Elections will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27 until Thursday Sept. 29. Students can vote in the Campus Center and online.
DailyCollegian.com sent a voluntary questionnaire to candidates. Those who responded are listed below. To begin, click on your residential area. Below each category, there is a complete list of candidates who will be on the ballot.
Central Dorms
Voters can select FIVE senators from this category.
1. Sam Dauphinais
My name is Sam Dauphinais. I’m a sophomore studying Resource Economics and I am running to represent Central. The big thing I would like to focus on is cost reduction for students. I won’t be voting or encouraging anything that would end up costing students more money. For example, I would like to encourage further lobbying for state funding and I would like to further promote the UMass textbook swap instead of having students rely on the annex. As I said above, last year, the SGA made an effort to lobby for more state funding for the school, and received it, as well as introducing a textbook swapping website. It’s things like these that make school more affordable and enjoyable for everybody, and it’s exactly these things that I will be pushing for as a senator. Every student on campus is a member of the SGA, but many students seem uninterested or unaware of all the positive changes the SGA has made for the school. I would like to see a higher level of student participation in the SGA.
2. Savannah Van Leuvan-Smith
My name is Savannah Van Leuvan-Smith. I am a Freshman. I am a Theater major with Political Science and Biology minors. I am running for a seat in the Central residential district. The main issue that I will focus on is that of the cost of education. I would love to lobby in Boston for higher education to lower our tuition. I would love to see SGA put some of their focus on environmental change around campus. The one thing I would change about SGA Senate involves the commuter residential district. I think it should be split into Commuter and Greek residential areas.
3. William Stilwell
My name is William B. Stilwell, I’m a freshman History major seeking to get elected in the Central Residence Area. The biggest issue this year will be working out the kinks and getting more student input on the tobacco-free regulations slated to go into effect in 2013, and I will work hard to make sure what is best for the students of this University goes through. This year I hope we can sponsor more fundraising activities that are both fun from the students and raise money so that all RSO’s can operate to their potential.I have never served in the Senate here so I will have to wait and see.
4. Keith Lima
Keith Lema, 2014, Political Science and Economics, Central
I’m running to fight tuition hikes, to improve campus sustainability, and to get rid of the textbook annex. Obviously, textbook prices are a consistent complaint on campus. Every student I talk to feels that Follet, the company contracted to run the annex, is blatantly taking advantage of them.
I want to see more communication between the SGA and the student body. Something as simple as providing brief summaries of meetings on Facebook could help improve awareness about issues on campus.
UMass is such a large institution that it is easy for student to feel powerless to change student issues. The SGA and its members should do all they can to help students.
5. Amy Hien
Hey everyone! I’m Amy and I want to represent you! I’m a senior here at Umass majoring in sociology with a certificate in Public Policy and Administration and a letter in Social Welfare/Work. Throughout my years here, I have gained knowledge which will be beneficial if I’m elected. I’m running for senate because I believe Umass needs a change. I know I’m not the only one who is tired of the raising prices! My goal if elected is to petition for more state funding and lower prices. Did you know Umass is one of the most expensive public higher institutions? Let’s try to change that! My time and effort would also be spent to increase sustainability on campus and more ecofriendly programs. I will try my best to create more student activities not only in the dorms, but throughout campus. I’m very proud to be a part of Umass, and I hope each and everyone is too. Together, we can create the change that Umass needs.
6. Renee Barouxis
My name is Renée Barouxis. I’m a sophomore political science major running to represent Central. If elected, I would focus on promoting sustainability on campus, pushing for a new or improved Student Union Building, and reevaluating Residence Hall Security to make it more effective. In the past year, the SGA has launched its book swap program, had its first Lobby Day to demand increased funding at the State House, educated students about their legal in police encounters through its Know Your Rights campaign, and introduced the Bike Share Program in collaboration with the Campus Sustainability Initiative. I would love to see these incredible efforts publicized more and expanded upon. For example, the SGA could advertise the Book Swap more at the start of semesters, host multiple Lobby Day trips a year, put the informational material for the Know Your Rights Campaign on the SGA website for easy access, and gradually add more Bike Share stations across campus. I want to help make the SGA more transparent and more accessible for the student body, but I believe that the SGA’s new website and their increased presence on Facebook are steps in the right direction.
