I am running because I, like you, have higher expectations for this campus.
Student Assembly markets itself as the vehicle of communication between students and the administration, but as of yet, neither seems capable of engaging in productive dialogue. The lack of response by the administration to the needs of students is astounding, and our resulting disillusionment is a dangerous precursor to apathy.
It is absolutely fundamental that the Board of Trustees and the College administration be held accountable for responding to the needs of all students. I am the only candidate who has met one-on-one with President Jim Kim, Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson and other faculty members to discuss not only what is currently being done for students or lack thereof but also what is possible at Dartmouth.
I'm running because I know that "concurrence," "co-sponsoring" and "cooperation" may not be enough for campus-wide development anymore.
We cannot change campus relationships in a year. We cannot suddenly bring together every student in every community and optimize relationships that takes time. It takes small, realistic steps that can be accomplished year after year and that are simple enough to incorporate into every student's schedule.
We need to stop talking in vague terms. Discussions among students about hazing, homophobia, race, class, et cetera are neither missing nor undervalued, but instead see little "facetime" because students do not publish their conclusions. I propose that at the start of the year, individuals, whether they are "leaders" or not, come together and make concrete standards literally bullet points, statements to which they pledge to hold their peers and themselves. We will agree to be evaluated on those standards and make it cool to be a good person again. Make it the norm. On this campus, social pressure is often the most powerful force, so I plan to utilize it in a positive way. The Assembly president has the power to implement this program.
I'm running because I understand our personal efforts for change on this campus could be stronger with the whole body of voices behind them.
Every voice on this campus is strong, but each could be stronger. As the founder of Women's Forum, a Mentor Against Violence, a Panhellenic Council executive and a planning member of V-Week, I have been fortunate enough to work with a multitude of passionate, powerful people on campus. However, we as a collective are only the sum of our constituents.
As Assembly president, I intend to implement open discussions of multifarious issues including: hazing, sexual assault, homophobia, the faculty resignations of minority women and student advocates, lack of viable alternative social spaces, lack of mental health services, lack of an international student and women's alumni network, the mounting burdensome student financial aid contributions and additional negative effects of budget cuts.
All too often, grandiose ideas albeit attractive and important ones like "bringing the community together" and "bringing the Assembly to every single one of you" are not followed through. I believe my track history of translating these attractive ideas into actual action palpable programs with measurable results qualifies and sets me apart as your potential president.
It is time that we see the results we deserve.
I'm running because I need, as much as you do, a community of peers who are willing to follow through on their promises; peers who promise to respect each other as they do themselves.
The Dunyun appropriately assessed students' importance in the perspective of the administration in their recent article, "A Letter from President Kim:" "Sorry it took me over a month to write you about a campus-wide hazing scandal but less than an hour to tell you about my sick new job offer." Recent delays by the administration to respond to student needs highlights the desperate need for a stronger, more accessible Assembly. I plan to hold office hours, open meetings with Student Assembly and especially open meetings with administrators to breed transparency and trust between you, me and the administration.
We are the greatest force for change. By holding each other accountable, we create a strong force that the administration cannot ignore. I can be your vehicle to make the administration hear your voices I want to magnify your efforts, ally with your causes and institute real, measurable change on campus.
