merely relying on stereotypes to better understanding each other and from being uncomfortable or uncertain in the presence of other people of different ethnicities and backgrounds, that we can finally find some measure of comfort - even as difficult as it may actually be. There has to be a change and a process of social entrepreneurship somewhere that can make the University one of the most friendliest places in America to attend college, and this would most certainly work in our favor for having an environment that fosters deeper understanding of peoples and not live in tolerable presence of each other. I do understand that this is too idealistic, however, starting somewhere and going somewhere is certainly better than doing nothing and ending up nowhere. If it is ever possible, I hope that every freshmen floor can come together sometime during the course of the year for a two day and one night diversity retreat similar to the model used by Redefining Community Experience (which is indeed a powerful experience in fostering deeper understanding among just 1% of the student body.) I think that if we can start by fostering excellent understanding amongst our extended neighbors on the floor, this can gradually spread and benefit the University at a significant level after a few years.

6. Student Union’s biggest flaw may actually not be too obvious and can easily be remedied. Students in general don’t feel a strong connection to their Student Government. No doubt, SU, does a great amount of work in legislation and treasury funding. However, it tends to be seen as distant and uncaring and far removed from the everyday reality of student life. While certainly much effort is not spared in the quest for comprehensive and well written legislation matters. Too often, the rest of the student body has no idea what happened after a regular Tuesday wraps up. Most of the time, the news is filtered through the more condescending filter of Student Life. I would say that efforts need to be made to improve the communication of the Student Union. Perhaps a short email update every week to the entire student body, separate from the SUpdate, would be a great way to start in building communication. The email, sent on Friday, would likely just carry very brief summaries of what SU has achieved in the past week and provide links to the website for elaboration, rationale and justification. And once viewers have been redirected to the SU website, they are more likely to check out previous updates or simply explore the site. While it might take more time and effort to do as such, it would improve transparency tremendously, as well as accountability in the process. Let’s be honest. Who, that is not in SU, actually reads the minutes? Instead of being reactive by default, requesting members of the student body to search and sift for the information they desire in the minutes, it might just be better to be proactive and bring the important excerpts of the minutes to the student body. That way, the campus community will see some form of weekly reminder and justification and work on the part of the campus community. Looking at the minutes from the last few Senate meetings. They do not fully make sense unless one is familiar with the procedures of SU and has actually attended the meetings and understand the context in which these choices and decisions were made. I would say that improving communication between SU, to give it a more kinder and gentler face that provides details and context and understanding on its weekly activities. We should be setting the standard and make it easier for student groups to function, rather than be seen as distant arbiters in policy.

7. I think the greatest asset in SU would simply be the people who are involved in it.
Recruitment for high quality personnel should continue to be a priority and it is important to get individuals who are passionate and dedicated to their tasks to serve on the many student union bodies. Or at the very least provide advice and insight into better understanding the nature of the student body and working to better policies from the input of passionate individuals. If we are talking about assets as a student government, then there really isn’t any other way to see this - that people and good people who are dedicated and passionate about serving the campus community are indeed the most important asset in SU. When the people are taken out of the equation, all that is left is pretty much empty rooms, paper and photocopying machines. And without good people in the equation, we cannot hope to grow and improve and become better. As per economic understanding, more people may be great - but it leads to diminishing returns. What’s necessary is to improve the current stock of people to propel the organization into a higher productivity level.

8. I think I’ll be glad to be an elephant. Indeed, an elephant would be able to face difficult
problems head on and rise above the threat posed by the big cats in the circle of life. However, as big and great as he is, he can be fallen by a bullet. And thus this perhaps is an analogy to student governance. Being able and willing to take difficult challenges and changes head on while rising above the everyday bickering of politics. As much as it is ideal, ultimately whether the elephant can succeed or not is whether or not he is protected or shot down by the administration. Elephants, though slow, gentle and lumbering beasts who eat vegetation come across as generally harmless for the most part. Its also when major issues come to play and push comes to shove does its true strength become revealed in the battle for survival and honor. I think that would be a a great analogy as a unit of the Student Union - being able to work across the board with all other people, but also being able to be firm and strong where necessarily and only in specific situations whether it is pushing for change, or perhaps resisting poor change.