7. Emily Grey
Hello! My name is Emily Grey and I am freshman in the Class of 2015! I am currently a Social Thought and Political Economy major and I am running for one of the five senate seats for the Central Residential Area on the UMass SGA Student Senate.
If elected Senator, there are numerous issues that I will be extremely devoted to improving. Some of which include preventing Financial Aid cuts, improving and expanding the student union, along with my ideas for Freshman Orientation (The Real Way), which focuses on bridging the gap between upperclassmen and freshman in social aspects.
I would love to see the SGA Student Senate promote more social and political awareness amongst the student body. In Senate, the State and Federal Committee handles the publicity of not only UMass’ political awareness, but local, state, and federal awareness as well; I want to make sure that this committee and the Senate as a whole are providing every opportunity possible for individuals to get involved and become active, erudite citizens of our society.
Although SGA has done a magnificent job in representing the student population, I really think that out community would benefit from a more open student-to-senate relationship. By hosting open meetings, student-to-senate suggestion conferences, and publicity opportunities, I believe that the SGA senate would function at a much higher level, as the students of UMass will be fully aware of the issues we address.
8. Sean O’Connor
Sean O’Connor, junior economics and history double major running for a seat in Central.
Similar to my time as senator and chairman of the State and Federal Organizing Committee last year, my main focus is working to make UMass as accessible and affordable as possible for everyone. People should never be discriminated against because of their financial situation, and I’ve worked hard for the last year in order to right that wrong.
I would like to see more focus on the concerns of the students, and less on the inner workings of the SGA. No student cares about the by-laws or a Senate dress code. We are there to serve the student population, and any time spent worrying about how we look as a body is irresponsible.
I hope that we can bridge the disconnect between the student population as a whole and the workings of the Senate. Most students don’t see Senators as working for them, but rather for their own resumes.
11. William Jennings
12. Diego Fellows
My name is Diego Fellows. I am a member of the Class of 2015 and my major is Political Science.
Smoking Regulations, Meal Card Usage, RSO funding.
If elected, I will work with other senators to encourage more direct SGA involvement on the administrative side to UMass. I believe that students deserve a voice. With more students involved with university decisions, we can ensure that UMass benefits both the students and the administration.
Depending upon the current situation of the SGA, I will continue to work to ensure that the SGA is run as efficiently as possible. If there are any positions that do not necessarily need to be in place, then I will work to remove them.
12. Zac Bears
13. Evan Heller
I am Evan Heller, I am of the class of 2015 and going to double major in English and Anthropology. I am running for Central Area Senate.
The main issue I will focus on will be on fixing the increasing tuition rate and ensuring that the will of the student populace is mirrored in the actions of the SGA.
In SGA, I would like to see more of outside student involvement and engagement.
What I would most like to change about SGA would be finding a way for students to follow the developments of SGA in an interesting and easily understand forum.
14. Tracy Gebhart
15. Ben Lees
Commuter Candidates
Voters can select NINETEEN senators from this category.
1. Chris Lehmann
Hello, my name is Christopher Lehmann, I am a sophomore majoring in Communications with a minor in Spanish. I am running for Commuter Senate. The main issue I will focus on is the output of funds for activities and student organizations. In the future, I would like to see more involvement from the students. A main cause for that is through awareness. Not many people fully understand the student government or believe that they can accomplish anything. People are still stuck on the idea of a high school government, which has a very little impact in most high schools around the country. The SGA on the other hand has a very strong impact on what people see and do around campus.
2. Allison McGrail
My name is Allison McGrail and I am a junior history major running for Senate as a Commuter.
