Winter 2011 Platforms – Carleton Student Association

President

Isaac Hodes ’12

My name is Isaac Hodes, and I am running for CSA President.

I am a junior Mathematics major, and I’ve been involved in the CSA since freshmen year. Currently I am the Vice President of the CSA, which means I co-chair the Budget Committee, chair the Governance Committee, exchange countless emails trying to help people out, and work on some of my projects, addressed below. I’ve been a Senator, a Budget Committee member, and intimately involved with other various CSA and College Committees. I love learning about this campus, and I want to make it easier for others to find their way around it (just last year I was on a Committee whose goal was to map out the various Committees on campus). I have been on Senate for three years now; I would like to continue.

What I’ve recently done:

Started the process of renovating Sayles. The process for building a new student union is well underway, with the Committee on Student Life having regular meetings discussing what students need in a new Sayles (expect hearing more about this soon), a consultant coming in from California to guide the discussion and process, and the President aware of the Committee’s goal to have this included in the upcoming Strategic Planning. This is happening.
Worked with Web Services to get the textbook exchange website up. We plan on advertising this more as the term comes to a close, and hopefully this will see more use in the coming years.
Revising and rewriting the bylaws to make them clearer and more useful. I’ve spent countless hours rewriting the bylaws to make it easier and less stressful for people requesting funds from the Budget Committee. This process continues, and I’ve solicited opinions from a number of students on how to make this better and less stressful; it’s getting there.
Working with faculty, administration and students to invest money for the future. We’re talking about potentially investing a sum of money in the school’s endowment, so that we can begin to have a constant income from more than the Student Activity Fee, washing machines, and vending machines. This way we don’t have to raise our fees, and we can do more in the future.

What I will do:

As the president I will be representing the students interests on College Council; something I’ve done ex-officio before, and something I do on the College’s Budget Committee currently. I will also do my best to facilitate good work on the Senate; it shouldn’t be hard to get what students want to be heard and to be implemented.

I will continue working to have Sayles renovated, to ensure that students who cannot afford to pay two-hundred thousand dollars to come to Carleton can still come to Carleton, to make sure that organizations can put on fantastic events and enable their members to have great experiences. Most of all, I will make sure to be there for you; to hear your concerns and to act on them. I think that many of you may have contact me already, and I hope that I could help then; I want to keep helping.

As President, my primary purpose is to be there to speak with students and bring their concerns, ideas, and suggestions to the ears that need to hear them. That is my goal, and my promise.

Vice President

Yasin Dara ’13

My fellow Carleton students,

My name is Yasin Dara. I am a sophomore Computer Science/Chemistry double major from India/Minnesota/North Dakota (you pick) and I am writing to ask you to vote for me for CSA Vice President.

Goals:

One of the most important responsibilities of the CSA Senate is to allocate the about $400,000 raised through the student activity fee to various student groups for events, conferences, etc. Where does the money go? I will enact various reforms to ensure that your money is spent efficiently and effectively. As Vice President, I will focus on reforming this facet of the CSA Senate duties and updating it to take advantage of advances in technology.

Most students neither know nor have the time to pore through pages of meeting minutes to find out who is receiving funding and how much. I will make this information accessible to students and CSA Senators by creating a searchable online database of all CSA Senate allocations.
Are organizations spending the money we give them wisely? Did the 300 students they promised would attend their event actually show? I will require all organizations that receive funding to fill out a debriefing form after their event, detailing how the event went, how many students attended, and any suggestions for future organizers.
Are organizations requesting funding to purchase things other organizations already have but no longer need? If a student organization goes away, what happens to everything we bought for it? I will also work with student organizations to conduct a comprehensive inventory of what student groups currently have to avoid redundancies and save money for more great events and ideas.

Experience:

Reading past platforms, it seems that candidates for CSA Senate often promise grandiose technological improvements here at Carleton: campus-wide wireless, a printer for Goodhue (general printing reform), overhaul of The Hub. Judging by the perennial appearance of these platform policies, Carleton should be a veritable technological paradise.

However, for whatever reason these well intentioned former candidates have failed time and again to deliver on their campaign promises. While I commend these students for identifying problems around campus that need fixing and am ready to take up their standard, I do not believe my proposed reforms will suffer a similar fate.

I have the necessary experience both with computing and Carleton computing in particular to see these policies through.