9. I have two actually. Both from my favorite authors. I am a fan of old school english literature that was written chiefly in the first half the 20th Century. The legendary C.S. Lewis, tutor of english literature at Magdalen College, Oxford University and later on Professor of Renaissance and Medieval Literature at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. And that of the very beautiful prose of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, who himself was also a student at Oxford University and inspired many of Lewis’ own writings. Very philosophical, very existential and at the same time, within beautiful prose and practical understanding of everyday persons.

"Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up save in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable." - C.S. Lewis

"If seed in the black earth can turn into such beautiful roses, what might not the heart of man become in its long journey towards the stars?" - G.K. Chesterton

10. My role model in life is Dr. Paul Farmer. He is the main subject of the book Mountains Beyond Mountains. I would say that after reading his biography and researching all the good and excellent work he has done in this lifetime, along with his life experiences growing up. That this has to be one of the most unselfish, most sacrificial and most passionate individuals out there in America today. Dr. Paul is the Presley Professor for Medical Anthropology at the Harvard Medical School and a Founding Director of Partners in Health. This is a man who graduated among the top of his class in Duke University and spent virtually just enough time at the Harvard Medical School to take the exams to get his M.D. For the rest of his time, he spent it treating the poorest of the poor. The shafted of the shafted. By the age of 27, he had seen and treated more diseases that most doctors would have done in a lifetime. For all that he is worth, with his M.D and Ph.D from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Paul Farmer remains essentially a very humble and down to earth man. His work in infectious diseases is his speciality and the title of the book comes from the notion how Dr. Farmer would walk literally hours over mountains and mountains in remote parts of the world to ensure that his patients were taking their medications. In the case of diseases such as drug resistant tuberculosis and other infectious diseases that no longer plague the developed world. He ensures, physically and personally that patients are completing their entire course of medication even when they have started to feel significantly better and that the symptoms from disease are gone. This is a man who has declared a war against a disease that plagues people with no money, living in poverty and has dedicated his life to help others and fight off infectious disease. His fundamental philosophy, as enshrined in the organization Partners in Health (a top rated Charity by Charity Navigator) believes in giving preferential treatment to the poor and to those who cannot afford it, who cannot pay for it and without the aid and help of excellent and extremely expensive drug treatments, are likely to die and infect others in their community as well. Dr. Farmer has written many articles in Foreign Affairs, as well as in the areas of international relations, international development, public health and public policy. He criticizes how some drugs that could literally help millions are not developed by drug companies - these so called “orphan drugs” are due to the fact that the very market that these drugs are meant for are targeted at people who cannot pay for them. Dr. Farmer has also written several very excellent books that link economic inequality to severe disparities in health and with it, the devastating consequences of poor health. I would highly recommend anyone to read his latest book - Pathologies of Power. This book was recommended to me by the greatest person I have ever met at Washington University - her name being Lauren Sue
Krebs. Dr. Farmer is a person who has won the MacArthur Genius grant and is also a highly respected consulting physician at the Bringham Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. And as NPR describes him very aptly, to some people he is just a physician and an anthropologist. But to one of his former patients in Haiti, he is a god. This is a man who could easily make millions of dollars a year in private practice with his educational qualifications and medical brilliance. Considering that he spent just sufficiently long time in Boston only to take the medical school exams and then to head back to Haiti to treat more people is key indicator of his brilliant intellect. If I could only learn ONE thing from him it would be simple- how does he live and run 22 hour days with so much passion and never burn out. Perhaps he might have the secret of living a fulfilled life and finding purpose and meaning in life after all. I’d like to mention that I am not pre-med and I am majoring in Political Science and Economics and this one man here, pretty much got it completely right, when the rest of the world got it completely wrong. And I’d say if I was just a little smarter, and pre-med, and actually had that kind of passion, dedication and complete self sacrifice as Dr. Farmer. I would say that I would be delighted to half as great as he is within this lifetime.