If I am elected, I will focus on issues of access for students, ensuring that the varying needs of the student population are being met and that people are aware of the resources available to them and their rights as students. I will also be an advocate for increased diversity on campus anabled by an increase in state funding and more affordable public higher education.
I would like to see the SGA use its influence as a legitimate representative of UMass students to have a greater say in the policies and decisions that affect our daily lives. I would like to see students interact more with the administration to ensure that we have a say in University decisions. Who knows the needs of the University better than the students themselves?
I would like to see the SGA be a better representation of the student population, increasing the numbers of women senators, as well as senators of color. I also hope that the SGA will be willing to question and challenge decisions made for students by administrators.
3. Nate Lamb
Nate Lamb, Senior, Political Science Major, Commuter Area
I am vehemently opposed to the Tobacco Ban being imposed by the University. It is a very egregious attack on the personal freedoms of UMass students, and is a dangerous precedent to set. I have proposed a compromise policy for Designated Smoking areas around campus which is also on the ballot this fall.
I will continue to work on UMass FreeDD, which some of you may remember was a campaign issue when I ran for SGA President last spring. This will be a long process but is something we can make serious headway on if you vote to re-elect me to Senate.
I will also work on a 5-10 year retention improvement plan for the University. Since I have been involved with SGA the University has been focusing on new buildings as a way to improve as a university rather than trying to increase graduation rates. I will fight for students and make it easier to graduate from UMass on time
I would like to see more SGA involvement on larger scale issues like increasing retention at the University. I would also like to see us fight more when our voices our ignored by the administration. For example fight back against the Tobacco Ban that we students did not have adequate say in, and the Code of Student Conduct Commission changes that were almost entirely ignored by the administration.
I want to change the structure of funding in the Student Government Association to reduce waste in our budgeting process and to allow more monetary flexibility to RSOs throwing events.
4. Tyler Manoukian
My name is Tyler Manoukian and I am a junior Journalism Major. I am running for commuter area senate. The main issues I am focusing on are fund distribution and student involvement. I believe all RSOs should have access to funds and the current method sometimes confuses students. I want to make that easier. I want more students to be involved, both on and off campus. Meeting students on campus instead of letting them come to office hours or meetings is a great way to facilitate that. I would like to see more participation from the students and a better understanding by the SGA in regards to RSOs seeking funds. In the past years, I have disagreed with the way the SGA has handled RSO fund distribution. I want to change the awareness level of the students towards the SGA. Too often, I meet students who don’t care about the SGA, and I want to get students more involved by getting on a “level platform” with them
5. Dan Stratford
My name is Dan Stratford, I am a member of the Class of 2012 – a Political Science major with a history minor – and I am running for Commuter Senate.
The main issues that I would like to focus on this year would be the expansion of commuter-area bus service, which is often unconscionably overcrowded during the morning and evening “rush hours,” with many denizens of far-off routes being unable to board overloaded buses.
I would like to see a more active and vibrant polity within the SGA Senate that encourages debate and deliberation. There is an almost tyrannical anti-political purism that, despite its paradoxical presence within a governmental body, threatens to emaciate the SGA and relegate it to the role of a mere event-planning service. The SGA’s identity as a deliberative assembly must be preserved at all costs.
I would like to see a greater political integration of those who lost the Senate elections but who still want to be involved in Student Government, albeit without crossing the threshold of capriciously doling out Senate seats and other appointments to the unqualified.
6. Hailey Wallace
7. Alex Cidado
8. Michael Cusher
9. John Rockwell
John Rockwell, Junior, Political Science major. Running for Commuting Student Senate position.
I want to ensure that the voices of commuter students are well represented in the Senate and will ensure that I stay connected and available to commuting students.
I would like to see more active representation in our Student Government by commuting and non-conventional students, and that is why I am running for office.
This being my first year running for, or exposed to, the Student Senate, my goal is to simply learn about our processes and become an integral member of our system.