Desktop System Administrator: I actually build application packages for the 1000+ computers on campus. For example, I proposed that we introduce Google Chrome on both the Mac and Windows side as the standard internet browser, which was approved and will be implemented. Do you want Carleton to start using a particular expensive piece of software? I am the right person to talk to.
The Hub Time Entry: I proposed and overhauled the Work Study platform on The Hub to allow students to completely automate the process, allowing you log your hours once at the beginning of the term and then to edit your hours from time to time when need be. This system involved over 30 hours of development, and is currently pending approval from ITS administrators.
Wireless Coverage: I have already approached the head of Student Computing with a written proposal to improve campus wide wireless, with emphasis on dorms. This proposal is currently pending approval.
SCIC DOCS Worker: I fix your computer…for free.
Experienced Webmaster: Redesign CSA site to facilitate student input into Senate deliberations and decision making process.
UofM Computer Science Instructor: I teach Introductory Computer Science
Database Developer: I have worked on several database projects. I redesigned a University of Minnesota student records database containing over 1,000 active students and graduates using both FileMaker Pro and Microsoft Access.
Vice President of Student Council (reelected 2 times) at Al-Amal School.

I look forward to working with all of you to use technology and common sense to improve Carleton.

Treasurer

Andria Hall ’13

My name is Andria Hall and I would love to contribute to Carleton by being your CSA treasurer for next term. I am a sophomore, intended math major, and I am from far away in Lakeville, MN (the town with the movie theater).

Related experience:

Budget Committee Member
Employee at the Carleton bookstore, and Bookstore Committee Member
Active member of the CSA and Carleton community

I am running for treasurer because I would like to play a greater role in helping decide where student funds are allocated. It is important to me that the $231 dollar fee we pay each year for student activities is spent in a way that benefits us all.

As treasurer I would be in charge of the Treasurer’s Discretionary Fund/Alt-Bev Fund to provide funding for food/beverages that would not ordinarily be funded, as well as the Third Center fund designed to provide funding for faculty and students to engage in social events. I would also help allocate funds from the Green Fund. Many people aren’t currently aware that groups may request an additional 20% of the budget for food in order to make their event more “green”, and I believe this fund should be utilized to full potential.

Objectives:

Reform the Budget Committee request form to explicitly ask all necessary questions up front to save time for groups and committee members
Pre-brief groups about the process as they wait for their turn to present in front of Budget Committee in order to minimize confusion and make meetings less stressful for you
Make groups aware of the Diversity Initiative, Honoraria, Green, and Cap Reserves funds so we can allocate funds appropriately
Use my love for finance and organization to keep a detailed comprehensive database for all requests
Ensure that your money goes as far as possible by creating reliable, concrete guidelines for funding so we can maximize the number of awesome events and clubs we can support each term

I am eager to play a greater part in CSA & contribute back to Carleton; I encourage you to vote for me for your new treasurer!

Class of 2012 Representative (2)

Gracie Ogilby ’12

Gracie Ogilby for Class of 2012 Representative

Three reasons to vote for Gracie:

Fair – I will hear everyone out, regardless of whether you want the keys to the chapel roof or funding for a jazzercise club.
Interested in your interests – If you want funding for a jazzercise club I will do my absolute best to get it for you and work towards all your goals.
Plays well with others – no unnecessary pounding of tables, furious flying spit globs, or general unreasonableness.

My name is Gracie Ogilby. I’m a junior Political Science Major and I’m excited to be running to be one of your 2012 Class representatives. I’m outgoing, approachable, dedicated, and have the leadership experience to realize your ideas to make Carleton better for everyone.

Experience:

I haven’t worked with CSA before, but I think my newness is a good thing rather than a bad thing. I have a new perspective and new ideas to bring to CSA from the different organizations I’m a part of.

I’ve held many leadership positions at Carleton, and I understand the challenges that come with trying to organize and fund club and IM sports teams, academic teams and volunteer groups. As an RA for the past 2 years I’ve learned about the different resources available to Carls, and I’ve worked constantly to utilize them to improve the quality of student life inside and outside dorms.

Goals:

Improved Transparency– It’s difficult for the average Carleton student to know what’s actually going on in CSA meetings and how they can effect CSA decisions. As your class representative, I would work to expand CSA’s transparency by bringing CSA to you more often during study breaks, in e-mail updates, and by tabling in Sayles.
Increased Student Input- There are so many great ideas floating around campus! I’ve heard many students describe how they would like printing stations in all dorms, or to increase weekend dining hall hours, or to put air conditioning units in houses. Carleton needs student advocates to implement these great ideas, and I promise to encourage and champion these and other initiatives if elected.
Intercollegiate communication – Improving communication between CSA and other Minnesota student governments is important because it’s how good ideas spread. As your class representative I would reach out to other student governments and find out what’s successful on other campuses.