Trevor Mattea (Arts & Sciences)

I am running to retain my seat in the Student Union Senate.  I was appointed to the seat by a panel including the SU President, ArtSci Council President, Speaker of the Senate, and Speaker of the Senate. During the interview process I told them about my experience as part of student government in high school and what I planned to work on as a Senator.  As student council president, I took the initiative starting a wide scale canned food drive, planning multiple school clean-up days, and forming a school spirit group. As a potential senator, I wanted to support environmental sustainability, school spirit, and George Washington.  I believe I have played a role in some successes in these areas - I co-wrote a resolution which supported and helped secure funds for the Burning Kumquat and I served on the George Washington Week Committee along with faculty, SU members, and Lock & Chain members which planned events during the week of the Washington's birthday including distributing 750 colonial tricorn hats.  My first term as a Senator has been a learning process, and I hope you will give me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow with SU so that I may continue to help improve the campus in any way I can.

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Reva Clemens (???)

1. I have not had any previous experience with Student Union; however, I am currently on the Ruby/Umrath Res College Council, in which I organize various activities as well as TRY to motivate people to come out and have school and Res College spirit.  Throughout high school I held various leadership positions, although I was never president of any organization.
2. I plan or at least want to try to bring a new outlook to the possible Senate position. I also plan to bring some spirit to the Senate by encouraging representatives to try to get to know their constituents and vice versa.
3. I like to be in “the know,” and if I do not know something I am willing and determined to find out. So, when it comes to issues around campus, I am willing to go out and find what my constituents want and how they feel about current issues on campus, be held accountable for my actions, and try to approach the important matters at hand with an objective point of view.
4. Student Union for the most part has a somewhat bad reputation among the students. Rarely ever does Student Union get press without there being several negatives within that press. Also, many students feel that whenever SU says it will do something, they do not necessarily know if the duty will actually get fulfilled. I hope to try to change all of the afore mentioned problems/issues with Student Union.
5. If I get elected, I hope to make this school more “GREEN” and more environmentally friendly. Some of my goals include working with Bon Appetite to try to reduce waste, by perhaps buying recyclable cups and boxes, using fewer 2oz. Dixie sauce containers with lids, and eliminating the practice of using Dasani water to clean the grills and add water to the tortilla steamer.
6. Student Union’s biggest flaw is several students remain ignorant as to who the representatives are, whether class council, school council, executive board, etc, due to the practice of making one’s self seen during elections, but fading into the shadows after elections are over.
7. The greatest asset of Student Union is that it is for the students and run by the students , and through the democratic process of elections, almost anyone who is interested has the opportunity to join student government.
8. If I could be nay animal, I think that I would be a howling monkey, because they are animals who attract attention due to their beauty, agility, speed when climbing form one branch or tree to another, and through their distinctly unique, loud noises, or howls.
9. “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." -Buddha
10. My role model is Bob Marley. Although looked down upon by many because of his practice of smoking marijuana, Marley was actually a revolutionary of his time. He tried to spread messages of peace and was focused on trying to achieve a better future for not only Jamaicans but people around the world. Through his music, he peacefully expressed concern for the spiritual and social issues pressing the world, especially in third world countries. Bob Marley has taught me that in perseverance and passion are key once one finds his/her purpose in life, and as long as you can make an everlasting impression and change the lives of a few, then things can only get better from there.

