When I informed my friends that I was running for office, I received one of two responses. The first was genuine support and hopes that I would win the position. The second was the question, "Why bother?"
The reason why I'm running for vice president of Student Assembly is a marriage of why I'm a government major and why I came to Dartmouth. Naive as it may sound, I believe in the democratic process. In grassroots mobilization. In change from the people. Especially if you love the people you serve. In my three years here I have met some of the most brilliant individuals. Whether through sports, academics or social graces, I am humbled and awed by what this student body can accomplish at a personal and aggregate level. From crises responses such as the $1.5 million in Haiti relief, to the annual bonfire and machine that is Trips. We even had a winning football season this year. It would be a privilege to serve this community that I am both so impressed by and has given me the best experiences and memories of my life.
Moreover, I believe I am confident and capable enough to take on the charge. I have co-chaired the Diversity and Community Affairs Committee for three terms in the past two years, working with interest organizations and preparing both a Kramer Prize Proposal and Report for President Kim. I also helped organize Fieldstock over my sophomore Summer. Outside of the Assembly, I was "Spice Night" co-chair and a Pan Asian Council representative my freshmen year (and was also awarded the First Year Student Award by Pan Asian Council), and vice president of policy for Milan. I have been president of my a cappella group the Dartmouth Subtleties for two terms, Membership Director of the Dartmouth College Democrats sophomore Fall and Spring and this year am the Membership Director of College Democrats at the state level. I have been delighted to undergo both the Diversity Peer Program and the Leadership Discovery Program through OPAL, as well as the Management Leadership Development Program through the Rockefeller Center and SAPA training. On campus I am also involved with Panarchy undergraduate society, and was involved with Trips this past fall.
In the past three months, the chasm between student concerns and administrative action has only widened. What is typically considered an unfortunate disconnect between these two factions of campus grew to a loud, critical student response to administration. This wave of disillusionment was shocking on what I normally consider a "Hogwarts meets Disneyworld" campus. Talking with students, other Assembly members and campus administrators, however, the irony is that every member of campus seems to want what's best for the community. Granted, those goals are misaligned on occasion, but everyone in sum wants what is best for this community.
So if you will allow me, I will do whatever I can as vice president to give of myself and best represent your concerns and frustrations. I will attempt to empathize with your experience on campus so I can champion on your behalf. I am not promising I will succeed. But as my background and dedication to leadership and the Assembly indicate, I will do the very best I can.
