I am blessed to be entering this campaign with past experience as the Student Assembly president during Summer 2010, and a unique appreciation for Dartmouth's current situation. Dartmouth is going through a number of changes in an attempt to adjust to the times, and my primary focus is on ensuring that every student feels that the Assembly has their best interests at heart and is advocating for them in this transition period.
In today's economy, budget cuts are inevitable. However, any ideas proposed by administration that affect the student body should be discussed in the Assembly for the entire student body to debate BEFORE the final decision is made. Students must be allowed the right to vote on how college spending is allocated. Past surveys of this nature did not take into account the demographics of the student body. Thus, much funding was cut for programs that cater to under-represented groups on campus.
I plan to continue the Assembly's work with the new SEMP policy to ensure a safe social atmosphere at Dartmouth. I believe the new policy does call for more work from members of the Greek system, however, the permission to establish kegs allows for a more controlled, secure event. This new policy along with the Green Team has the potential to eliminate numerous problems between the Greek system and administration. More importantly, the policy increases the safety of students, which is of the highest priority. So, I will work with Green Team to ensure an enjoyable social experience for all respective parties.
As a linebacker on the Dartmouth football team, I understand the importance of communication, and as the former president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I recognize the value in teamwork. The Dartmouth community must work together as one to create change on campus. To assure students that the Assembly is serving them at all times, I plan to increase dialogue between the Assembly and the student body. During my presidency this past summer, I believe I did an excellent job in communicating with the student body and I plan to continue this leadership.
The College is lucky to have such a diverse student body, but I do not believe that its full potential is achieved. With my active leadership and creative ideas we can synergize all the different groups on campus so that we as a united student body can maximize and benefit from our own potential. I believe if we give the power to students, together we can improve the Dartmouth experience.
Doing so means providing substantial funding to various interest groups on campus and as Student Assembly president, I plan to offer these organizations the financial and administrative support needed to leverage their ability to be more integrated and proactive members of the Dartmouth community. This plan includes work continuing the promotion of women's health and safety through sexual abuse education and similar means, and securing adequate minority faculty in College administration.
With the departure of my dean Colleen Larimore, advisor Samantha Ivery and friend Sylvia Spears, all within a matter of months, I have taken great personal interest in locating qualified candidates and ensuring that they are placed in a supportive environment here at Dartmouth.
I myself do not propose to know all the answers to the issues that face the student body, but I am more than certain that with my leadership, the creativity of our student body and improved avenues for students to express themselves, we have everything that we need to identify and address the issues that we face. I foresee the Assembly being a forum that facilitates mutual understanding and provides a mechanism whereby all the great minds of Dartmouth can come together to turn ideas into reality. It's time to "put the power in the people," change the power dynamics on campus and truly make Dartmouth a welcoming and supportive environment for students from all walks of life. Because after all, we the students are a huge part of what makes Dartmouth worth the experience, so let's make this experience really worthwhile for us all.
