Just as I did in my speech the other night, I'm
going to begin with a confession. While I was walking around last Friday, hanging posters on ever floor of every dorm on campus, I wondered -- just for a second -- why am I doing this? Why am I running for student body vice president?
No, it's not because it'll look good on my rsum, or because of the power and prestige associated with the position; there are undoubtedly more expedient ways of moving up the social ladder at Dartmouth than hanging posters on my Friday nights.
So then why am I running? During this year, I have become extremely involved with Student Assembly, and I have come to respect the organization greatly. I was elected as a Cluster Representative in the fall, only to be elected Secretary in the winter and appointed vice president of communications this spring. As the only '05 on the Executive Board, I devoted innumerable hours to taking minutes, making Tom Dent Reservations, keeping track of membership and sending out the Uh-Oh blitz. As much fun as I had, I also found myself frustrated . There is much that gets accomplished which goes unnoticed, and many students feel a disconnect between their interests and the work the Assembly is doing.
This can change. I have faith in the Dartmouth community, and unlike many older Assembly members, I have not become immune to the true meaning of the phrase "student voice." Through increased personal outreach, more membership requirements, and established methods of accountability, we can make Assembly a representative body. This sums up the first reason I am running -- because I have a clear vision of what I want the Assembly to become.
But why me? After all, I'm only a '05, and I've only been at Dartmouth for two complete terms. I believe, however, that this is the area in which my greatest strength lies. I have first-hand experience with the way the Assembly works, yet I also have an open mind about Assembly's future. I'm not firmly attached to the way things are, and I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make student voice the Assembly's top priority. This is no easy task, I admit, but I am prepared to devote the next three years of my life to making my dream of a representative Assembly a reality. Change at Dartmouth is often slow, but I will be around to see the necessary changes through to the end.
Now, when I'm waiting to change a blitz desktop or uncovering one of my posters , I know exactly why I am putting myself through this campaign. It's because I have a vision for Student Assembly. It's a vision where Assembly represents Dartmouth, where Assembly is connected in some way to every single student, and where Assembly truly is all about student voice.