Thank you for considering my platform. Vote Gracie for CSA 2012 Class Rep!

Carleton is an awesome place. As class of 2012 representative I vow to do my part to keep it that way. I see the Carleton student body as a collection of open minded, fun-loving, and conscientious individuals who want to pursue their interests while respecting the wishes of others. As such, I am willing to fight for a diverse range of interests. I am pro-sustainability, pro-diversity, and most importantly pro-YOU.

As class of 2012 representative I would be proactive in listening to the concerns of my classmates and would be for nearly any initiative that you think would make your experience at Carleton more comfortable or enriching. I will not make a bunch of grandiose campaign promises. My main aim is to be a reasonable voice out to protect the interests of the Carleton student body.

Mark Skoglund ’12

About me:

My name is Mark Skoglund and I am a junior chemistry major. I am currently involved in the following groups/activities:

Rotblatt Crew (I help to plan and organize Rotblatt)
Vice President of the Carleton Fisheries Association
Farmer/Assistant Brewmaster for Three Oaks Brewery
Captain of the football team

Ben Somogyi ’12

Hi, my name is Ben Somogyi and I’m running for class of 2012 representative. If elected to be your representative, here are some of the issues that I will work on:

Extend wireless to Northfield Option houses.
Opening the snack bar earlier on Sunday mornings.
A computer charger rental program in the library.
Working with the class of 2012 to hear your ideas and make your dreams come true.

Thank you!
Best,
Ben

Class of 2013 Representative (2)

Ned Heckman ’13

Hey Y’all!
It’s that time again. Elections! I can’t even believe it. I am excited to tell you all that I have decided to run for Class of 2013 representative again!!!! Woo! I have been on senate since fall term Freshman year, and I am really excited to continue my work on that body. Looking for more reasons to vote for me? Here are some things that I really hope to get accomplished:

I hope to keep representing the class of 2013 on CSA, and working with my co-representative to plan some 2013 pride events. Sweatpants anyone?!?!!
I want to keep attending dining board meetings so I can learn more about bon appetit.
I want to continue working with Dan Bergeson to create a 16 meal plan option that is more cost-effective and flexible for students.
I want to keep trying to get finals on Sunday morning.
I will work with ITS to finally get that goodhue printer
I promise to keep writing funny, informative and concise emails to keep my constituency informed.
I will also include a youtube video in every email that will make you laugh.
I promise to keep it classy, Carleton. And really, what else matters?

Thanks so much for your support. For real, it has been a blast representing you all on CSA, and I really hope you allow me the continued opportunity to do so.
Love you all!
Ned

Travis Nordgaard ’13

Hey Carleton Sophomores, my name is Travis Nordgaard, and I’m asking for the opportunity to represent you as your class representative in the CSA.

This is a glimpse into the change I would like to see here at Carleton…

Improving Carleton’s Prestige and Visibility

Carleton is a premier liberal arts college, and it’s a darn shame that more people don’t know about just how fantastic this establishment is. That’s right, the glory of our beloved Alma matter is at stake! Carleton, its faculty, alumni, and students should be doing everything we can to improve our visibility and prestige across geographies, and disciplines. This means a greater emphasis on growing our endowment, increasing our applicant pool, making a commitment to recruit and retain hard-working, creative, culturally and ethnically diverse, brilliant, talented students to come here to study, regardless of financial needs. One way to improve our notoriety, at least in the short term could include enlisting big name speakers in academia, government, business, and science to visit our campus.

Improving Post-Graduate placement/advising

Having trouble discovering that ideal summer research position, landing that competitive internship, or exploring the possibility of a fellowship? Me too! Sure the career center offers some advice on certain opportunities, but there is undoubtedly room for improvement. Our futures depend on the connections and skills we develop here during our undergraduate years, and our college should focus on exposing us to exciting, interesting, and meaningful opportunities on and off campus.

Improving Campus Facilities

We’re lucky here at Carleton to have such an awesome campus with ornate historic buildings and modern lab facilities. However, there remains much to be improved. It’s no secret that we have a few buildings on campus that could be considered eyesores…cough, Musser, Meyers…, and that Ole’s brag about how much more attractive their campus is…. Carleton should take steps to improve the aesthetic quality, and the functionality of our buildings both inside and out. This means a careful review into the proposed Sayles renovation, expanded wireless coverage, greater printing possibilities around campus, and above all a desire to improve our campus should remain within the consciousness of our college’s leaders.

