Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name, with each name serving as a hyperlink to navigate directly to their respective platforms.

Q&A Questions were asked to President, Vice President, and Treasurer candidates. The questions were the same for each position. You can view each candidate’s response below their respective platform.

You can preview recommended changes to the CSA Constitution here. These changes reflect an update in the CSA’s nondiscrimination policy and updates to language and practices of the CSA.

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Communications Officer

College Council Liaison

2025 Representative

2026 Representative

2027 Representative

President

Jonah Docter-Loeb ’25

Let me begin by telling you a story. This tale is not for the faint of heart, so if you are a first-year I would just close the tab and carefully read each campus announcement email instead.

Our tail begins in a small college in a small town in a minne state. The future of this college was looking dark and muddied. Professors assigned trees worth of reading.

Even the water mains were bursting with tears. Then–one day–everything changed.

Like many small liberal arts colleges, Carleton is flooded by an onslaught of challenges. But if we put our paws together, we could build a better school.

Think of the issue you believe is most pressing. That is also the problem I care most about and I am the only one who knows how to solve it.

How will I do it? One word: Beavers.

  • Polluted lakes on campus? Let beavers build dams and filter out some of the bad stuff.
  • Living in Musser? Let loose a pack of beavers and they’ll build you an even nicer burrow!
  • Still need a date for Date Knight? If you are looking for a faithful foreign lover, the European beaver (Castor Fiber) is the perfect match! Looking for something more casual? The mating habits of the American beaver (Castor Canadensis) make them perfect sneaky link material (Syrůčková et al., 2015).

Just imagine how fun it would be to go to a football game if a rabid beaver was released onto the field to chase players at the end of every inning. Beavers are always the answer.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT BEAVERS FOR ALL!!!

It is hard to be a college student in times like these, and it is high time that the administration recognizes our struggles. That’s why, if elected, each incoming student would receive an emotional support beaver (or pony in Tyler and Grace’s cases). These beavers will teach students important lessons on the responsibility of taking care of a pet and managing their mental health.

Beyond the benefits these beguiling beings bring to students, my emotional support beavers program (ESBP) would boost Carleton to the top of the U.S. News and World Report Student-to-Beaver Ratio Ranking  (surprisingly, it’s a real thing!). As you can see, beavers are the answer to everything.

I wish this was needless to say, but I’ll say it anyway: Please don’t vote for me, vote for a candidate like Kaori who actually has CSA experience and can leverage it to make this school a better place.

Q and A:

Q 1. Imagine a scenario where you might face a significant conflict of interest between what is popular among students and what is best for the college’s long-term interests. How would you navigate this situation, and what factors would guide your decision-making?

A 1. I reject the premise of this question. Did you know that beavers build ecosystems as biologically productive as coral reefs? Or did you know that the fur trade caused the loss of beaver-built wetlands the size of Minnesota? Also, beavers are cute so therefore we should protect them.

Q 2. You stand as the primary representative for all students on campus, a role that requires bridging the gap between diverse student interests and the administration. In situations where there’s a pronounced divide among the student body on major issues, affecting campus unity and your representation, how would you approach reconciling these differences and representing all students fairly?

A 2. I would get a beaver, lay out two pieces of wood on the floor, and label the two options. Whichever tree the beaver chooses is how I would act. That’s real democracy.

Mutlimedia promotional video:

Zach Gordon ’25

Hello everyone,

My name is Zach Gordon, and I am a Junior here at Carleton. My goal as CSA president is to make sure everyone is in a welcoming environment where they can succeed both academically and socially. At such a rigorous academic institution, I hope to bring a balance to our tough day-to-day academic lives and hope to provide more social benefits so everyone can enjoy their time more at Carleton.

Thanks for reading over my platform, and to everyone reading this have a great rest of your term!

Platform

      Enhanced Campus Engagement: Commit to increasing funding for campus-wide events such as Sproncert and Halloween at Cowling, fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus life where every student feels connected and involved.

      Investment in Student Opportunities: Advocate for increased internship funding and startup support, ensuring that students have access to valuable real-world experiences and resources to pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors.

      Career Development and Support: Strengthen the resources and services offered by the career center, providing students with the guidance and support they need to navigate their career paths successfully.

      Financial Empowerment: Fight for higher student wages and paid positions, recognizing the importance of financial stability and student representation in campus job roles.

      Accessible Dining Options: Work towards reducing food prices and expanding cafe hours, making nutritious meals and snacks more affordable and available to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

      Flexibility in Academic Requirements: Advocate for a review of the language requirement, seeking to create a more flexible academic environment that accommodates diverse student needs and aspirations.

Q&A

Q 1. Imagine a scenario where you might face a significant conflict of interest between what is popular among students and what is best for the college’s long-term interests. How would you navigate this situation, and what factors would guide your decision-making?

A 1. In such a situation, I would put the long-term interests of the college first and value the views
and concerns of the student body. Open communication will be key, as I will be seeking input
from students to better understand their perspectives. Finally, I would weigh the potential impact
on the college’s brand, resources, and academic mission before making a decision.

Q 2. You stand as the primary representative for all students on campus, a role that requires bridging the gap between diverse student interests and the administration. In situations where there’s a pronounced divide among the student body on major issues, affecting campus unity and your representation, how would you approach reconciling these differences and representing all students fairly?

A 2. As a key representative of all students, my approach would be to encourage inclusive dialogue
and gain consensus among different perspectives. I will engage actively with student groups,
facilitate meetings for constructive discussion, and recommend participation where possible.
Transparency in decision-making and ensuring that all voices are heard will be critical to
maintaining campus unity and fairly representing students.

Kaori Hirano ’25

I’m Kaori Hirano, a Cognitive Science major running for CSA President. As President, I will work toward increasing access to campus resources for all students, specifically in transportation and wellness. Every student deserves the best possible experience at Carleton. I plan to make realistic changes to Carleton to work towards achieving this goal.