10. Allison Sacks
11. Jessica Stern
My name is Jessica Stern and I’m a senior communication major. This year I’m running for re-election to serve commuters here at UMass.
Last year I was a part of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee, where we sought to tackle issues around campus that once inconvenienced students. One of those projects was to implement more bike racks around campus, to make sure students who make the environmental friendly choice to ride bikes were able to keep their bikes secure whenever they were in class. I’m very passionate about accommodating student life day to day.
In the SGA I would like to see more advocating for new students’ overall wellbeing. I remember being a freshman here and feeling unsure that my needs and wants as a student were going to be heard. The transition from high school to college can be very overwhelming and I’m proud to be a voice for freshmen and transfers alike.
I was a student senator all four years of high school, where my main role was to use social functions to bring students together and unify the school for a common cause. Though UMass is an incredibly large university, more social events would really benefit everyone and be a nice way to relax after weeks of hard work and exams.
12. Trevor Bullard
Trevor Bullard, Class of 2012, Social Thought & Political Economy/Political Science double major, Commuter Area Senate
Fighting the new tobacco ban before it is implemented. Sober Driver program for the campus. Reforming Code of Student Conduct to cut students a break with regards to being written up/fined for alcohol-related matters.
Cooperation with outside organizations (MADD for sober driver program, etc.)
The perception that they don’t get a lot done. I think that the SGA can do a much better job marketing its successes to show the campus its accomplishments. Get people excited about the wins!
13. Dillan Curtis
Voters can select TWO senators from this category.
1. Sophia Zaman
My name is Sophia Zaman. I am a fourth year student double-majoring in Political Science & Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies. I am running for Senate in North Residential Area.
I am most interested in issues of access and affordability. As a state University, UMass is supposed to be the affordable option, however our tuition and fees are on the rise. Last year, with the help of the Center for Education Policy & Advocacy, I was able to lobby the Statehouse in Boston and helped to add $1.1 million to the Financial Aid line item in the House Budget. I was also able to lobby our Senators in Washington D.C. and restore our Pell Grants. I hope to continue making UMass a more affordable university!
I hope to see more relationship-building and collaboration between SGA and our student body. Too often, we keep office hours and expect students to come to us to have their say. I believe in meeting students where they are at. I would like to see senators attending more RSO events, going into the residents halls to find out what issues students have on campus, and actually channeling their input into substantive change.
I find SGA to be inaccessible for most students. I believe this stems from the problem that we typically only hear from one perspective. I would like to bring fresh perspective as a woman-of-color to the room. I know I have unique experiences that will be important to hear given our diverse student needs.
2. Hanan Nicola Bumpus
Northeast Dorms
Voters can select FOUR senators from this category.
1. Avery Normyle
My full name is Avery Issac Nagy-Normyle. Depending on how I structure my credits, I will either graduate in 2014 or 2015. I am currently enrolled as a German Language major, however I will soon declare as a German/Political Science double major.
I will focus on communicating with students and proposing new ideas to encourage ingenuity. The most important element in representing people is the ability to listen to them. I will reach out and communicate with my fellow students and student organization leaders because cooperation gets things done.
SGA is one of the most reputable organizations on campus. Within SGA are some of the most capable, responsible, and dignified students at UMass. These students hold a lot of power and sway with the University; I hope to make more students aware of exactly how influential SGA and its senators are.
Similar to my last response, I want to make SGA an even more visible organization. The incredible amount of candidates speaks volumes to its increasing popularity. Why not expound on this? Competition breeds new ideas and innovation, and an increased number of candidates proves that there’s a larger diversity of students running for seats.
2. Paola Ozuna
3. Brigid Thompson
My name is Brigid Thompson. I am a sophomore (class of 2014) majoring in Political Science. I am running for the Student Government Senate, representing Northeast.
I would like to focus on saving money where it is possible because increases in tuition seem to be a prominent issue for students. Also, I would like to make campus resources less of a mystery and more user-friendly. In addition, promoting more multicultural programs is important issue for me.
