Admissions and Financial Aid Liaison Candidates

Hami Abdi ’17

Hello Carleton!

My name is Hami Abdi. I was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to British Columbia, Canada when I was nine-years old. I am running as an Admission and Financial Aid Committee (AFAC) Liaison in CSA Senate.

Why do I want to run as AFAC?

I am one of the few people at Carleton who relies 100% on Financial Aid. With that being said, you can count on me to impact policies and regulations that will only improve financial aid for everyone. I also understand that those with financial issues are at a disadvantage when it comes to Admissions, and I want to make sure that these people are given the appropriate chance: I was one of these people at a disadvantage when it came to Admissions.

Why do I feel that I am qualified for this position?

While I was applying for financial aid last year as I was applying to colleges, I did everything myself. I went through tons of tax returns, notice of assessments, CSS Profile-related documents, and a bunch of other financial documents. While this was all a nightmare, I am now very familiar with the process. Also, since I am on the CSA Budget Committee, I know a thing or two about the school’s budget.

What will I do if I am elected to the position?

  • Increase transparency of the financial aid process:
    • Right now, we just went through a rather big reform in our financial aid process – abandoning the 85% need-blind admissions policy, and adopting three different metrics known as “guardrails”. While Carletonian did an article on this reformation, it is still not very clear how people relying on financial aid will be impacted. One solution is to update the Student Financial Services home page to accommodate for this recent change, explaining clearly the differences between the previous and current financial aid policy.
  • Push for an increase in the amount of people that receive financial aid:
    • With the new financial aid policy, Carleton is aiming for at least 50% of Carleton student to receive financial aid. I want to push this number higher because Carleton does have the endowment behind it to support this increase, and it should have all the reasons to do so considering the continuous increase in college costs.
  • Push for more middle income students:
    • Carleton wants to have at least 30% of its entering class to be from middle income families. I want to ensure that our financial aid is stable enough to support these middle income students throughout all four years of college, for their addition to campus will increase the diversity of student body and contribute to Stevie P’s Strategic Plan.
  • Acknowledge and help further accommodate adversities college applicants from financially-unstable homes face:
    • Those coming from financially-unstable homes are at a disadvantage once it comes to applying for colleges because they naturally have access to less opportunities. I will fight for these people, and help increase the diversity of our campus.

Thank you for your consideration.

Abhimanyu Lele ’16

Hey everybody! I’m a sophomore Biology major from Bangalore, in South India. I have not been on the CSA previously, but I believe I have the knowledge, experience and ideas to do a solid job as Admissions and Financial Aid Committee Liaison.

Experience

  • Thanks to my rather unusual situation of being an American citizen living abroad rn, navigating the financial aid process at Carleton has been a particularly complex process for me, and so I have a solid base of knowledge about what that involves.
  • I have been an RA for a year, and I am also involved with multiple club sports, as well as the activist community. This has given me the chance to meet a very large and diverse group of people, and let me get a sense of what the student body as a whole might want from the AFAC.
  • I have served on the Academic Standing Committee for two terms, which, in addition to my experience with Reslife, has given me a fair amount of experience with how the college administration works.

Ideas

  • As AFAC liaison, my highest priority would be to ensure that the limitations of our financial aid budget do not adversely affect the socio-economic diversity of the student body.
  • A second priority would be to help the student body better understand the financial aid policy, which, despite the recent “town hall,” remains obscure in several respects.

All in all, I’d be a conscientious and responsible CSA member, willing and able to respond to concerns of the student body, and ensuring that student interest is not neglected on the AFAC.

Community, Equity, Diversity Initiative Liaison Candidates

Madeline Geitz ’17

Hello! My name is Madeline Geitz and I’m running for CEDI Liaison. I am incredibly passionate about issues of campus diversity and as such, am very interested in hearing underrepresented groups’ concerns with the campus climate and the role of student government in addressing these concerns.

In high school, I spent a lot of my time focused on issues of food security, specifically in relation to how community members’ diets were impacted by their socioeconomic status. As such, I worked as secretary of a local hot meals organization, served weekly meals to low-income town residents, organized a program which sent home easy-to-prepare meals with students on the federal free and reduced lunch program, and helped maintain an organic farm which produced vegetables for the school lunch program. At sixteen, I shared my experiences as a young woman born in China but raised in the United States in the published and acclaimed anthology, Shifting Balance Sheets: Women’s Stories of Naturalized Citizenship & Cultural Attachment. I was also especially interested in educational inequalities. During my junior and senior years, I helped run math-based activities in the local elementary schools for low-income students and students of color usually underrepresented in math.