Being on Senate and College Council for the last three years has given me an understanding of student and administrative perspectives on many campus issues. I’ve created my platform based on areas Carleton can improve on based on the experiences many students have had. Many of these changes are not major—nothing in this platform is something I do not believe can be reasonably accomplished. I also plan to provide student input regarding all aspects of the Strategic Plan, especially regarding mental health and the tiered wage system during my time as President. Thank you for reading my platform!

Increasing Access to Transportation

Medical Transportation: In many medical situations, students require more than what Carleton’s limited transportation has to offer. Often, there is no way for students to access medical care unless they know someone with a car. With Northfield hospitals lacking imaging services on weekends, students cannot access vital care because they can’t get to a suitable hospital. For students requiring in-person therapy or specialist appointments outside of Northfield, the only options are Northfield Lines, Uber/Lyft, or finding a student vehicle. Taking Northfield Lines or an Uber/Lyft costs a minimum of $70. Knowing someone with a car is especially difficult for first-year students who likely do not know as many people with on-campus vehicles.

For many Carleton students, these choices are not feasible. Students should not be forced to rely on each other, their professors, or unaffordable services to stay healthy. Expanding transportation options will increase the accessibility of healthcare to all Carleton students. I will advocate for devoting several fleet vehicles to medical transportation. Access to these cars could be distributed by security, who can assist students when experiencing a sudden emergency. For planned medical appointments, fleet vehicles or Carleton-subsidized alternatives should be available. This transportation should be affordable, with students paying nothing or campus fleet-vehicle rates. I will work with OAR and the Dean of Students Office to implement this program.

Increasing Student Wellness

Frosted Windows: As anyone with the good fortune of having class in Anderson 121 knows, the glass windows are distracting. Adding frosted glass sections will allow students to learn more peacefully without the constant eye contact and movement of passersby. I will advocate for applying this to glass walls in the science complex. I’ve discussed this with Jesse Lewis (who manages STEM projects, including Anderson), who will work with me to accomplish this goal.

Wellness Room: Many other colleges have created wellness spaces in their academic buildings. Here are some examples. These offer rooms for meditation, relaxation, or simply a break from studying. I will work to create a wellness room, likely in the Libe, to improve student wellbeing. A wellness room can be simple, with just a quiet space and comfortable lighting, or more complex, with meditation resources, games, and various seating options. Converting a study room in the Libe or one of the existing classrooms are both options for the wellness room. A wellness room offers a great resource for improving student wellbeing.

Increasing Access to Food

Food Accessibility: Many students rely on Sayles and the dining halls for food. Vending machines are the only on-campus resources available when these options are closed. These machines exclusively require real money. I will advocate for the college to create vending machines that operate on dining dollars, allowing students who may be unable to afford outside food or cannot make trips off-campus to access food outside of dining hall hours. Similarly, I will work with SAO to ensure the Carleton Cupboard is well-funded for breaks.

Rec/Goodhue Options: Goodhue and the Lilac Hill townhouses are far from the dining halls, which may be a barrier to accessing meals on certain occasions. I will initiate conversations with the administration about creating grab-and-go vending machines in the Rec and/or the Goodhue superlounge. This initiative will expand access to healthy meal options for students living far from dining halls.

Increasing Student Representation

Senate Reform: Despite CSA being for the students, few know what it does (including students on CSA). CSA is meant to represent students, connect them to resources, and fund their ideas, things we cannot do without doing better at reaching out to students. Anoushka and I have discussed ideas to increase the productiveness of CSA. First, the Vice President will work directly with senators to represent their office or constituents when creating and completing projects. Similarly, we plan to create more opportunities for student representation at CSA. This may include having opportunities for campus organizations to come to CSA, executive team tabling sessions in Sayles, or linking the CSA website on the student gateway.

Why me?

CSA Experience: I’ve been on CSA for the last three years. I’m familiar with what works (and doesn’t), putting me in a great position to implement internal changes. I know what CSA can accomplish and have experience working with campus administration and Senate to achieve my goals.

Campus Government Experience: I have been on College Council for the last three years, where I’ve been part of approving the college budget, housing plans, and other policies. I also have served on the CCF working group, providing student perspectives on the CCF process. From this, I have working relationships with members of the Carleton administrative team.

Leadership Experience: As an OAR Peer Leader, I have been representing student perspectives regarding accessibility for the last two years. I am aware of available campus resources and am able to direct students to those resources. From my Peer Leader position, I have experience working with various campus offices (such OAR, the GSC, and more) to address student concerns.

STEM Experience: As the first STEM major running for President in nearly ten years, I can offer campus governance structures new perspectives. While there is nothing wrong with political science, STEM students have different experiences. Because of this background, I can better represent many majors. I can also bring different perspectives to initiatives in STEM that the campus is looking to expand to the humanities, such as FOCUS.

Q&A

Q 1. Imagine a scenario where you might face a significant conflict of interest between what is popular among students and what is best for the college’s long-term interests. How would you navigate this situation, and what factors would guide your decision-making?

A 1. Unlike college administration, the CSA represents the students. In such a situation, my responsibility is ultimately to the students. I will likely understand the college’s long-term interests but will advocate for the student perspective. I recognize this likely won’t result in a substantial change toward the student perspective; However, I hope the administration is willing to negotiate or make future decisions incorporating student perspectives on the issue.

Q 2. You stand as the primary representative for all students on campus, a role that requires bridging the gap between diverse student interests and the administration. In situations where there’s a pronounced divide among the student body on major issues, affecting campus unity and your representation, how would you approach reconciling these differences and representing all students fairly?