Andrew Frangos (Engineering)

My name is Andrew Frangos and I am running for Student Union Senate because I have a strong interest in the School of Engineering and in campus sustainability. As a senator of the School of Engineering, I will work hard not only to represent my constituents on a range of pressing issues including the future of our school during a key transition period, but also to lead new initiatives for sustainability to increase awareness and understanding on across a broad spectrum by:

1. Creating a student-operated panel to provide SU clubs with feedback on their sustainability practices
2. Working with the Office of Orientation to build a comprehensive sustainability education program for incoming freshmen
3. Making sustainability practices a regulable part of SU policy
4. Making it a top priority next semester to create an open dialog between students and the new Dean of Engineering from the beginning

Anubodh "Sunny" Varshney (Engineering)

The next year will be extremely significant in determining the future of our School of Engineering and Applied Science. With new undergraduate educational programs being developed and plans for the new Engineering Complex being finalized, it will be essential that you have the absolute best representation in the Senate to voice your opinions. With leadership experience in CS40, Sigma Nu, and the WashU Pre-Med Society, I bring a variety of capabilities to the table. Some goals for my term are to:

1. Bring Engineering students more resources (printing, computing, etc).
2. Ensure that Engineering students’ opinions are accurately voiced.
3. Increase overall student body involvement in SU.
4. Upgrade the Athletic Complex.
5. Work closely with other Senators to accomplish goals.

I possess many crucial qualities required to be an effective Engineering Senator. I work well with others, have great time management skills, and am passionate about issues facing our student body. Some of these issues include lack of study areas specifically for engineering students, lack of engineering school-wide events, high prices for internet and cable in residential areas, and sub-par athletic facilities. I also believe that feedback from the student body is the single most important factor in guiding my decisions and the decisions of SU. I believe I am an exceptional fit for this position. I know I will serve you well. So please, vote for Sunny Varshney on March 26-27 to be your Engineering Senator.

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Ly Pham (Business)

My name is Ly Pham (Ly is pronounced like Lee) and I am running for B-school Senator. I have had leadership experience as a Park/Mudd College Council Representative as well as the Public Relations Co-Chair for the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). During my term as College Council Representative I have chaired Dinner Derby, a tradition for Park/Mudd. If you don’t know what Dinner Derby is then come to the next one that is open to all students during CS40 Week.  As part of VSA, I have promoted the Vietnamese culture on campus through programs and events such as Pho Night and hope to bring an Asian-American speaker next year to encourage even more diversity at WashU.
As B-school senator, I will be representing the business students but will be working to improve not only the interests of the b-school students but the general student body as a whole.

AJ Epel (???)

Life at Washington University for us is comfortable, but still something remains missing. Despite our heavy involvement in academics, clubs, and athletics, we students still see in each other what we call apathy, or a lack of school spirit. Ultimately I want to address the lack of school solidarity at Washington University. As senator, I will spearhead a war on apathy, so that we can take pride in showing our support for our school.
            I believe that I am in a great position to represent the student body in university government not just because of my passion and dedication but also because of my background. As a member of the International Leadership Program, I have helped prepare and run awareness campaigns on international issues that reach out to the student body and this semester I chair a committee on public relations for ILP. I have also served on the executive board of Project Hope, a North Korean human rights awareness group, for two semesters, currently as secretary. But not only do I bring this formal experience to the table, but also I bring the outside thinking of someone who hasn’t grown jaded or complacent with the state of affairs at Washington University. I believe that I will make an effective senator especially because I don’t take the status quo for granted.
            It is because I believe that together we can fight against student apathy that I, AJ Epel, am running for Student Union Senate.

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Treasury

Alex Lin

Hello Wash U Student Body,

              I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year serving as the Treasury rep, and I have learned a lot ever since I've stepped into this role. I now know the ropes, and can be a even more valuable asset in representing the students when distributing the student allocation fees. You can track my voting record via Treasury minutes to see that I am a person that listens to the voice of the people as well as myself, not letting the number of people voting for or against waiver my stance on the issue. I hope to have your continued support, and I promise to do my best to represent the student body. For a fun trivia fact, the first known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.