At Carleton, I try to be as involved as possible in the Office for International and Intercultural Life, the Gender and Sexuality Center, and other diversity-related initiatives. During the course of a week, you can find me attending a meeting of the Collective for Women’s Issues and the Carleton Organized Radicals, Activists, and Leftists or talking about the Carleton community at OIIL’s Chili Nights or Wellstone Wednesdays. Recently, my friends and I founded Carleton’s QTPOC group, a group for queer, questioning, and trans students of color that strives to create a space for students to explore the intersections of their gender, racial, sex, class, and national identities. While creating a community of students from diverse backgrounds, QTPOC aims to actively increase the visibility of underrepresented people inside and outside of Carleton. I am particularly interested in the various backgrounds of Carleton students, and how I can be an advocate for a welcoming and accessible Carleton atmosphere for all identities.

Center for Community and Civic Engagement Liaison Candidates

Hannah Nayowith ’16

Dear Carls,

My name is Hannah Nayowith, and I am a sophomore Sociology/Anthropology major. I served on CSA as the CCCE Liaison last winter, and I would love to resume this position again in 2014-2015.

Working in the CCCE has redefined my Carleton experience over the past two years. I volunteer through the Center, I tutor, I am a political organization leader, and I have held CCCE-based work study positions for two years. As the Communications Fellow, I am responsible for publicizing events, updating social media and staying up-to-date on center activities. My position and experience make me a true representative of the CCCE and provides an immediate link to its people, programs, and events. If elected CCCE Liaison, I will continue to vouch for CCCE interests, consult with CCCE students and staff members, and ensure that the Senate stays informed about CCCE proceedings.

Yet my interest in the Senator Liaison position is not just limited to my experience in the CCCE. I am comfortable and willing to work alongside administrators, students, and other groups to help CSA make progress. I am reliable and very responsive to student input. I served on CSA for one short term, but I contributed to two key changes during that time. I worked on a Senate committee to amend the constitution and make the Senate more representative. More importantly, I drafted a proposal and collaborated with Bon Appetit and Fred Rogers to change the 12 meal plan to the 15 for next year.

In sum: I am a dependable, experienced student dedicated to both the CCCE and CSA. I would be honored to serve as the CCCE Liaison once again. 

Thank you for your time, and please vote!

Dylan Wells ’16

My name is Dylan Wells. I am a member of the class of 2016 and a newly declared economics major. On campus I am a member of the Model UN team, an active participant in the Carleton Investment Group, and a special friend to the rugby and theater communities. I hail from the lands of Denver, Colorado and would be very honored if you would elect me as your CCCE Liaison.

I have worked with the Northfield Reads and Counts program under the CCCE for nearly two years now. I am familiar with both the workings of the office and the issues facing those who participate in community engagement at Carleton. I know that transportation is a challenging issue that many students face. The present system has undergone a number of changes of late, many made with relatively little input from those they affect. While these changes have not been problematic, I aim to change the role of students in those changes.  We deserve to have a say and to be informed. Quality feedback and input from the student body require effort on the part of those seeking it, and I aim to put in the work necessary to acquire that feedback. I also aim to provide information to the students involved with the CCCE whenever and however possible. If we as students cannot control decisions, we can at least be informed as to why they were made.

The students of Carleton who choose to aid the community of Northfield deserve to do so with as little bureaucratic interference as possible. Those who seek to better the lives of those around them deserve coordination and efficiency from the mechanisms that facilitate that goodwill. As CCCE Liaison, I aim to give those involved with the CCCE what they deserve in whatever capacity I can.

Sincerely,
Dylan Wells

College Council Liaison Candidates

John Cannon ’15

Dear Students of Carleton,

First off, thank you for reading this, and thank you for participating in CSA. Every student at Carleton is a member of CSA, and I’m running because I think that CSA Senate should do more to represent that fact. Below is, 1. A list of goals I have for 2014-15 and 2. Experiences that have prepared me for a position dedicated to representing your interests.

Goals

  • Increase Student Representation – CSA Senate has the ability to powerfully represent the student body, but I feel does not do enough to use that ability. During the administration’s discussions over reducing Rotblatt last term, the voices of hundreds of alumni were needed to call the administration to preserve this Carleton tradition. As a Senator, I promise to fight for what we hold dear as students.
  • Improve Senate’s Support of Student Associations – CSA should be more than a set of hoops that clubs feel they need to jump through in order to get funding. As a senator, I would propose two initiatives: 1. Senate should publish clearer instructions to help new clubs, and 2. CSA should take more action to understand the evolving needs of student organizations at Carleton. I therefore propose a concise but informative annual survey for club leaders, such that CSA can better serve student organizations on campus.

Leadership Experience

  • Student At Large, Education & Curriculum Committee
    • Represented and argued for Carleton student interests in ECC discussions
    • Surveyed Carleton students to quantitatively convey the view of Carleton students to the ECC
  • CSA Senator, CSA Liaison to the Education & Curriculum Committee 
    • Argued for increased transparency in the Senate student-at-large appointment process and in budget committee appointments
  • Treasurer, Carleton Mental Health Awareness Collective –
    • Helped organize Break the Silence, an event in which Carleton students shared stories about mental health on campus
  • Classroom Teaching Assistant, Introductory Biology –
    • Organized outside of class review sessions
    • Worked one-on-one with students to work on college-level scientific writing

Thank you for taking the time to read this far, seriously, I love Carleton and I believe 2014-2015 can be the best year Carleton has seen in years!