A 2. As a trained dialogue facilitator, I have experience listening impartially to different opinions. I am confident I can represent various student groups to campus administration. If needed, I would work with administration to find ways to facilitate conversation between parts of the student body. I can’t personally resolve differences in student interests. Still, I would be able to bring different perspectives to administration and access resources that can initiate conversations about reconciling these differences.

Vice President

Anoushka Mallik ’25

Hi Everyone!!

My name is Anoushka (she/her) and I’m a junior at Carleton from Brookline, Massachusetts running for Vice President. I am currently one of the 2025 Class Representatives and previously served as the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response (SMPR) liaison to the CSA. I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the campus community and would be excited to continue serving you as your Vice President. I absolutely love meeting new people and building connections, and I can guarantee that listening to you and your concerns at Carleton would be my number one priority.

Initiatives:

  • Collaborating with the community
    • Students at large
      • My number one priority as Vice President would be to ensure consistent communication with students. In addition to hosting office hours where anyone can come and ask questions or provide suggestions to bring forward to the CSA or other relevant groups, I would send short, biweekly update emails to keep students informed on what is occurring within CSA and opportunities for involvement. I know that it can be difficult to keep up with the many long emails that are constantly being sent, so these would be concise updates with the opportunity for students to follow up with questions or comments.
    • Cultural organizations
      • Having been involved with MOSAIC, I know that there are difficulties that arise from working with CSA. Knowing when to provide space and when to step in is hard to know without communicating. For that reason, I would support cultural organizations to understand their needs and create a more inclusive environment on campus.
      • I would also work to increase CSA’s involvement with the Cultural Programming Board which convenes all student cultural organizations. Particularly, I would use my position as a member of CPB to increase opportunities for members to connect with CSA and provide input on initiatives being implemented.
    • Offices on Campus
      • As an SMPR peer educator, I know how hard students work to support their communities through the various offices on campus. I would seek to increase communication between CSA and these offices, in order to support the initiatives they are working on.
  • Internal Senate Reform
    • Kaori and I have discussed plans to increase the efficiency of CSA which would include the Vice President taking an increased role in supporting Class Representatives and other senate members in their projects and goals.
    • We would also work to increase opportunities for students to provide feedback to CSA, including student forums and office hours. It would be a priority for us to have spaces and times specifically dedicated to receiving student feedback.
  • Increase transparency between students and administration
    • I would work to increase transparency regarding support systems at Carleton. Mental health support, whether it be through SHAC, the Dean of Students, or other realms, can be a difficult system to navigate. I would work to increase transparency as to how students can receive academic and emotional support at Carleton.
    • As a CEDI member, I believe that I have strong access to the ongoing work of the VPIEC office and would work to increase CSA’s relationship with the office. I would work, specifically, to increase transparency regarding access to VPIEC office funding as well as the work Carleton is doing to fulfill initiatives signed into the IDE plan.

Campus Engagement:

  • Class of 2025 Representative
    • Worked within the CSA senate and connected with the Class of 2025, hosting office hours and sending out communications regarding CSA ongoings to the class at large.
  • Budget Committee Member
    • Gained an understanding of the financial side of CSA which I would seek to share with students as class representative through managing CSA’s budget and different funds intended for student organizations
  • CEDI Member
    • Gained an understanding of the VPIEC office and the initiatives they are working to implement. Communicated between the VPIEC and CSA in order to determine how the two organizations can work together.
  • SMPR Peer Educator & CSA Liaison
    • Led and created numerous trainings regarding healthy relationships, consent, and boundary-setting
    • Served as the CSA liaison working with the senate, administrative bodies both within and outside of my department, and students at large to share messaging on sexual health at Carleton
  • Budget Committee Member
    • Gained an understanding of the financial side of CSA through managing CSA’s budget and different funds intended for student organizations
  • MOSAIC (of South Asian Interests at Carleton) Board Member
    • Helped plan campus-wide events including Diwali and the upcoming Holi-Purim celebration and cultivated a safe space and community for South Asian students through weekly Chai Times and other social events
    • Gained a unique insight into how cultural organizations are organized as well as individual experiences of students of color on campus
    • Served on the Cultural Programming Board which connects all student cultural organizations

Q&A

Q 1. In Governance Committee, how do you plan on balancing between the several great initiatives which come through the committee each term and deciding which ones are most beneficial/relevant to the campus community?

A 1. I think an important element of this would be an initial understanding of the types of initiatives that students find important. In order to grasp this, I would poll the CSA senate which has access to diverse pockets of campus and offices, as well as students at large, to gauge the various initiatives that are already in practice and ones that are important to them. I would also, certainly, utilize the diversity of committee members in order to understand and determine which initiatives are most beneficial to the campus community at large. Combining these two things will, I believe, provide me with a holistic representation of what matters to students in order to determine the most beneficial initiatives to the campus community.

Q 2. Considering that you will hold a new Chief of Staff style position, how do you envision yourself creating an atmosphere that fosters a collaborative relationship between you and the Senators?

A 2. I believe that the most important element of a collaborative atmosphere is working to develop individual relationships with senators and understand their goals. I would hope to meet with senators in order to understand the projects they hope to pursue, and utilize that to inform agenda-setting at senate meetings. Further, the executive board has a unique ability to work alongside various administrators, including the president, dean of students, and the new VPIEC. Understanding senator goals would also be helpful in informing which administrators may be helpful to have in attendance at various meetings.

Sam Zacks ’25

Hi Carleton, I am Sam Zacks, and I am running for Vice President of the Carleton Student Association (CSA). At the heart of my campaign is a commitment to enhancing the vibrancy of our campus life, and giving a voice to our students. Carleton is not just an institution of higher learning; it is a place where memories are made, futures are forged, and lifelong friendships are born. Together, we can make our college experience even more rewarding and enjoyable.

Enriching Campus Life

  • Boosting Fun and Engagement: Carleton’s unique spirit is fueled by our traditions and campus-wide events. I propose to increase the budget allocation for Sproncert and Rotblatt, ensuring these and other traditions continue to thrive and grow, enriching our college experience and fostering a sense of unity and pride among us all.

