This campaign has certainly been a heated process.
Each of the candidates has fired back and forth at one another about platforms and past records.
Amidst the debate, the question still remains unclear who would accomplish the goals that really matter on campus.
One important quality is the ability to follow through on plans and actually make things happen.
This winter, I took charge of the Student Organizations Committee, and I am so proud of the things that we accomplished. We authored and produced the Student Bill of Rights and we successfully surveyed the financial and administrative challenges facing student groups on this campus. As a consequence, we launched an effort to provide emergency funding for inadequately financed organizations like club sports teams.
Thus, accusations that I have not accomplished anything on the Student Assembly are simply untrue.
Working as part of a team, I have done a great deal and it is this mentality that I want to bring to the Student Assembly next year.
But more importantly, if you look at the type of work that I have focused on, you will see that it involves building relationships and trying to directly help student groups on this campus.
This is my unique vision for the Student Assembly and this is what distinguishes me from the other candidates. Julia talks about her work on Kresge Gym and getting DASH in the vending machines -- important projects that will be continued.
But we must also do more. The Student Assembly simply can't remain a club unto itself. For instance, we need to get a significant portion of our $60,000 budget to the groups on this campus that need it most. While Julia and others blocked this effort last winter, next year we will make it happen.
Furthermore, building relationships doesn't end with student groups. If we are really going to protect the things that matter most at this school, we need to establish a real connection with the alumni.
While having close ties with administrators is important, it means nothing if there is still underlying disagreement.
So if we want to protect our sports teams and prevent occurrences like last year's swim team incident, we need to establish a real tie with the Alumni Council.
The same applies for protecting strong undergraduate teaching, fighting to open up the College budget and continuing to ensure that our Greek system remains vibrant and strong.
Thank you very much and I hope you will join the effort to turn the Student Assembly into a real student government.
Ralph and Rally.