Sincerely,

John Cannon, Class of 2015

Matthew Elfstrand ’17

Dear Carleton Students,

My name is Matthew Elfstrand and I am a freshman from Minneapolis. I am running for the position of College Council Liaison because I want to help make changes at Carleton about issues I care about.

Issues that are important to me:

  • Introducing Reusable Cups in the Dining Halls
  • Going Trayless in the Dining Halls
  • Increasing Gender-Neutral Bathroom Accessibility
  • Getting More and Better Drinking Fountains on Campus
  • Light Pollution Reduction
  • Increased Visibility for Non-Conforming Gender and Sexuality Identities on Campus
  • Increasing the amount of Real Food in the Dining Halls

All of these issues and more are important to me and I know that I am the person who will work hard to see these efforts come to fruition because I am very active in many of these campaigns already.

Thank you for reading!

>Henry Gordon ’15

As candidates are wont to begin these platforms, my name is Henry Gordon, I’m a political science major from Portland, Oregon, and I’m running to represent the Carleton students and CSA Senate on the College Council.

Goals

How are decisions made at Carleton? What is a seemingly simple question often has a very complicated answer. As a College Council Liaison Senator, I will work not only to make sure that those questions are answered effectively, but that the life and experience of Carleton students is made better in the process. This includes:

  • Working with the CSA Senate to make sure that our aims and desires are clear, and articulating them to the College Council. This is a collaborative process, not a confrontational one, and requires the cooperation from all participants. I am always willing to listen and learn, but I am also ready to act.  
  • Advocating for more open dialogues about issues that are important to students. Changes to the print quota, S/CR/NC policy, residential options, and others that directly impact current Carleton students should be widely known before taking effect. Specifically, I will push for more accountability, both on the parts of administrators as well as CSA Senators. 
  • Ensuring that Carleton traditions are strengthened and preserved. This means working with administrators, and through our own budgeting procedures to make sure that all perspectives are considered. 

Qualifications

The College Council Liaison Senator serves two roles, as a student representative to the College Council, as well as a full voting member of the CSA Senate. I believe my past experience makes me qualified to continue representing student interests

  • I served the Carleton students in the past year as your treasurer. In that position, I worked to increase our CSA budget and make more funds available for student projects. I also spent time on the College budget committee, where I learned more about how Carleton as a whole spends its money. The perspectives and connections I bring from both roles will allow me to effectively advocate for students on day one. 
  • As treasurer, I also sat on the Senate, and I understand how the body works, when it is most effective, and where it can be most improved. 
  • I am active in a wide range of activities on campus, each with their own distinctive communities. That has given me a perspective on the wonderful variety and diversity of passions that make Carleton a wonderful place to go to school.

There are many more issues that I hope to work on as a member of the Senate. I am confident that my experience, perspective, and unending desire to improve the campus I love will allow me to serve you, and advocate for your interests.

 

I’m Angely Guevara, a sophomore CAMS major from the SF Bay Area, and I’m running for a position as a College Council Liaison.

The biggest problem I’ve encountered when talking about CSA is the too-often asked, “Well, what does the CSA actually do?” There have been great steps to rectify the knowledge gap here, including CSA office hours, town hall events, and even (finally, woohoo!) updating the facebook page. Earlier this term, the CSA organized an amazing town hall event on financial aid with incredible turn-out. I want more events like this, that let students know that CSA can be a platform for student voices and involvement. In other words, I want students to know not just what CSA does, but what they as students can do with the help of the CSA.

But why College Council?

I’m the kind of person that wants to do everything, but ends up doing nothing because it never feels quite right. The College Council is a group of people from the Carleton community who develop policy when needed on matters outside of curriculum or educational policy. I have a wide range of interests when it comes to improving Carleton, and this position is ideal for talking about and tackling as many growth points as possible.

I also love love love love LOVE hearing what other people have to say about the direction in which this school is going; ya’ll have valid things to contribute and valid opinions and feelings, and Carleton would be nothing if we didn’t stop to listen to each other. So please, consider me a megaphone, and vote for me as one of your College Council Liaisons!

Thanks so much for your time.

Connor Jackson ’15

Hi All,

My name is Connor Jackson; I am a Junior Political Science Major from New Hampshire. In the upcoming election I will be running for the position of College Council. I am involved in the Carleton community as an RA, a member of the cross country and track teams, and a coach with the special olympics program. What’s more, I have served as a class representative for the past two years and, during this time, I have gained valuable experience working with administrators and students alike.