Empowering Student Success

  • Higher Student Wages: Recognizing the hard work and contribution of our student employees, I advocate for higher wages, ensuring that all student jobs on campus offer competitive compensation that reflects the value of our contributions and helps alleviate financial stress.
  • Enhancing Career Support: The transition from college to career is a critical phase for every student. I will work to increase funding and resources for the Carleton Career Center, expanding services for job placement, internship opportunities, and career counseling, making sure every student has the support they need to succeed after graduation.
  • Supporting Student Organizations and Clubs: Student organizations and clubs are the backbone of our campus culture. I will push for increased funding and resource allocation, enabling these groups to flourish and provide diverse and enriching experiences for all students.

Improving Campus Facilities

  • Expanding Dining Hall hours and Laundry Services: Convenience and accessibility are key to student well-being. I propose to expand dining hall hours to accommodate varied schedules and increase the number of washing machines and dryers, ensuring these essential services meet the needs of our growing student body.
  • Investing in Athletics: Recognizing the importance of physical health and school spirit, I will advocate for an increase in the athletic budget and the development of new facilities, supporting our athletes and fostering a vibrant sports culture on campus.

Fostering Inclusion and Participation

  • Advancing Diversity and Inclusion: Our strength lies in our diversity. I am committed to promoting initiatives that enhance diversity and inclusion on campus, ensuring every student feels valued, understood, and supported.
  • Amplifying Student Voice: The CSA should reflect the will and interests of its constituents. I aim to increase student involvement in CSA decisions, making our government more transparent, responsive, and inclusive. By giving every student a voice, we can ensure our policies and initiatives truly reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of our student body.

My Commitment to You

My experience and passion for making Carleton a better place for all drive my campaign. I promise to listen, to advocate, and to work tirelessly to bring about the changes we want to see. Together, we can build a more fun, supportive, and inclusive Carleton, where every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Let’s make Carleton even better, together.

Q&A

Q 1. In Governance Committee, how do you plan on balancing between the several great initiatives which come through the committee each term and deciding which ones are most beneficial/relevant to the campus community?

A 1. In the Governance Committee, my approach to balancing the various initiatives will be rooted in a transparent, inclusive, and strategic framework. First, I will prioritize initiatives based on direct feedback from the student body, ensuring that the projects we choose to focus on are those that most align with the students’ current needs and interests. I plan to implement a system for evaluating the potential impact and feasibility of each initiative, considering factors such as relevance to the campus community, potential for long-term benefit, and alignment with our broader goals for inclusivity, engagement, and student welfare. By fostering open dialogue within the committee and with the wider student population, we can make informed decisions that reflect a balanced consideration of all proposals, ensuring that our resources are directed toward initiatives that will have the most meaningful impact on our campus community.

Q 2. Considering that you will hold a new Chief of Staff style position, how do you envision yourself creating an atmosphere that fosters a collaborative relationship between you and the Senators?

A 2. In the Chief of Staff role, creating a collaborative atmosphere with the Senators will be crucial for the effectiveness of the CSA. My strategy involves establishing clear, open lines of communication from the outset, ensuring that all Senators feel heard, valued, and empowered to share their insights and ideas. I envision regular, structured meetings that not only address ongoing projects and operational needs but also include dedicated time for brainstorming and collaborative problem-solving. By actively promoting a culture of respect, mutual support, and shared purpose, we can build a team that thrives on diverse perspectives and collective effort. Additionally, I plan to implement feedback mechanisms that allow Senators to voice their suggestions for improving our collaboration and effectiveness, ensuring that our approach remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of our team and the students we serve.

Treasurer

Jamie Klein ’25

My name is Jamie Klein and I am the current Treasurer of the CSA, which I have been for the last two terms! I’ve learned a lot in my time as Treasurer and have a number of goals for the next year if I were elected to serve again. Here are a few of the major ones below:

Communication with the student body. Most of you have likely already seen my name in your inbox, since for better or worse it is one of the more effective ways of reaching students. I have also been in the process of updating the website. I would like to poll student leaders of organizations to see what aspects of the CSA funding process are unclear and work on adding information on the website if necessary. I hope that in my term and a half of tenure, I have made myself available to organizations who have questions about funding and I would continue this into a new term, improving in any ways that are suggested to me.

Working with OIL and the Cultural Org Programming Board in light of the new Cultural Event Funding Guidelines. As some people may be aware, the Cultural Org Fund will be changing starting this Spring Term. I want to ensure that the CSA honors our commitment to supporting cultural organizations and events, even though the type of funding we provide may look different in the next year. If elected, I will make sure that I am in communication with OIL on how the Budget Committee will be determining cultural events, and ask for guidance. I will also ensure that I am available to listen and talk to cultural org leaders about how to plan for their budget within these new guidelines.

Organizing the CSA Budget. Though it may not impact students on a day-to-day basis, the way the budget is currently submitted into Workday makes it more difficult to track exactly how much is spent from funds that are not specific to organizations. I want to encourage people to use lesser known options such as the Common Meal Fund – which allows orgs to get a meal with faculty and/or alumni – and the Alt-Bev Fund, but I also want to have a better idea of how much these funds are utilized! I have already been in conversation with the Budget Office about how we could add notes and funds to Workday in order to make it easier to track exactly where money is coming and going out of. I believe this work will improve our financial planning and in future years help the CSA to prevent a future deficit.

Overall, I know that I will be able to prioritize students even though much of the work I do is behind the scenes. The CSA is an incredible opportunity for money from students to go directly back into our campus community, and the fact that students have control over where this funding goes means that the top priority of the Treasurer is to reflect the student body and support all of the amazing organizations and events we are able to do here!