Neehar Garg

Hi, my name is Neehar Garg, and I'm running to be an SU Treasury Rep.  I've had the privilege of representing my classmates on Treasury for the past year, and I would love to do so again. I ran last year to make Treasury more accessible to students, especially to groups appealing for funding. From work on the Student Group Activities   Committee (SGAC) to explaining parliamentary procedure to groups before our meetings (which, without explanation, seems absurd to any outside observer), I've started working towards that goal. But there’s still so much to do, and I think that my year of experience on Treasury will allow me to get much more accomplished in much less time. The primary issue I see facing student groups that Treasury needs to address is perceived arbitrariness of the body. I want there to be a general policy for funding events (not a uniform number, but a guideline for types of events, as well as what parts of specific kinds of events, will generally be funded). I want to reduce perceptions of Treasury’s lack of predictability, so that a group doesn’t feel blindsided by a decision seemingly based on the whim of the body on that particular day. I want to continue the amazing progress made towards making groups feel more at home when they appeal for events, and I want to continue to expand our outreach to students through SGAC so that they may maximize the resources that SU offers.

Jack Kider

This past year Student Union had a budget of $2,137,275.  How would you feel if next year the entire Student Union budget was converted into pennies, the pennies were placed in the middle of the quad, and all undergraduates had an opportunity to scoop up as many pennies as possible?
This was the platform of a group of undergraduates who ran for student government positions at the University of Wisconsin in the 1970’s.  When I first heard about this idea I thought it was great.  The best way to satisfy college students is clearly to give them free money.
            Unfortunately, my experience over the past year as a treasury and budget committee representative has taught me otherwise.  If $2,137,275 was converted into pennies, our campus would have only one event (“Penny Day”) and hundreds of student groups would be out of business.  There would be no Relay for Life, no Dance Marathon, and no WILD.  And really, what would Wash. U. be without community service, or without the opportunity for underage students to throw up in the quad twice a year?
            But seriously, as a treasury representative I will continue to help student groups provide diverse activities to serve the interests of all students.  I will make sure that student groups are treated fairly, so that you will always have “fun stuff” to do on campus.

Derek Lam

1. What previous leadership experience do you have?
   I have been the President of Wayman Crow College Council, and I am currently serving as the Historian of Hong Kong Students Association. I actively seek to place myself into positions that enable me to make a difference in the organizations of which I am a part.
   
   
2. What will you bring to Student Union (the position you seek)?
   I will bring with me the commitment to help the students of Washington University make the best of their college experience. I will bring with me my enthusiasm to shape campus life into something meaningful and fulfilling. Most importantly, I will bring to Student Union, the voices of those students who want nothing more than their opinions and concerns to be heard.
    
3. Why are you the best candidate for the position?
   I am the ideal candidate for the Treasury because I have integrity, and I am not afraid to use it. It does not bother me to be alone in asserting a dissenting opinion when I believe circumstances warrant one.
   
   
4. What do you hope to change, if anything, about Student Union?
   I hope very much to change the frame through which Student Union views student organizations. I want to help the members of Student Union see that each student group is a unique vehicle for self-expression for a group of students and that viewing two student groups with similar interests as being “redundant” goes against the very reason for which those groups were created.
   
   
5. What plans do you have, if any, if you get elected?
   (see answer for question 4)
   
   
6. What is Student Union’s biggest flaw?
   (see answer for question 4)
   
   
7. What is Student Union’s greatest asset?
   I believe Student Union’s greatest asset is having the privilege of serving the students of this university. It is from the students that Student Union derives its purpose and its direction, without which it would be reduced to a $2 million campus ornament.
   
   
8. If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
   If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a groundhog because for one day each year, I would have everyone’s undivided attention.
   
   
9. What is your favorite quote?
   “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” – Peter Drucker
   
   
10. Do you have a role model? If so, who is it and why?
    I model myself according to my own beliefs, not someone else’s.