At a glance, the CSA may seem unimportant. Take a closer look, however, and you’ll realize that they allocate $500,000 of your money to clubs and events (think Rotblatt and Spring Concert) each year. If elected to College Council I will put my knowledge and experience to use and ensure your voice is heard. I am someone who deeply loves the Carleton community and is genuinely interested in doing all I can to contribute to our amazing institution. I feel working on College Council would be the ideal way to give back to our college. For these reason, I would greatly appreciate your support in the coming election.

Thank you for your consideration!

Warm wishes,

Connor

Vince Spinner ’15

Hello. My name is Vince Spinner, I am a junior economics major, and I am running for the position of College Council Liaison in order to give students a stronger voice in College decisions. The College Council works on the development of policies in areas having to do with non-educational strategic planning. Decisions coming from this council directly affect the quality of student life on campus. Over the past few years student life and longstanding Carleton traditions have at times been a casualty as the result of administrative decisions. If elected I promise to give a strong voice to the student body on the College Council, and will fight to protect the quality of student life including cherished traditions that have so long been a part of Carleton.

As your College Council liaison I would focus on addressing the following issues that I feel are important to many students on campus:

  1. Increase the availability of Northfield Option
    • Over the past few years, students’ ability to live off campus has steadily decreased. If elected I will work with the Deans Office and Residential life to increase Northfield Option accessibility, so that students can have more flexible options when thinking about where they want to live.
  2. Work to preserve long held Carlton Traditions
    • Over the past few years Carleton has seen an erosion of traditions that are the hallmark of this colleges experience and make this school uniquely Carleton. These include the loss of Dixon and Crack house, as well as more regulations on Rotblatt. If elected I will work to protect these traditions so that students at Carleton can continue to enjoy these important events.
  3. Work to increase enthusiasm and funding for Sports Teams
    • For me, school spirit is a defining aspect of what it means to be a Carl. I feel that like me, many of my fellow Carl’s share a deep sense pride for this school and all that it has to offer. In the past few years I have, however, felt a lack of spirit for Carleton Athletics. Opportunities like homecoming and sports games can be a great time for bonding and promoting a feeling of unity and fidelity on campus. If elected I will work to encourage more active participation on the part of both the student body and administration on activities like pep rallies, homecoming week and sporting events. I will also work to implement long term investment and increased funding for sports teams so they have the necessary equipment to help them play at there best.
  4. Make technology work better for Students
    • While we are very fortunate to have all the technology that we do at Carleton, there are some serious problems that need to be addressed. First I would work to improve the printing quota system for students, such as giving compsing students an increased allocation for the term and exploring alternative options like giving professors printing quotas for each of there classes. I would also work to put printer in dorms that currently do not have them, so that when next winter comes students don’t have to travel so far when printing. Third, I would work to put more laundry machines in dorms like Watson where the lines can become very long.
  5. Other changes I would like to see considered include:
    • Increasing the number of recycling, compost and trashcans around campus.
    • Focus on addressing the concerns of minority groups on campus.
    • Make the option of an exemption from the meal plan for those with allergies or other serious concerns.
    • Petition the College to move the scrunch and late drop deadline back to at least the end of 8th week if not farther so that students can have more information and greater flexibility when considering this option.
    • Work to increase nationwide recognition of Carleton College, so that graduates will have as many opportunities for jobs and further study as possible.

Finally If lucky enough to be elected, I would put a strong emphasis on informing students of important decisions that the administration or senate might be making. And I promise that when a decision by the College has the potential to affect student life, I will get your input. And if you are passionate about seeing a change made in college policy, I will help you fight to make it happen. Thank you for taking the time to read my platform and for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Vince Spinner

Ben Strauss ’16

Dear fellow Carleton students,

I am Ben Strauss, a sophomore Political Science/Cognitive Science double major from Princeton, New Jersey. My interest in running stems from a strong desire to use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from working on two Carleton committees to promote transparency and accountability in campus governance (CSA Senate, College Council, administration, etc.).

Why are transparency and accountability so important to you and me? Accountability means that campus governance considers the student body’s interests and values when making decisions and transparency means students know those decisions, so they can bring about change when necessary.

Here are my three commonsense proposals aimed at promoting these twin values:

  1. A Taskforce Report on Administrative Responsiveness to Student Concerns
    • The College Council has created taskforces on issues as diverse as College speakers and the first year student experience.
    • This taskforce would be the administration holding themselves to account for how they respond to students
  2. An Easy-to-Read Monthly E-mail to Students about Administrative Action
    • The e-mail would inform students in a few minutes about the activities of campus administration so students know about what is happening with administration.
  3. Online Posting of All CSA Senate Campaign Promises and Actions Taken
    • An online post on the CSA website that would place all campaign promises together in an easily accessible page
    • This will give Senators a place to update students about their progress and what challenges they are facing.