I support the SGA’s continued efforts to transform the campus into a more “eco-friendly environment.” Not only would this be good for “Mother Nature,” it would be financially beneficial in the long run.
The SGA, I have found, is a mystery to many; people are not aware enough of the work the organization does around campus. I would like to see more effective publicity for SGA activities, so student’s are more aware of what’s going on in this community, that is called UMass Amherst.
4. Tin-Lan Shing
My name is Tin-Lan Shing. I’m a Junior majoring in economics and I am running for northeast.
I am focusing on more students’ involvement around campus whether it is letting more students know about the existence of SGA and what we do to the students activities around campus and also anything to let students benefit from such as supporting the SGA Book swap.
I think overall the SGA has been doing an awesome job making students’ college life a little more easier and affordable so we will just continue doing better to make students life here at Umass a more fun, exciting and valuable experience to gain.
I think the SGA is already at a good standing though I think it needs to be more transparent and branch out more to let students know what they could do for them like I think the website was a great idea to start with
Voters can select FOUR senators from this category.
1. Garrett Gowen
My name is Garrett Gowen. I’m a Junior, History/PoliSci major, German minor. I’m running in Orchard Hill.
The university is taking on far too many new students; someone must tell the administration to end this unsustainable policy and focus on enrolled students. I also want to bring back the Readership Program, and put the New York Times and the Boston Globe back in the DCs. There also needs to be an end to Housing’s new policy banning RSO’s from reaching out to students in the dorms.
I want to see more conversation between the SGA and the administration. Too often is the students’ voice lost in the yelling and demanding that characterizes protests against the administration. There needs to be someone with a cool head who is willing to talk with an indoor voice and compromise.
The SGA has had enough change in the past three years that I’ve been involved with it. It’s time for the SGA to stop focusing on reshaping itself and its own bylaws and to start focusing on students and actually representing the students to the administration.
2. Nate Richardson
3. Mik Ziencina
4. Vikrant Sunderal Chandel
5. Priya Ghosh
My name is Priya Ghosh and I am running to be a Senator in Orchard Hill for the Student Government Association (SGA)!
I am a first year student in the class of 2015 living in Dickinson. I am a Neuroscience major on the Pre-medical track and I plan to double major in Public Health Sciences.
Civic engagement and public service have been my lifelong passions. I am running for Orchard Hill Senate because I believe it is my duty and privilege to contribute to the UMass community through leadership, and an even greater honor to represent you!
I am passionately committed to creating positive change in Orchard Hill, SGA and our University, and most importantly, to serving and representing you! My VISION and MISSION is to create proactive solutions to issues that matter to you like:
Advocating for more funding to be allocated to RSOs and causes that Orchard Hill residents are involved in!
Lobbying to keep tuition and fees at their current price as well as lobbying for an increased budget for financial aid for UMass students during Lobby Day at the Boston State House.
Improving Green consciousness & sustainability by working closely with green efforts to develop our current programs and implement more economical ones.
I would like to see more accessibility of students to their representatives. I believe in making democracy more convenient and accessible to you, which is why I will be holding hours each week in the Dickinson Lounge when you can voice your opinions, questions, concerns, thoughts and ideas about about any and everything you?d like to! I hope other representatives will do the same!
UMass is an incredibly environmentally conscious campus, which is something we can all benefit from! I’d like to see more involvement and support for green and sustainable initiatives!
I’d like to see more SGA initiatives like Lobby Day and the SGA Book Swap.
I believe in a transparent democratic system, one in which your ideas, issues and opinions are paramount. I want SGA to be more transparent in their actions so all UMass students are aware of the Senate?s work; I will strive to ensure that transparency is valued and upheld.
Financial Aid cuts are detrimental to the UMass student and university as a whole. SGA has set a great precedent of protecting the financial aid budget and I hope to be a part of their continued endeavors to protect student aid and be a change agent in increasing the amount of aid this year.