Q&A

Q 1. Every year CSA gets more funding requests than we have money to give out. How would you prioritize hosting events while keeping CSA out of a deficit and fiscally responsible?

A 1. My priority would be supporting clubs of all sizes to host events that create community and are directly related to their club’s missions throughout the year. Another aspect of this decision means ensuring that events are benefiting as many students as possible – which does not mean that small organizations get left out! Rather it means that events are a reasonable amount of money per person and that we have a wide variety of the types of events we fund. At the end of the day, clubs and organizations rank higher in my priority because of the community they create than getting a slightly cooler headliner for Sproncert, and my planning would reflect that.

Q 2. Given the fluctuating nature of funding and costs how would you plan for and manage unexpected financial shortfalls or surpluses? Describe a strategic approach that balances flexibility with fiscal responsibility.

A 2. As described above, one of my primary goals is to improve the tracking of CSA funds, which I believe will help the CSA plan our best to be fiscally responsible. Additionally, I would work with the CSA Budget Committee and Senate to set aside an appropriate amount of our rollover money indefinitely so that if we do go over, as we did last fiscal year, that we will have a buffer and will not immediately go into a deficit. I would also hope that with a strict Spring Allocations plan, I can encourage creativity and new ideas from students for things to be funded. The CSA has a long history of supporting campus projects and student ideas and I hope to create an environment where students can continue proposing ideas – such as Cave Fest, which was funded by CSA rollover this year!

Asher Stolberg ’25

Introduction:

Hello Carleton College! My name is Asher Stolberg, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the position of Treasurer. As a psychology major and a proud member of our college’s baseball team, I’ve had the privilege of being part of this vibrant community. Now, I am eager to contribute further by taking on the role of treasurer.

Qualifications:

In addition to my academic pursuits in psychology, I have gained valuable experience in accounting and Excel. These skills have equipped me with a solid foundation in financial management and data analysis, essential for the responsibilities of a treasurer. My dedication to both academics and extracurricular activities reflects my commitment to excellence in all aspects of college life.

Vision for the Treasurer Position:

My vision for the treasurer position is centered on enhancing the student experience by allocating funds to school-wide events that cater to diverse interests. I believe in the power of community and aim to use the treasurer role to bring our student body closer together through memorable and enjoyable events.

Financial Management:

I plan to approach financial management with a focus on collaboration and open communication. By actively engaging with students from various backgrounds and interests, I will ensure that our budget is allocated effectively to support events that resonate with the entire student body. Additionally, my experience with accounting and Excel will enable me to maintain transparency and accountability in financial matters.

Communication and Transparency:

I am committed to fostering open communication with all students. If elected, I will establish channels for feedback and regularly update the student body on the allocation and utilization of funds. Your voices matter, and I want to ensure that every student feels heard and included in the financial decision-making process.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

Being a member of the baseball team has taught me the importance of teamwork. I thrive in collaborative settings and am eager to work closely with other student government members, clubs, and organizations. Together, we can maximize the impact of our financial resources and create a more vibrant and inclusive campus environment.

Innovation and Improvement:

I aspire to bring innovation to the treasurer position. By leveraging my experience and seeking input from students with diverse interests, I aim to introduce fresh ideas that enhance the overall college experience. I am excited about the prospect of serving as your treasurer. With your support, I am confident that we can allocate funds wisely, making our school-wide events more engaging and enjoyable for everyone. I am here to listen, collaborate, and work tirelessly to ensure that the money goes to the right places. Let’s create a memorable and vibrant college experience together! Thank you for considering me for this important role.

Q&A

Q 1. Every year CSA gets more funding requests than we have money to give out. How
would you prioritize hosting events while keeping CSA out of a deficit and fiscally responsible?

A 1. To address the challenge of limited funds and numerous funding requests, I would
implement a transparent and inclusive decision-making process. By engaging with
various student groups and understanding their proposed events, I would prioritize those
with broad appeal and align with the diverse interests of the student body. Additionally, I
would explore creative fundraising opportunities and collaborations with Northfield
businesses to supplement the budget, ensuring that we can host impactful events without
jeopardizing CSA’s financial stability.

Q 2. Given the fluctuating nature of funding and costs, how would you plan for and
manage unexpected financial shortfalls or surpluses? Describe a strategic
approach that balances flexibility with fiscal responsibility.

Q 2. In the face of unexpected financial fluctuations, my approach would involve proactive
planning and a balanced strategy. Firstly, I would establish a contingency fund to address
potential shortfalls, allowing us to maintain key services and commitments. For
surpluses, I would allocate some money towards financial aid, propose a reserve fund for
future projects or emergencies, and use some for an event that students would enjoy.
Emphasizing clear communication and collaboration with student groups, we can adjust
funding allocations dynamically, ensuring flexibility while adhering to responsible
financial management practices.

Communications Officer

George Lefkowicz ’25

Hey Y’all,

My name is George Lefkowicz (he/him/they/them) and I want to be your next Communications Officer for CSA. I am a current junior Political Science major from Atlanta, Georgia. It has been my pleasure sending y’all emails for the past year and would like to continue doing so and build on my work next year. Here is a little more about me along with some of the ideas that I have regarding the Communications Officer position.

Campus engagement/qualifications:

  • I currently play for the Carleton Ultimate Team (CUT) and am the Business Manager for KRLX 88.1 FM (you have probably received an email from me attempting to pedal merch of some kind). Additionally, I am an editor for the Undergraduate Journal of Humanistic Studies (UJHS).

Highlighting Student Organizations:

  • Carleton is home to over 200 different student organizations, most of which directly receive funding and support from CSA every spring. As Communications Officer, I would use the power of CSA to highlight the important events hosted by these organizations.
  • I want to work to find out how interested Carls are in both the CSA Senate and student organizations as a whole. To accomplish this, I intend to survey the student body to find what students are most interested in and how the CSA can better disseminate that information.