I have been working hard the last two years to promote these issues:

  • Secretary, Education and Curriculum Committee:
    • I have seen college committees in action and I have learned about how change occurs at our college.
  • Member, Budget Committee:
    • I have talked with our CSA Senators and worked to promote accountability by developing a student feedback survey for our yearly budget.

I have been dedicated to campus governance and have been present at both CSA Senate and College Council meetings as a student incredibly interested in the issue of accountability. I enjoy discussing the issue of accountability and administrative decision making with students. I care deeply about making Carleton the best place it can be in the eyes of students. If elected, I will hold myself and the campus governance to the highest standard of transparency and accountability.

With respect,

Ben Strauss

Lisa Qiu ’16

Hi, I am a sophomore from New York City majoring in chemistry and I would like to run for the College Council Liaison position. I enjoy listening to people and hope that my ability to be a good listener can help relay any concerns or suggestions that my classmates and peers have regarding campus events, policies, funding, etc. that the CSA and the college council can address. Some ideas that I have include:

  • Discuss the possibility of providing more funding for the Student Health and Counseling center to hire more workers – particularly counselors with the college council board. The SHAC offers great health counseling and support, but does not have enough resources to meet the demands of the student body. If more funds were allocated to the SHAC, students would be able to meet with counselors more frequently and consistently, which is crucial when dealing with any physical or mental issues.
  • Work with academic department chairs to discuss the possibility of more frequent upper level elective classes (perhaps once a year instead of once every two years).
  • Increase the budget for CSA to allocate to large campus events, such as Rotblatt and Spring Concert, and consider new events that students are interested in.
  • Continue to work with Residential Life to slow down the process of eliminating Northfield Option.

Thanks for reading!

Committee on Student Life Liaison Candidates

Hiyanthi Peiris ’15

Hey everyone,

I am a Junior with an unpronounceable name and I love smiling at random people on campus. My name is Hiyanthi Peiris (Class of 2015) and I am running for the position of Committee Liaison for Student Life. I am very enthusiastic about being more involved in the Carleton student body and in the student government.

Student life is an integral part of the college experience for everyone- especially for those who come to Carleton from places far away from campus. Going to campus events like movies, discussions, dances and even floor study breaks makes life at Carleton more enjoyable and helps foster lasting friendships and relationships. While Carleton does a great job of hosting ad promoting a wide variety of campus events, I wish to contribute towards making the student life experience better for all.

Why should you consider voting for me?

  1. As a current RA, I play an active and hands on role in promoting student life, and this puts me in an ideal position to communicate the needs of the student population to the CSA.
  2. As the current CSA Senator for Committee on Student Life, I have experience in working with student government and representing the student body and voicing their needs.
  3. I will work hard towards ensuring that cultural and racial diversity is promoted, as this is an important part of student life. As an international student, I am in an ideal position to promote diversity through the organization of campus events that appreciate and foster cultural awareness and diversity.
  4. I will work towards bridging the gap between CSA and the student body– as a program director for Kids for Conservation (2013), organization leader for Mosaic of South Asian Interests at Carleton (2013), Head of Organizing Committee for International Festival in 2013, student employee of the Alumni Annual Fund (2011-2013) and a current Resident Assistant among other activities and interests, I am quite involved in campus life. A common concern I have heard voiced by students from diverse groups is that there is a lack of communication between the CSA and the student body. Organization leaders are unsure of the budgeting process, students are unsure of how the CSA works or how they can be more involved, and this is something that I wish to work towards rectifying. We are already involved in resolving this through CSA tabling and making the Facebook CSA page more active.
  5. I will ensure that there are more opportunities for intercollegiate bonding/ activities. We all know how Carleton sometimes feels like a bubble. If elected, I will make sure that there are more opportunities for us to interact with students from other nearby colleges- mostly St. Olaf.
  6. Student life, in my opinion, is not limited to life at Carleton and Northfield. If elected, I will work towards providing more information about opportunities outside of Carleton: I will work towards raising awareness about opportunities that exist outside the Carleton bubble, such as study abroad programs, internship and job opportunities and post college opportunities, by working with the Career Center.

Thank you for reading my platform. Please email me if you have any concerns or require more information about my platform and other specific issues. Have a wonderful day!

Yours truly,

Hiyanthi Peiris

Environmental Advisory Committee Liaison Candidates

Jake Kramer ’15

Hey Carleton,

My name is Jake Kramer and I am an Economics major/European Studies concentrator in the class of 2015. I would love to serve as your Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Liaison for the 2014-2015 school year, because I am not only passionate about the environment, but also possess the experiences and qualifications to serve in this capacity. 

I’ve always been inspired by our natural world. Growing up, I can remember spending almost every weekend with my father down in the marshes along the Chesapeake Bay, swimming and fishing. To further satisfy our itch for the outdoors, we used to mountaineer in the La Sals, and snowshoe across parts of Lake Champlain. Before coming to college, I also had the good fortune of structuring my passion for the environment through extra-curricular activities.