The new flyering policy that prevents RSOs from advertising in residential houses restricts outreach to many students. I plan to change this policy so advertising in residential buildings is possible again.
Vote for an activist who will advocate for you!
I am ecstatic and honored to be in the running to represent you, I hope to have your support!
Voters can select SIX senators from this category.
1. Adam Baldarelli
My name is Adam Baldarelli and I am running for re-election to serve Southwest North as its Senator. I am currently a sophomore double majoring
in Management and Legal Studies. I have a strong desire to advance our campus initiatives and am
confident my previous record shows that. As your Senator last year, I secured $50,000 to increase the number of bicycle racks across campus, worked to add a Film major, and helped develop an improvement to the course withdrawal option. I am currently leading an effort to construct an outdoor ice rink during the winter season in addition to implementing a Free Sober Driving program on campus. This year, I plan to get UMass Amherst on the iTunes University Store as well as work to revise the undergraduate grading policy. I would like to see more collaboration between the SGA and campus administration. I strongly believe students would benefit if there was more effective communication. These positive relationships are paramount if the SGA wants to effectively work on new policy that will affect the whole
campus community. The SGA is a tremendously sound body of students who genuinely care about improving student life. I would, however, like to see more diversity with regard to undergraduate disciplines. A broader and more diverse range of student majors could expand discussions and increase feedback so that better results can be achieved.
2. Kyle Jessey
John Kyle Jessey, 2015, Business undedclared, and Southwest North
As a freshman I am somewhat unaware of the specific areas the senate covers, I am ready to become associated with as many issues/committees within the senate if elected. I am very active in sports, I intend on going into law, and am not a fan of the high cost of books so areas in that nature may be the way I go.
More involvement in the school. Ideally, the senate will become the main representation for students in Umass so I intend to, and wish, to make the Senate more active in the school community.
As of right now I do not know of the specific operation in the senate, so once I become an active member, I will know of some areas that need changes.
3. Ryan Teixeira
My name is Ryan Teixeira. I am a sophomore. I am currently undeclared in Isenberg School of Management, but I am applying to triple major in Management, Sports Management, and BDIC. I am running for Southwest North Senate.
I will focus on making the school better as a whole but especially on academic and disciplinary issues. I believe that everything is important to factor in when improving the school and nothing should be overlooked.
I would like to see more responsibility in the SGA. I believe the students that are in the SGA are generally very motivated and responsible and should see there decisions having a larger say in the campus community, and not just for minor issues. I would like to change the involvement level of the campus in the SGA. SGA is very important to everyone who lives on or attends this school and it is very important for our campus to be involved.
4. Maurice Gatongo
My name is Maurice N. Gatongo. I am a biology major and I’m running for Senator of the South West North area.
I feel like South west is such huge community that people really don’t get to interact with each other and they mainly hang in cliques. I would like to promote more activities that will get people involved and socializing with more than just their group of friends. Also since I’ve been here I have wished that they could put TVs on every lounge of the towers I feel like I could make that happen if I’m elected.
I would like to see the SGA fight for more funding to the RSO’s I feel like some RSO’s are more favored than others and thus get more funding. This is not fair at all and I would like to see the SGA do something to change that.
I want to change the fact that the SGA really doesn’t have a lot of minority members. I feel that in a way there are some groups that are not being fairly represented because of this.
5. Jacob Schissel
6. Magda Compere
Magdala Compere, 2012, theatre, running for southwest north senate
On cultural unity, I think UMass should showcase its diversity in many ways.
Different kinds of people and cultures participating in as many aspects besides entertainment.
Making it more important in all the communities and show that it is here for all!
Southwest (South) Dorms
Voters can select SEVEN senators from this category.
1. Nate Howe
I’m Nathaniel (Nate) Howe, I’m an undeclared freshman running from Southwest South out of John Adams. Main issues i’ll be focusing on if elected are the high cost for the basics like textbooks and meal plans. Also I would encourage the cleanliness and Environmental friendliness of the campus with things like more accessible trash and recycling receptacles. I would like the SGA to be a little more transparency to make the SGA more public and the issues they are working on more visible to the public. Honestly I would add more advertising for the SGA. I think that because of the importance of the student government, that more people should be running and participating.