Brent Rubin

My name is Brent Rubin, and I’m a sophomore running for Treasury.  This year was my first year in the body, I have thoroughly enjoyed it!  After quickly acclimatizing myself to Treasury, I have become a key member of the body, willing to candidly express what I believe will provide the most benefit for students.  I listen carefully to each group that comes before our body and ask myself, “What can I do that is best for this group and all students?” 
One appeal sticks out as especially demonstrative of this thoughtfulness.  On October 23rd, Performing Musicians’ Resource Group (PMRG), a new group that provides musical instruments and equipment to students, appealed for items to stock their initial inventory. They presented us with a prioritized list, and we quickly funded their six essential items, guitars and amplifiers.  I saw further down the list they had included cables to plug the guitars into the amps, something I viewed as quite important.  However, the body moved to vote to fund the first six items before it was my turn to speak.  After the body passed the funding for the first six items, I proposed a motion to fund the cables as well, and this passed.  I am told that such a move, to fund more after passing initial funding, was unprecedented.  Without my careful consideration, students using PMRG’s equipment would have had to provide their own instrument cable.  If reelected, I promise to continue to this thoughtful approach to each appeal.

I am running for one of the members of the Treasury. I think being a Treasury
representative is a fabulous way to support all student groups and to help them out so there will be more wonderful programs and events at WashU. I love meeting new people, and being friendly. I will totally enjoy presentations of the student groups and will be happy to get to know them better. If I get elected, I will try my best to be a fair, responsible and respectful member of the Treasury so that all groups can get a benefit from the Treasury. Currently, I am one of the members in Budget Committee; I love what we do, and I am thrilled to do more deep and challenging job related to it.

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William Osberghaus

Being a Treasury representative for the past two years has been one of the greatest experiences I have had here at Wash U. During my time in Treasury, I have served on Budget Committee my freshman year and currently chair the Student Group Activities Committee this year. Serving in both these roles, I love seeing all the amazing events put on by the 220+ student groups throughout the school year and being a small part in helping these events take place.

Whenever I vote on any motion, I ask myself, “Are all student groups being treated fairly?” Treating every student group equitably is difficult, as circumstances vary in each situation, but I try my best to be consistent in treating every student and every student group with the same amount of equity and respect.

My current project for the end of the term is instituting a survey of the entire student body asking you, students, how you would like your student activities fee spent. The results should be tabulated before the upcoming Inauguration, and I would love being able to institute changes in next year’s Treasury based upon your input. How can Treasury spend money paid by all students if the body doesn’t know on what types of events the students want their money spent? Next year I will hope to increase the accountability of Treasury’s decisions to the students who voted for us in the first place.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in SU so far, and I would greatly appreciate your support.

Jasmine Berg

1. What previous experience do you have with Student Union? What previous leadership experience do you have?

I am currently an assembly representative for the CS40 lee/beau college council and have experience voting for funding requests.

4. What do you hope to change, if anything, about Student Union?

My goal is to bring more political discretion to the SU treasury, eliminating controversy by sponsoring non-partisan events or by equally balance partisan representation. I also hope to add more foresight to funding decisions, to ensure the treasury is not empty before the end of the semester.

8. If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

A polar bear. They get all the free cokes in the commercials.