I took part in building and designing a community garden and community gardening program in high school that still thrives to this day, largely because of the youth programs I helped to implement. I was also a driving force behind my high school’s participation in the Green Cup Challenge, a national competition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which we won in 2009.

Since coming to Carleton, I have been committed to sustainability through my academics and living habits. As an Econ major, I’ve decided to further my studies in the subfield of natural resources, which has given me considerable insight into numerous eco-friendly programs and policies that are also economically efficient. Personally, I hold myself up to strict standards of sustainability by taking short showers, using natural light, recycling and composting regularly – the small things.

As an editor for both The Carl and The Lens, I am also familiar with implementing strategies that will better meet organizational objectives. This includes finding sources of funding, shaping each organization’s mission and character, and marketing them in an appealing manner. As your EAC Liaison, I will not only be able to find new ways of “greening” Carleton, but will also be able to carry through on whatever goals the EAC, CSA, and the broader Carleton community agree on.

On account of my job last summer, I am also fortunate to have connections with a number of green tech startups based out of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The individuals associated with these firms are not only passionate about the environment, but are also eager to share their resources and immense knowledge base. A number of these folks would also be interested in speaking with the Carleton community about implementing eco-friendly practices, as well as how we can innovate and improve upon the “sustainable status quo.” This means not only installing low-flush toilets or less wasteful lighting, but also how we can improve upon and become conscious of sustainability in our own lives.

I’ve also thought quite a bit about the creative component of this role, and have come up with a few ideas for next year:

  • Reducing the eutrophication process in the Lyman Lakes through (a) cleaning them up, and (b) working with local agricultural interests to reduce nitrogen runoff into waterways flowing through campus and, ultimately, the lakes
  • Turning off lights on residence hall floors during non-peak hours
  • Adding more composting and recycling stations outside of buildings across campus

Some of these ideas are ambitious, some not so much. But I believe a healthy mixture of fairly significant projects and others that can be accomplished swiftly and easily will make the Environmental Advisory Committee stronger and a more potent force on campus. The only thing that’s necessary is the motivation and wherewithal to carry through on its objectives, and that’s exactly why I want to serve as your 2014-2015 Environmental Advisory Committee Liaison.

Thanks so much, and stay green, Carleton.

Jake Kramer

Sam Neubauer ’17

Hello folks!

This is Sam Neubauer and I’m a potential Environmental Studies major from the class of 2017, who is heavily engaged in environmental justice organizing. An active member of Climate Justice Coalition and SOPE, I also work actively with students from many other organizations. I hope to bring this broad knowledge of environmental work on campus to the Environmental Advisory Committee, which is why I am running for the Environmental Advisory Committee Liason.

I have been to the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) many times and am familiar with the process they use, which would help me to serve on the committee. Furthermore I have many ideas about how to strengthen campus environmental activism, which is an important piece of making real change. I hope that the EAC can help support the work of students seeking to make change on and off campus.

I hope that I can represent students well in this liason position for the Environmental Advisory Committee. Thanks much,

Sam Neubauer

Education and Curriculum Committee Liaison Candidates

Vincent DeZutti ’16

I am Vincent DeZutti and I am a sophomore Cinema and Media Studies major running for Education and Curriculum Committee Liaison. Every single student at Carleton is affected by the education and curriculum policy, but I do not think every student knows that they can affect change in the policy themselves. As the ECC liaison I would actively work to represent student interests in the ECC and work with CSA on issues of education and curriculum as well. I would also make sure the students know that they have a voice in how they are educated at Carleton.

Here are some places I hope to affect change:

  • Course Requirements
    • I’ve noticed course requirements can be quite inconsistent at Carleton. I’ve had classes the fulfilled the WR2 which had 1-2 papers totaling just over 10 pages, while other classes not fulfilling the requirement had double the amount of writing. Courses need to properly list the requirements they fulfill so that students can get credit for their work and so students can see what kind of class they may be enrolling in. A standard guideline for professors on what kind of topics and coursework applies to what requirements could help standardize what requirements are fulfilled by different classes across different academic departments.
  • Experimental College
    • Looking back at previous CSA platforms, I saw that the idea of introducing an “Experimental College” at Carleton where students can teach classes that don’t fit in with the rest of the college’s current curriculum. These student led classes would be for credit. Currently, students can teach PE classes (most PEs are 0 credit, but offer PE credit) as well as no-credit classes like FemSex, MSex, and Trans*Sex. In an Experimental College, students (both the instructors and students in the class) could receive some amount of credit for courses like these.
  • Reopening the Night Class Discussion
    • Last year, a survey about night classes was circulated to students. I would like to find the results of the survey and relay the information to students.
  • Internship Credit
    • Very recently, the ECC and the Career Center worked together to develop a new way for students to receive credit for internships. Students can receive 1-credit for an internship, as long as they complete a reflective independent study on campus. I think this is a step in the right direction, but it seems silly that students who have already put tons of work into applying and doing work as an unpaid intern should have to complete extra work just for 1-credit. It would make sense to offer more credit as well as eliminate the reflective requirement, instead simply requiring the internship description and confirmation from someone at the company of completion of the internship.
  • Class times: Lab Sciences and CAMS
    • Most classes at Carleton meet for roughly 3.5 hours a week, however, Lab Science courses require up to 7.5 hours. As a more artistically inclined person currently taking a Geology course, I question why Geology deserves so much more of my time than other classes at Carleton. Of course, labs are an important part of many science courses. I think many students would benefit from classes more courses like Astronomy: lab courses that don’t have a weekly lab. Classes like these would allow more non-science oriented students to more happily fulfill their lab requirements.