Increase Transparency:

  • Every week, CSA makes important decisions that both indirectly and directly impact student life. I want to continue to make the CSA transparent to the student body so students are aware of what is going on in the Senate.
  • In addition to sending campus-wide emails, I want to highlight key CSA decisions and updates regarding Campus projects by highlighting key presenters who come to the CSA Senate meetings and the information that they give.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll vote for me as your CSA Communications Officer!

College Council Liaison

Mia Lorenzo ’27

Hello! I am Mia Lorenzo from the Class of 2027, and I would love to be on Carleton’s Class

Council. As a part of your Class Council, I am determined to cultivate an active and lively Student Body on campus. There is a definite emphasis on Carleton’s academic rigor, which is important. Most students can admit that during our free time, we are either doing assignments or in our dorms. There is a lack of activities and events taking place throughout the campus that aren’t curated by Student Associations. Without these associations, there would not be much to do. However, I believe the CSA is capable of creating fun, non-time-consuming, and beneficial activities for our Student Body that will not only bring us closer together but also teach us to absolutely love the campus. Spring Term is just around the corner. The weather will be warm, and the grass will be green, and I want to bring attention to the beauty our campus contains!

My Experience:

I have been President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Student Body in my High School. I was also the Student Ambassador Captain. I understand what it takes to create a lively and fun environment.

Values:

PLUR. My values are Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. This is a term inspired by the hippie and peace movement as well as the Black and hip-hop culture within New York City in the 90s. This term is a central tenet of international RAVE culture, which I am an avid member of. I value a free-spirited, artistic, intellectual, and fun environment, and within big or small music festivals and raves, PLUR is what keeps the rave community loving and alive. PLUR cultivates a second home for its members where everybody is accepted and celebrated, and we all know that Carleton College is that second home for us. I want to integrate PLUR into our campus and make Spring Term unforgettable.

Studies have proven that “Structural equation models showed that general and verbal intelligence both predict humor production ability” (Gil Greengross and Green Miller).

Goals:

  • Formulate a specific committee to promote and cultivate a fun campus life throughout the entire Spring Term!
  • Create a Food/Product Pantry for students all year around (access to fresh, free produce and school items; more than 200 colleges and universities have established on-campus pantries to serve students)
  • Partnering with cultural student associations to spread and share aspects of student culture with the student body

The following are a few of the activities that I hope to integrate into campus:

  • Midnight/Paint/Mud run
  • Concerts/Events on the Bald Spot (painting, picnics, mini music festivals, body art, hair decorating, flower crowns, school-wide water gun fights, etc.)
  • Bringing Food Trucks to campus
  • Bingo/Casino Raffles
  • Bring back Finals Week Primal Scream
  • Bring back the Silent Disco
  • The Great Carl Bake Off (students, resident building, individual teams, clubs, etc., participate in baking competitions for prizes)
  • Dance Marathons
  • DIY Dorm Decoration Competition (students compete to make their own decor with supplies available on campus)
  • Bed Racing (possible spirit week event where students race each other in modified beds to win First Pick in the Dorm Registration Raffle, inspired by Lehigh University’s Bed Race)
  • As well as create new traditions that future Carls can celebrate and enjoy!

As a Student Body liaison, I understand the responsibilities present within the position. I am more than willing to be the person our fellow Carls come to to address any problems or concerns present on campus. I am prepared and happy to represent the interests of all students to our College Council. I want to improve the student experience within Carleton by emphasizing what college is truly about making memories, developing your character, having fun, and creating amazing stories you can tell your future loved one. The only way we can be fully rounded is through a proper balance between life and work, and I want to offer that balance to our students.

My platform is dedicated to cultivating and promoting a fun, loving, respectful, and happy campus. We Carls are incredibly talented, creative, and intelligent and deserve to be celebrated through various campus events and activities. Our campus will always have something to do, and the student body will become closer than ever. I am determined to have a campus culture we are proud of!

Talia Raich ’27

Hi there! My name is Talia Raich (she/her) and I am running to be College Council Liaison. As your current College Council Liaison, I believe I have the necessary experience and skills to continue advocating for students as a representative on college-wide committees.

Now, you’re probably wondering, what is College Council? Before my first meeting, I had the same question. I see it as the crossroads of representatives from various constituencies of the college (staff, faculty, students, administration, and representatives from committees) who come together to make decisions and share updates. Major college decisions are discussed such as budget, CEDI, strategic direction, and more. I also sit on the college budget committee and advocate for shifts that will benefit students – such as higher student worker wages. To put it simply, I go to CSA Student Senate, College Council, and college budget meetings to advocate and act as a liaison between the three. Since I am now acquainted with the process, I believe I will be able to achieve the goals listed below.

What will I do?

TLDR: increased communication, transportation, PE credits, textbook affordability, pre-orientation, and swings!

Breaking this down:

  • Communication: As the Communications Chairperson of my high school student government, I learned that communication can always be improved. My time on the College Council has helped me realize that every decision is made due to thorough reasoning – we, as students, might not agree with the decision or the process, but it is important to understand why things are the way they are. As liaison, I want to be more accessible. I think CSA should hold more feedback sessions and tabling in Sayles so anyone can ask questions. After major college decisions are made, I will communicate in order to be a resource for venting, discussion, or feedback of any sort and be available in places such as Sayles to chat.
  • Transportation: This category spans from medical appointments to airport transportation, to recreational city use, so buckle up (hah get it). Being 45 minutes from the cities, there is a surprising lack of transportation if you do not have a personal vehicle, which is the case for most students. I understand the purpose of supporting Northfield Lines, but I also believe that Carleton should work to subsidize the costs of going into the cities for recreational or airport reasons. I want to work on a better system when access to the cities is needed for more urgent reasons. While I will advocate for this on an administrative level, I want to create more of a ridesharing system for environmentally friendly and efficient transportation.
  • PE Credits: Some club sports get PE credits, and there are some that don’t. I will advocate for a lower bar for clubs to qualify as a PE applicable club and make the decisions more uniform.
  • Textbook Affordability: There has been a textbook library in the past, and there should be one again. New textbooks can be unaffordable and it would be great if there was a lending system put in place. It doesn’t have to be a physical space, rather I have a vision of a spreadsheet where people can request books they need and other people can lend them.
  • Pre-orientation/ Freshman transition: New Student Week was highly successful in many respects, but there are two areas where I see opportunity for change. Many liberal arts colleges have pre-orientation trips and I would love to help enact a pilot program that makes them a possibility. I envision outdoor trips, community service (CCCE), campus cultural groups, and international student programs (already in existence). After New Student Week there was a direct transition into classes. I think there should still be some aspects of the New Student Week support in the first two weeks of the term. Some Peer Leaders can still work and there could be drop-in hours with them to get support for the transition to school.
  • Swings: There are plenty of outdoor seating areas at Carleton, but a fun addition to campus would be swings!

What have I done?

My most relevant experience is, of course, currently being College Council Liaison. It takes a bit of time to get acquainted with the processes and I believe, having already done that, I will be able to fulfill my goals in the next term.

I am also a member of the mock trial team, rugby, and CSA governance committee, and I currently work at SAO. I am an avid participant in CANOE trips and JSC events! My proudest title, however, is being called the “funny sister” by my 12-year-old sister.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my platform. I promise that I will continue to advocate for all students and make sure we all have a voice. Consider me impressed if you’re reading this sentence right now, you’re the best. Please feel free to contact me at raicht@carleton.edu with any questions, suggestions, or just to say hello!

2025 Representative

Talia Marash ’25

Hello Class of 2025! I’m Talia Marash, and I am excited to run as your class representative for the Carleton Student Association. I hope not only to create open communication surrounding equity issues that are deeply instilled in the foundations of Carleton, but work to effectively address these problems with a student forward approach. As a dedicated member of the Carleton community, I am committed to enhancing our college experience by fostering effective communication and addressing key issues that matter to us. As a member of the athletic community through the volleyball team, a passionate political science major, and civically engaged member of the Northfield community, I hope to bring together many different groups to create the best senior year possible! Together, let’s make our time at Carleton unforgettable!

Core Issues:

Civic Engagement:

  • Voter Registration and Election Day: Collaborate with campus partners to provide voter registration opportunities, increase civic engagement, and advocate for making election day a university holiday.
  • Interaction with Northfield: Establish connections with the Northfield community to enhance our civic engagement beyond campus borders.

Mental Health and Wellness:

  • Mental Health Days:Advocate for professor-granted mental health days to prioritize student well-being.
  • Collaboration with Campus Services: Work closely with campus services such as DOS, SHAC, and OHP to design an action plan for securing more mental health funding and improving services.
  • Safety Measures: Expand streetlamp and lighting locations on campus, and reintroduce the blue light system for enhanced security.
  • Interactions with Security: Create an alternative means of addressing non-violent issues on campus, outside of traditional security, to increase comfort and equity within the intra college justice system.

Flexibility for Students:

  • Increased Options: Advocate for more flexible and affordable meal options for low-income students.
  • Resource Accessibility: Collaborate with campus dining services to ensure that essential resources are accessible to all students, especially during off campus and peak times Transportation Options during Breaks:
  • Enhanced Services: Work towards implementing more transportation options for students during breaks to facilitate travel and accessibility.

Graduation Planning:

  • Financial Planning: Advocate for a higher minimum wage for student jobs to ease financial burdens.
  • Open Conversations: Have more open conversations about financial planning, rentals, graduate school savings, and other necessary financial steps into adulthood. Provide resources so students can take advantage of funding opportunities through Carleton.

Open Communication:

  • Weekly Chat Sessions: Schedule weekly availability in Sayles for casual chats with fellow students.
  • Monthly Newsletter: Create a monthly newsletter addressing concerns and updates relevant to our class.

Fun Initiatives:

  • New York Times Games Inclusion in Subscription: Work on getting New York Times Games added to Carleton’s NYT subscription package to add a fun and intellectually stimulating aspect to our education.
  • Fun end of year events: Work closely with SAO around planning senior week and making sure we make strong memories to finish out the year!

I have the qualifications to get this work done!

  • Strong background in the fundraising and non-profit sector, specifically regarding health related and reproductive justice issues.
  • Student Wellness Associate through the Office of Health Promotion with a strong understanding of student wellness support infrastructure at the college.
  • Member of the athletics community – knows how to get things done, be efficient with time, and effectively communicate.
  • Background in international social issues allows me to have a nuanced understanding of working with different communities through tough issues.

I am passionate about representing our class and ensuring that your voices are heard.

Together, we can create a more engaging, supportive, and enjoyable college experience. Vote for Talia Marash as your Class Representative, and let’s make the Class of 2025’s time at Carleton unforgettable! ROLL KNIGHTS!

2026 Representative

Vivian Agugo ’26

Hey y’all!

My name is  Vivian Agugo (she/her), and I’m from Houston, Texas. It has been an honor to represent the class of 2026 for the first half of our journey at Carleton. Throughout my term in office, I’ve aided in defining the role of class rep, advocated for various matters, and overall presented the various views of our class. I hope to continue to represent everyone in the role of class rep for the upcoming ‘24-25 term!