2. Emily Hajjar
My name is Emily Hajjar and I’m a sophomore here at Umass. I am a Political Science major and I am running in the Southwest South Area. I may only be 4’8″ but I am a very outgoing and responsible leader, and I would love to represent my fellow peers in southwest south! The main issues I would focus on would be funding for financial aid and scholarship endowment, also focus on problems with parking, and the over crowding of dorms. I would like to see more student out reach from SGA, issues should be more accessible to students threw social networks and many other resources at Umass. SGA is there to represent the students of Umass and if elected I will ensure it stays that way. Thank you and Please vote for Emily Hajjar on September 27th-29th!
3. Emily Notini
My name is Emily Notini. I am a sophomore, graduating in 2014. I am a political science major, with a minor in economics. I am running for Senate of Southwest-South.
The main issues I want to focus on as a senator are lowering the cost of text books, lowering the fines students face when getting ‘written up,’ and anything that the Southwest-South student body believes should be addressed.
I would like to see the SGA become a more popular association around campus. Most students are not aware of the SGA, and therefore do not see the benefits in being involved in it. I believe the SGA should represent the student body as a whole, with everyone getting a voice in what must be changed or addressed.
I do not want to change anything about the Student Government Association presently. However, if elected to senate, I will work to change anything that I believe can be improved.
4. Gabrielle Cook
My name is Gabrielle Cook and I am a freshman Political Science Major. I am running for Senate of Southwest-South.
I will focus on the student body and doing whatever I can to give everyone a say. As amazing as our campus is, there are always ways to improve it and we should listen to everyone’s ideas. I find that student involvement in SGA is very important. Everyone should feel that they have a say and should bring up any issues or ideas that they would like to propose.
As a freshman, I have noticed the lack of knowledge about SGA throughout other freshman. Many students do not know much about the organization. I want to find a way to get everyone involved via polls/votes, newsletters, events, social networking, etc. The students should all have a part in making this a better campus.
5. Nick Barton
Name- Nick Barton. Class Year- Junior. Major- Political Science and History. Area- Southwest South
During my two years serving in the SGA Senate, I have noticed a lot of things we can change to help our fellow students. The issue I am most passionate about working on is helping lobby the State Legislature for more State Funding for UMass, which will help student fees from constantly rising. Other issues I want to work on are building enough housing for an increasing student population, stopping Southwest from becoming all-freshman, starting new SGA programming, and getting five student votes on the Board of Trustees.
I believe one of the things the SGA lacks is a true focus on student issues. We have unfortunately tended in the past to focus too much of our energy on internal matters. If re-elected to a third year in the Senate, I hope to ensure that our focus remains primarily on issues that directly help the students of the campus.
One of the largest issues with SGA that I believe needs to be changed is how the different bodies within SGA communicate and work together. There is currently an unfortunate disconnect between Senate, Executive, RHA, Area Governments, and House Councils. If all of these bodies are working together in harmony, we can be a more powerful advocate for students than any one can be on its own.
6. Nate Howe
7. Lindsay Vitale
My Name is Lindsay Vitale, I am a sophomore, and I am double majoring in accounting and operations management with a minor in economics. I am running for re-election for Southwest South Senate.
Last year I mainly focused on financial issues with the University including our tuition and the distribution of funds to clubs and organizations here on campus, as well as issues that affect students everyday living on and off campus. These are the main issues I plan to continue to work on this year if re-elected.
I would like to see the SGA communicate more with all of the RSO?s (clubs) and organizations here on campus. The SGA is supposed to serve as a liaison between the administration and the student body, so I would absolutely like to see more of that connection.
I would like for the SGA to work on problems that actually affect us rather than wasting time constantly changing the SGA?s by-laws. We are here to provide results for the student body not make empty promises in order to persuade people to vote for us. Results are key.