9. What is your favorite quote?

I can resist everything except temptation. ~Oscar Wilde

Ciara Caprara

Over the past year and a half as a Treasury Representative, I have had the opportunity to learn more about how Student Union, as a government, and other aspects of the university work.  I am secretary of Student Group Activities Committee (SGAC), which sees student group applications and provides resources for student groups on campus through Student Union.  Besides this involvement, I am also part of my residential college council, Association of Latin American Students, and Connect 4 among other groups and meetings I sporadically attend.  Besides my multi-dimensional perspective, I believe that I will be an excellent Treasury Representative because of the positive change I hope to make next year.  As a member of Treasury, I desire to help as many student groups as fairly as possible across two dimensions.  One, I hope that groups are treated fairly in comparison to other groups; and two, I want to ensure that Student Union has fair, consistent, and attainable expectations of student groups.  With my involvement in SGAC, I want to strengthen the relationship between the committee and the student groups by offering more constructive services for groups and working closely with the Office of Student Activities to educate SGAC members on how to be a comprehensive resource.  As a resource, I will focus on following up with groups carefully after Treasury appeals and new group registrations because, despite not having sufficient resources to fully support every group initiative, I will still be your student representative and advocate.

Oliva Hassan

Honestly, I am running for a position on the Student Union Treasury because I love it.  I love the passion of the student groups that I get to meet, and I love the eagerness to do right and to serve of all the people already a part of Student Union.  I could tell you all a litany of past leadership and service experience, but I do not think that is what makes me the best candidate today.  What is important about my past experience is what it has made me and that is someone excited to serve, eager to foster collaboration among student groups, and who wants to constantly improve myself and the Student Union as a whole. 

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Rachel Thompson

My past year in Treasury has been one of learning.  I have learned about student groups, learned about Student Union, and learned how to represent the students most accurately.  I have seen the potential of what Student Union and Treasury can do for students and I really want to be a part of realizing that potential.  My goals this year are to improve Student Union’s relations with student groups and create better communication between the two.  As well, I want to focus on having free or less expensive performances on campus, especially popular cultural shows.  I would also like to focus on having more political speaker on campus, even beyond the Vice Presidential debates. Finally, I want to focus on more excellent music evens as I have been thoroughly impressed by the quality of those already on campus and would like to continue them.  If I am elected to Treasury this year I will do my very best to accomplish these goals and represent students’ wishes.

Kim Yeh

My Name is Kim Yeh and I am a sophomore in Olin Business School.  I am running for Treasury Representative.
Each year, over 2 million dollar is allocated by SU, but do you know where our 2 million dollars went? If the answer is “no,” I am here to help. If I am elected, I will increase the transparency of the Treasury and help you understand exactly where did the $345 you paid each year went.
Why do I want to join? As the treasurer of the Taiwanese Students Organization, I was successful in appealing money from SU, but I heard from many other smaller student groups that they faced difficulties in the process.  Therefore, I wish to represent the voices of these smaller groups that have the passion and idea, but lack sufficient funding, in the Budget Committee.
There’s a limited amount of money to allocate each year, and I believe I can help decide which events will benefit you the most. For example, I feel Wash U doesn’t place enough emphasis on bringing speakers on campus to talk to student. Therefore, if I am elected, I will help bring quality speakers to Wash U to help enhance your college experience.
So, let me help you get your fair share of the money! Let me help you carry out your amazing idea! Let me help you have the best college experience!
Vote Kim for Treasury!

Maggy Randels

Hi, I’m Maggy Randels and I’m a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in PoliSci and Latin American Studies, and I’m running for a spot in Student Union Treasury!  If elected, this will be my third term as a Treasury Rep., and I’m really looking forward to being able to serve again.  If elected, I want to help make treasury more accessible to the student body, and I want to make decisions that spend your activity fee in the way YOU want it spent.  Basically, I want to have the best events possible on campus.  Also, I want to continue helping student groups as much as we possibly can by still being fiscally responsible.  So that’s the short version, because I know you have better things to do, but if you have any questions, just find me around campus or send me an email at merandels@wustl.edu.    And remember…. VOTE MAGGY!

David Cohen

Hi, my name is David Cohen, and I am running to be a member of the Student Union Treasury. As a freshman, I joined Treasury, looking to get involved in our school’s student government. I never imagined I would be where I am now—devoting so much of my time to Treasury, Budget Committee, and Student Union in general. However, it is something I am very passionate about. I have found my experience very rewarding, and think the knowledge I