I also would like to look into how the production courses in the CAMS department can be reworked to better serve students. The courses are currently held in the standard class times with no extra lab period (although Digital Foundations has some outside information sessions that are somewhat optional). I’ve heard many professors bemoan the lack of class time in CAMS production courses. It would be to the advantage of both students and professors to offer CAMS production courses that operate on the Studio Art schedule. Alternatively, CAMS production courses could offer a weekly lab period to cover the extra material that professors struggle to get to in class as well as give students more time to learn and experiment with the technology used in classes like these.

I hope that my ideas and opinions will change and expand as the ECC Liaison as I get a better understanding of what is possible for me to do as a liaison. I’m also excited to serve on the CSA itself, representing student interests at CSA meetings and on subcommittees.

Harrison Reeder ’15

Hello,

My name is Harrison Reeder, I am a junior Math/Statistics major, and I am excited to be running for CSA Senate Education and Curriculum Committee Liaison. Last year I presented before the ECC body to support the creation of an American Music concentration, and through that experience I came to recognize the vital importance of this body in defining the structures that shape our Carleton educations.

Every student’s Carleton experience is unique, but we all share a desire to learn and receive the most fulfilling education possible. As ECC liaison, I would commit to supporting and improving the Carleton education by listening and responding to the needs of students, who are keenly aware of the support and structures that they require.

A few areas that I have already heard input from faculty and my peers are the following:

  • Small Concentrations and Majors
    • I’ve spoken with many students who are in smaller or interdisciplinary majors (such as Women’s and Gender Studies or American Studies, for example) who have found frustration with the structure and lack of central support for interdisciplinary majors. This is a complex challenge connected to faculty availability and cooperation between departments, but is an important consideration to sustain our diverse major opportunities.
    • A related concern is the long term sustainability of very small concentrations: there are several concentrations servicing very few students that still require considerable administrative support. I would eagerly help the committee find curricular solutions that keep opportunities for students to pursue their interests, while also reducing administrative burdens to the college.
  • Credits for unpaid summer internships
    • As a Career Advisor in the Career Center, I’ve seen many students find a great internship that required college credit, but were limited by Carleton’s policy not to give credit for internship experiences. This policy is in the process of being changed, and I would commit to ensure that that update is done with care and to genuinely support experiential learning opportunities for Carleton students.

These are just a few areas where I see potential to make major contribution to the improvement of Carleton’s learning environment, and I am also delighted to hear and act on the ideas of my peers. Thank you for your support!

Michael Wheatman ’15

I am running for election to the Education and Curriculum Committee liaison position because I believe the students of Carleton College have a imperative to take charge of our own education and ensure that college policy is focused on our current and future success. As students, we are guided in our academic pursuits by the decisions voted upon in the Education and Curriculum Committee. Thus, I believe that the ECC should take the feelings of the student body into greater consideration when making official decision.

I’m going to tell you a true story of the ECC’s actions over the past year. Hopefully, like me, you will be frustrated and hope to see change. I was, and that’s why I’m running to represent the students and make sure this doesn’t ever happen again.

Last fall, there was a decision to consider adding a night classes section to the academic schedule. Students were invited to offer input at open discussion sections and via a large survey that was sent to students. I attended one of the open discussions, where I noticed unanimous opposition to the motion. Additionally, the survey displayed similar near-complete student opposition to night classes. However, even with the understanding that student’s were overwhelmingly opposed, the Education and Curriculum Committee voted to allow night classes in certain circumstances. 

Now, regardless of how you currently feel about night classes, this example clearly shows that the current ECC does not represent the student body or even consider our opinions.

In regards to my previous leadership experience at Carleton, I currently serve as the treasurer to the Bridge Club, and have served as Director or Assistant Director to many of the theatrical productions that have been performed in the past couple years. While I don’t have a ton of experience with student government, I think that as a relative outsider, I can bring a fresh viewpoint to an organization that surely needs it.

As your representative, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the students’ voices are not only heard, but also considered in educational decisions at this college.

Gender and Sexuality Center Liaison Candidates

Will Sheffer ’15

Hi, my name is Will Sheffer and I’m a junior Art History major, a current GSCA, and I am running for the newly formed GSCA position.