8. Rebecca Kwakye
My name is Rebecca Kwakye. I am a freshman and undeclared but leading towards political science as a major. I am running for Southwest south senate.
The most important issue that I will focus on to equalize the budget for every organization instead of organization getting more funds due to the amount of members in the group. Also I will focus on getting this school to become more sustainable.
I would like to see more diversity in SGA. I would also like to see a FQA page on the SGA home page
I would like to change the way how information are given out about SGA. Meaning that everything is online but at time it’s hard to find answers online to questions when it your first year.
9. Timothy Nikolouzos
10. Mitch Fleishman
M¡tch Class: Junior Major: Political Science Running for: Senate
Issues: a. resolving internal SGA issues that makes our SGA inefficient. b. not raising any student fees, trying to reduce fees. c. make sure that YOUR voice is heard.
I want to see more public participation, meaning have people outside SGA come in and offer their opinions, especially those who are experts on the issue. Why should we be making a decision when there could be an unbiased 3rd party?
I believe bureaucracy is rampant, and making this run a little smoother might do us well.
11. Obi Iloh
12. Willis Chen
Hello UMass! I?m Willis Chen, and I?m currently a History and a Political Science double major in the Class of 2015! I?m currently running for SGA Senate in the Southwest-South area!
Since I’m a freshman right now, I will be honest here and say that I?ll look into the issues accordingly before I go on the record about it. But one issue I would like to look into is to look at the possibility of perhaps installing air conditioners in the dorms; some of my fellow hallmates/dormmates have complained about the rooms getting uncomfortable when the temperatures and humidity gets to uncomfortable levels outside. In other words, it becomes bloody hell for them when the temperatures outside are in the 80s and the humidity levels are high. But otherwise, I will have to see what?s going on before I form my stance(s) (in other words, I don?t make promises I won?t keep) Hence why my campaign slogan is ?No promises. Just do it?
One thing I would like to see a bit more is that senators should hold constituent meetings on a regular basis. From what I heard, a number of senators do not do that. I do want to keep my constituents informed of the current issues being debated, and give them an opportunity to voice their opinions (and bring any of their ideas they may have to the Senate for proposal, if any)
At this moment, I think SGA is fine as it is!
13. Holli Selman
14. Jennifer Melifonwu
15. Zac Broughton
My name is Zac Broughton and I am a Sophomore Political Science-Legal Studies Duel Degree student. I am running to represent Southwest South.
I want to fight the Tobacco Ban that is set to take affect in 2013 as well as the newly established Solicitation Policy set forth by the Director of Residence Life/Education, Eddie Hull. I also want serve again on the Ways and Means Committee and work with RSOs to allocate a better, sensible, and fair budget across the board. The Ways and Means Committee is one of the main sources of communication that students engage with the SGA. It is a powerful committee that has not run so smoothly in the past and I feel that as a returning Senator, I can utilize my knowledge of the past and truly make it better for the future of SGA budget allocations and the relationship that the SGA shares with the RSOs across campus.
In the SGA I would like to see more individual projects from each Senator. Last year when I was in Senate, the SGA as a whole did not accomplish many things, besides whatever former President Brandon Tower was working on. In order for us to be more effective and legitimate across campus, each Senator needs to take up a project that they feel passionate about and work on it as best they can. This ensures that the SGA works on a broad range of issues rather than just one as well as forces Senators to actually do the work of the students.
I want the SGA to communicate more with the Students. As a Senator from last year, I always heard about how students did not know what the SGA was or did not feel that the SGA was doing anything effective. I know how hard the SGA works for the students of this campus and I want them to see as well as understand why we are here. We must take it upon ourselves to get our projects and issues out there, so that we can gather student support and truly make a difference.
16. Joane Theophile
Sylvan Dorms
Voters can select THREE senators from this category.
1. Jonathan Lopez
2. Clay Merrill