Improving Cuisine Options and Quality

One of the most common complaints I hear at Carleton is regarding our dining options, and why shouldn’t it be? Often we are subjected to the same bland food choices, and provided with little flexibility on alternative plan and pricing options. We need to do better. Look for example at Bowdoin College, a college similar in size and quality to Carleton. Their dining services are ranked as one of the best in the country. Why can’t that be us? Another example can be found just across the river at St. Olaf. Even though we use the same food company, Bon Apetit, the food at Olaf is ranked top ten in the country, and we’re not even close. HOW CAN THIS BE??

Creating a Grand New Event

Building on the great traditions of Mai-Fett, Rotblatt, Mid-winter ball, and Spring Concert, I am convinced that we as a college community can collectively create a new, exciting, ridiculously fun, college-sponsored, campus-wide activity that will be something of legend. I’m open to any and all suggestions, but something epic must result!

Improved Olaf relations

Sure, we’re academically superior to our homogeneous Scandinavian neighbors, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t kick back and have a little fun with our peers from the other side of the Cannon every once in a while. Greater mingling and cooperation with our Olaf counterparts could result in some new, interesting, fun social events, such as dances, concerts, and other large-scale events only possible with a larger combined student population. Cooperation and collaboration with St. Olaf is an untapped resource that could result in some great opportunities for Carleton students.

Improved Communication from Class Representatives and the CSA

The CSA must do a better job of communicating messages about events, budgeting, and announcements to its constituents. Any and all options must be on the table— Including continuing traditional means, creating new venues, and enhancing existing forms of communication. An updated, interactive web page could provide a clearer, more efficient source of information, in addition to improved direct emails to constituents containing concise, pertinent information.

Now I concede, many of these suggestions listed are perhaps a bit unrealistic, far- fetched, and above all improbably implemented by a CSA senator. I am by no means promising to accomplish these ambitions as a senator, or even suggesting that the CSA has the authority to accomplish these goals. I will however, promise you that if elected I will do everything in my capacity as Senator to work towards a better Carleton with these goals in mind.

Give me the chance to represent you and your interests, and I will vow to give it my all to learn the CSA process, illicit and listen to your concerns and interests, and work diligently in order to implement them.

Keep it real Carleton,
Travis Nordgaard for 2013 CSA Class Rep

Andy Zweber ’13

Qualifications/Experience:

As a student worker in the registrar’s office, I have a great understanding of the processes of drop/add, S/CR/NC, petitioning, credits, graduation requirements, etc. Not only do I know the rules and procedures, but I also am aware of the common problems/conflicts with these policies.
As a member of the Judicial Hearing Board, I am well educated in the policies which Carleton students are asked to abide by and the possible updates/revisions of these policies.
Being a member on the football team, I can help to represent the views of the student-athletes on campus.

Plans:

The fencing on the Lyman Lakes islands: these islands have been fenced off for almost a year now. These fences make that part of campus look awful, not to mention prevents students from enjoying them. I would like to see these fences removed for spring term.
Meal plan needs to be restructured: I believe the prices and quality in the dining hall are a problem. Whether this means having two different food services on campus (as opposed to Bon Appetite providing food in both Burton and LDC) or granting students on the meal plan the 15% Schiller discount. The difference in total dollar amount between the 20 meal plan and the 12 doesn’t make sense. I believe either the quality needs to be improved or the prices need to be lower.
More student involvement I believe the voting for the headliner band at spring concert is a great example of how CSA can get more student involvement. I would like to see this style of decision-making more often, along with other means to get the student-body involved in the CSA’s decision making.

Class of 2014 Representative (2)

Noah Carnahan ’14

Hi, my name is Noah Carnahan and I’m running for class of 2014 representative. I’m from Montpelier, Vermont. My objectives as class representative will be as follows:

Promote sustainability in the Carleton College community
- Continue the discussion regarding “trayless Tuesdays”
- Expand the composting program to more bathrooms and living spaces
Represent the will of the class of 2014
- Actively engage our class in discussion of pertinent Senate issues
- Ensure that underrepresented voices get their opinions heard
Increased visibility of Senate on campus
- Senate does great work that few Carls know about. I would work hard to improve the publicity of Senate so that all students can take advantage of its resources.

I hope I can count on your vote!