I hope to represent the GSC as it has been a crucial part of my Carleton experience. I have experienced the space and its programs from the perspective of an interested student, an RA, and now as a current worker. Each experience has contributed has added a different lens to my vision of the GSC.

In terms of Senate experience, I have served for two terms now as the Senate Liaison to the Community, Equity, and Diversity Initiative. My terms of experience have allowed me to gain a better understanding of how Senate works. I helped with the projects like the creation of new liaisons and most recently with a new CSA logo. Through my working knowledge of the CSA Senate, I hope to represent the GSC to the best of my ability.

In the coming year, I hope to increase communication between the CSA Senate and the GSC especially as the GSC transitions between directors. With increased communication, I hope to develop a cooperation between the two entities and develop pathways so the two can continue to help each other in the future.

To wrap up, you should consider me for your vote because of my intimate knowledge of the GSC, previous Senate experience, and my goals of establishing the GSC’s voice on the CSA Senate floor.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  

Information and Technology Services Liaison Candidates

Nayely Martinez ’16

Hey guys!

My name is Nayely Martinez and I am hoping to become your new ITS liaison for next year. I am a Computer Science/International Relations major in the class of 2016 and have worked at ITS for two years under several of its different subdivisions, including:

  • the ITS Helpdesk, as a general student worker handling the “public face” of ITS
  • the Student Drop-Off Center (DOC), as a worker handling basic software and hardware repair and where I will be taking over as manager next year
  • Assistive Technology, as an AzTech managing Carleton’s text-to-speech/speech-to-text software and general academic and technological resources on campus, particularly for students with physical or learning disabilities

Reason:

Through conversations with staff at ITS, I believe that there is a real need to improve the communication between ITS and the student body population. The ITS Helpdesk, which is the main tech support center for students on campus, is a relatively new service. It joined together the previous IT service for faculty/staff (Rapid Response) and the IT service specifically for students (SCIC). Since then, there has been an active attempt to maintain the same level of support provided to students as there was before the two services were merged, which is why we need a student mediator between ITS and the student population at Carleton. 

Additionally, Janet Scannell, the new CTO of Carleton’s ITS, has been in the process of developing the new ITS Strategic Plan for the past 11 months, which involves gathering data and feedback on Carleton’s ITS infrastructure, policies, and areas of improvement. This is a key moment for broadening Carleton’s technological services, and I believe that if there’s an ideal time to gather direct student input and communicate with Janet and ITS about the needs and wants of Carleton students, this would be it.

Goals:

  1. My first goal is to establish an active, working relationship with Janet, in order to create the type of direct student communication that has not been present.
  2. My second goal is to gather direct student input and feedback about the additional types of technological services and support they would like to see Carleton offer to students. Whether this includes additional campus wifi connectivity, additional student laptop support, student software discounts, or changes to the Hub/Moodle, I believe it is crucial to get students’ voices heard in the ITS offices and establish a direct working contact point between ITS and Carleton students.

I love ITS and have huge amounts of warm, fuzzy feelings of attachment to it, and am committed to making it as student-friendly and welcoming as possible. The ITS liaison role is a new one, and I hope that you will choose to help me create an open, direct connection between Carleton ITS and the students that it serves. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Nayely Martinez ’16

Ibrahim S. Rabbani ’16

I am a sophomore Computer Science and Economics major from Lahore, Pakistan. I am interested in computers, politics, music and soccer. I want to run for the position of ITS Liaison because I want to make ITS more accessible to all students on campus. Below is a list of my goals and qualifications.

Goals:

  • Increasing accessibility to ITS and all it has to offer to the student body. I think ITS has a lot more to offer than most Carleton students are aware of. This includes the free hardware and software support and troubleshooting provided at the help desk, the campus drives and the availability of Reason CMS, which allows clubs and faculty the opportunity to make their own website in the campus domain and servers
  • I will be looking to forward to making ITS more inclusive and responsive to the input provided by and the requirements of the student body. To this end, I am looking to extend initiatives such as the ITS Town Hall that will be held this week
  • I will also be looking to increase the visibility of the employment opportunities for students with ITS on campus. The first step towards this is creating a public ITS mailing list, which sends out weekly emails.

Qualifications:

  • As the IT Engineer of KRLX, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with ITS and use a wide variety of the services it provides such as hosting web servers on the campus network
  • Being a part of the J Street U leadership team, I have worked with ITS in using Reason CMS and learning how to build club websites on campus
  • As the president of my high school student government, I had the responsibility to act as liaison between a student body of over a thousand individuals and the administration. I was also responsible for budgeting events, leading independent student initiatives and managing inter-club collaboration
  • As the captain of the Pakistan National Debate Team, I gained invaluable leadership experience and learned how to work well in a team. I also developed excellent communication skills and learned how to create coherent and convincing arguments

Please feel free to email me if you want to discuss my platform or if you have any questions!