Samantha Hirschman | Assistant News Editor
Buena Vista University (BVU) Student Senate hosted a debate this past Monday. The debate included a panel of the candidates for the 2015-2016 Student Senate Executive Board.
The candidates each introduced themselves by giving a background about who they are and why they would be the best candidate. Below you will find a short paragraph about each student and why they want to be in the specific position.
For Treasurer, Chase Werden, Jacob Braddock, and Morgan Langan were nominated. The Treasurer’s duties include: (1) to chair the Finance and Financial Aid Committee, (2) to oversee all accounts which are subject to the control of the Student Senate, (3) to make weekly financial reports to the Student Senate, (4) to be the liaison between Student Senate and the Buena Vista University Business Office, and (5) to oversee annual allocations to student organizations.
“I am the best candidate for Treasurer because I have experience. I have served on the Finance and Financial Aid committee for the past two years— I know what it takes to be the Student Senate Treasurer. Vote Werden for Treasurer,” Werden said.
“My name is Jacob Braddock, and I am a freshman Biology major running for the Student Senate Treasurer position available this coming fall. I am currently serving my second semester as part of Student Senate. I serve on the Student Conduct board as part of my Student Senate obligations and am currently the Treasurer of the Pre-Health Club here on campus. My point of interest for being elected to this position is to reconstruct the current allocation process and make a few needed improvements. Additionally, I have promised to shave my mustache as part of my obligation to being an advocate for upholding the ideals of all individuals here at Buena Vista University!” Braddock said.
“I am Morgan Langan, a sophomore Communication Studies major, and I am running for Student Senate Treasurer. I have spent the past two years on the Student Senate, and now I wish to contribute to the students and the organization. I have served on the Finance/Financial Aid committee this past year, which is the committee run by the Treasurer and in charge of the allocations process. As Treasurer, I would work to help make the allocations process more transparent and accessible to members of other organizations. I wish to implement a fall workshop about planning and reviewing a budget, understanding the allocations process, and asking for an allocation outside of the spring allocations period. I want to help make Student Senate more accessible to students because, after all, we cannot function without the support of the student body,” Langan said.
Emily Leighton has been nominated for Secretary. The Secretary’s duties include: (1) to keep an accurate record of Student Senate meetings, (2) to take attendance at meetings, (3) to notify the Student Senate of meetings, and (4) to make records available to the Student Senators, Residence Life Staff, BVU students, faculty, administration, and the media.
“My name is Emily Leighton, and I am a sophomore Business major with a concentration in Sports. I have been on senate for almost two years now. I am perfect for the secretary position because I am a friendly person. I am very driven to get the most out of what I am doing and I am willing to work hard. I care about this campus and I would like to see it prosper,” Leighton said.
Vice President nominations include Ashley Lemke and Izaak Plunkett. The Vice President’s duties include: (1) to assume the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence or inability to act, (2) to work with the Events Committee on elections and selection process, (3) to maintain the elections file, and (4) to assist the Student Senate President.
“My name is Ashley Lemke, and I am a sophomore Communication Studies major. I want to be Vice President of Student Senate because I want to represent the student body in a way that hasn’t been achieved before. While I can go on and on promising you all results, we can’t get those results without hard work, determination, and communication. We, as a student body, can make changes on OUR campus if we simply communicate with each other, and that starts with re-vamping our social media and advertising so that all of you know what’s happening and how you can make your voices heard,” Lemke said.
“My name is Izaak Plunkett, I am a Junior Political Science major, and I am running for Vice President of the Student Senate. I have two years of experience in Senate in a number of different areas, including Student Affairs and the Food committee. I have been, and shall continue to be a staunchly straightforward advocate for the student body, and will do all in my power to ensure that your concerns are addressed and dealt with. There is a lot of work to be done next year, and I believe strongly that with your help, I along with your other Student Senate reps can make a positive change here at BVU. I appreciate your input, and ask that you vote for me for Student Senate Vice President,” Plunkett said.
Austin Groth and Carlee Brown are the nominees for Student Senate President. The President’s duties include: (1) to preside at the meetings of the Student Senate, (2) to call special meetings of the Student Senate, (3) to represent the BVU student body, (4) to represent the Student Senate in meetings of the Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees, (5) to appoint Student Senators to committees, (6) to call for special elections, (7) to evaluate Student Senate committees, and (8) to manage the S^3 Initiative.
“My focus as President will be student representation and Senate transparency. It’s important that students’ opinions are heard and that the student body knows what Student Senate is working on. The student body should have more input on policy changes and committee discussions, and I will work to improve the communication between the students and the Senators,” Groth said.
“I have based my entire campaign and hope to continue to base the Student Senate presidency on one word: action. As president, I will not be afraid to speak up and voice my displeasure to administration about things, such as prioritization and tuition increases. I have also used my experience gained from research to create a survey that will be sent out to the student body and to also help with policy drafting and analysis. My main goal for the upcoming year is to continue to reach as many of the students on campus as possible, and to base our Student Senate policy over what the students would like to see,” Brown said.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Hirschman