Elijah Mae Christensen ’14

What up Carleton?! My name is Elijah Mae Christensen. I’m a freshman from NorCal running for class representative. Here at Carleton I have played field hockey and lacrosse, in addition to playing for Myers IM teams like Dodgeball and Broomball. Back in my high school days I was Captain of my Softball team, Class Representative, President of the Spanish National Honor Society, and represented my high school in the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC.

Here’s what’s on my mind:

Improved Club and Varsity Sports: I want athletics at Carleton to play a more important role in student life. I believe athletes (of the club or varsity type) are an important part of the school since they represent Carleton on a more competitive basis. Carleton athletics need better funding, more interested students, and a more positive campus image.

Improved Mean Plans: Right now students have the option for the 20 or the 12 meal plan. But if you do the math the 12 meal plan costs way more. If you subtract the number of dining dollars from the cost of board (1710 – (75[20 meals] or 275 [12 meals]) then divide by the number of meals in a term, the average cost of a meal on the 20 meal plan is $8.18, with the 12 meal plan it is $11.95. Assuming both meals should be equal, the 12 meal plan should cost $1056.60 versus $1710. This seems unfair.

Working Wi-Fi System: It frustrates me that Wi-Fi only works on some parts of the halls. For example Wi-Fi works great on the side of Myers facing Evans, however on the other side Ethernet cables are strung all over the rooms just so emails, the Hub, and Moodle can be accessed. Wi-Fi should be better throughout the halls.

Printers in all dorms: Just for convenience printers should be in all the dorms. There is no reason students should have to walk to the Libe, CMC, Sayles, or Cassat in the middle of the night through frigid temperatures.

More student body polls: Student body polls would help CSA know what the students want. Since it is the students’ fees and tuition which makes up the money CSA uses, it seems only fair that CSA knows what the students would like.

Matthew Fitzgerald ’14

Fellow classmates,

Upon further review I have revised my platform so as to add a bit of clarity.

My intent in running is to jump into CSA whole-heartedly and to learn fast. In doing so I hope to act as your liaison for the class of 2014, increasing awareness of CSA action, and invest a sincere effort in seeing your concerns addressed.

In a previous life, I was a member of student government and in my senior year served as the Student Body President. During my time I reduced spending in our budget by $3,000, negotiated contacts, increased attendance at student events and served as a board member at my high school. All of these experiences can be helpful if I am given the chance to serve.

I could echo the calls for printers in halls, speedier high speed internet (that also works) and better dinning food, but regardless of my election I feel that Senate will be able to act on these issues. I agree that these concerns do need to be addressed (and would do so if elected), but instead I will take this opportunity to offer some of my own ideas:

Redesign “ The Hub” to make a user-friendly site rather and a dinosaur that is cumbersome to operate.
Develop a webpage for each individual class so as to host an open forum and CSA news.
Initiate a “Comfort Cold” program. This program would help out students feeling under weather.

Whether tissues, cold medicine or a can of soup; I envision a potential delivery system that would bring comfort to Carls with colds on campus.

A senator’s job is often dull and monotonous, but I can promise to bring a work ethic, passion, a sense of humor and a willingness to work with the class of 2014.

I would appreciate your support this election. Thank you.
Matthew Fitzgerald ‘ 14

Zachary Levonian ’14

I am not a witch. I’m Zachary Levonian, and I am asking you to vote for me as the Class of 2014 Representative in the CSA Senate. I am you!

As freshman, we are one of the least represented groups on campus in the organizations that will directly effect our next four years here at Carleton. This is our first opportunity to represent ourselves strongly in the CSA, and we need reliable and assertive candidates to advocate for our class. We in the Class of 2014 have a diverse range of perspectives, and I will work hard to synthesize our unique interests and desires. As your Senator, I will be dependent on your ideas and your support to create real change here at Carleton. I am not afraid to fight rationally and powerfully for the changes that will help our class and the whole student body.

My policy objectives:

Printers in every dorm (especially Goodhue)!
Renovations to the Cave will offer the East side of campus an improved location to get food, and it would be great to use Dining Dollars there.
Cost-effective and useful sustainability initiatives, like new water-saving washers and dryers
Toasters in hall kitchens
Expanded and cheaper storage for bikes and other items
Culinary improvements in and out of the dining halls

But these aren’t just my objectives. These are your objectives. And there is always room on the list for more.

It is critical that our class representatives have integrity. I truly believe that I will serve well as a Senator, with your support, and I look forward to the opportunity to work together for an always-improving Carleton.

Vote for integrity. Vote for Carleton. Vote for Zachary Levonian.