Campus Involvement/Qualifications:

  • Co-public relations Officer of the African Caribbean Association: As the PR officer of ACA, I create aesthetic posts and manage the ACA social media page (check us out on Instagram @carletonaca). I’ve created and executed various events throughout the year, with our biggest events being Independence Week in the fall and ACA Night in the Spring. In my role, I’ve been motivated to carry out ACA’s mission to promote and display the diverse cultures of African and Caribbean students.
  • OIL Peer leader: Working in the first office to have peer leaders, I work to continue OIL’s mission of fostering a safe space for BIPOC students. In my role as a peer leader, I mentor a cohort of students and provide guidance during their first year here at Carleton. Along with mentorship, I curate programming that best fits the needs and wishes of BIPOC, such as workshops highlighting campus resources. Lastly, I work alongside my amazing OPL team to host OIL events throughout the year, including our famous OIL
  • Class of ‘26 Representative: As a class rep, I have advocated for the increase of CSA’s involvement with the student body by engaging with student orgs. Additionally, I’ve voiced concerns on topics like cultural org funding and campus announcements.

Incentives: ACT!

This upcoming term, I plan to elevate the role of CSA in the Carleton community by focusing on connecting various aspects of our community and prioritizing the voices and needs of all students:

Advocate: Numerous students harbor passionate causes waiting to be greenlit or heard. As a CSA representative, I pledge to advocate these causes across various platforms, from academic offices to administrative forums. Through proactive engagement and unwavering commitment, I aim to amplify student voices and catalyze positive change within our university community.

Connect: At the heart of CSA’s mission is to serve our student body effectively. Understanding the pulse of our student community is essential. To strengthen CSA’s connection with our diverse student body, I propose tailored initiatives to foster meaningful engagement. By bridging this gap, we can ensure that CSA remains responsive and attuned to our students’ evolving needs and aspirations.

Transparency: With transparency as a guiding principle, I am dedicated to advocating for clear, student-centered messaging on crucial topics such as student life updates and financial aid. By prioritizing accessible and understandable communication channels, we aim to ensure that every student feels informed, valued, and empowered in our community.

Overall Goals

  • Host various outreach events, such as office hours or visiting various organizations’ meetings, to connect with students and hear concerns/comments.
  • Collaborate with student organizations to carry out various service projects.
  • Bring back 5-Finger Fridays, a fundraiser event to raise funds for different causes such as Carleton Mutal Aid, Tigray Famine and Crisis Relief Fund, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Fund, and many more causes.
  • Collaborate with different offices (ITS, Financial Aid, etc.) to discuss ways to create accessible communication that will reach all students.
  • Utilize our official Instagram account as an additional platform to promote club organizations and important information regarding student life and host Q&A sessions. Additionally, share more resources and events that serve educational, emotional, and social needs.
  • Utilize the Class of 26 Instagram account to promote Class of 26 endeavors and highlight the accomplishments of our peers in our class.

Rahim Hamid ’26

My name is Rahim Hamid and I would be honored in continuing to serve as the Class Representative for the Class of 2026. Our class year is diverse both in the composition of its constituents and in the problems that we face in terms of academics, mental health and accessibility to necessary resources. It is this diversity in experience and challenges faced that I hope to continue to bring to the administration of Carleton and into the CSA Senate.

Over the past year as Class Rep, I have talked to students and faculty alike about the variety of problems and administrative hurdles that exist to providing solutions and have brought up student concerns directly to administration wherever and whenever I was able to. The particular problems I want to address as your Representative over the next year are as follows:

GREATER ADVOCACY FOR STUDENT WELL-BEING

  • MENTAL HEALTH
    • With the expansion of investment in student mental health with Carleton’s new telehealth counseling program, conversations and feedback from students is necessary now more than ever. Additionally, the release of the OHP Mental Health Survey revealed that approximately 70% of the student body correlates their self-worth to their productivity. While Carleton is an academically rigorous institution, there is always room for improvement in how academic life affects students, particularly those with disabilities or from less privileged backgrounds, and what the administration can do to best support the student body. I will initiate conversations both through the Senate as we invite members of faculty and administration to take feedback about these initiatives and on my own through conversations with students most impacted by these policies.
  • STUDENT WAGES AND WORKER FLEXIBILITY
    • A policy that I have consistently advocated for is more flexibility in the hours that Carleton allows students to work. Students going on OCS who cannot fill hours, international students who are limited to working on campus and students looking for alternative employment often miss out on wages that they may need for their tuition. While Carleton is starting to acknowledge this need through the implementation of Sick Days, the administration can still do much more to accommodate the economic needs of students with on-campus jobs from publicizing available positions to the aforementioned flexibility not currently allowed for in Workday and increasing the student wage to $15/hr.
  • CAMPUS COMMUNITY
    • As part of the Senate, I voted to approve CaveFest this term for $10,000. Given the current reserves of rollover funds, I want to encourage students to pitch their big ideas for events that bring the campus together to the Senate, and encourage CSA to be more present amongst the student body to facilitate this level of increased investment in student activities.

JP Janik ’26

I am JP Janik, and I would be honored to be your c

ADVOCATE FOR CULTURAL CHANGES

  • Events and connectivity o I will advocate for advertising and communication of events. As well as the funding and student input in events.

PRIORITIZE STUDENT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

  • Carleton students deserve the o I will advocate for more resources for students to be able to be aware of their health and how to treat mental illness.
    • I will advocate for the change in nutrition and food at Carleton. As a pre-medical student and an athlete, I understand the importance of nutrition for mood and performance. I believe it is important that there are more options for nutrition. I will advocate for more health education in Carleton.

ADVOCATE FOR THE ACCESSIBILITY OF ALL STUDENTS

  • all students should have the resources when they need for medical emergencies o Many students who have been injured are in need of devices so they may access their classes. I will advocate for the expansion of the accessibility department so these needs can be met regardless of demand.
  • Students who need aid for housing or other resources should receive it o Students who are not able to pay for resources such as housing and food, especially during breaks from school should be provided with aid or assistance.

ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING TO STUDENT ORGS, CLUBS, AND TEAMS

  • Foster Broader Funding and Support of Athletics and Clubs o Athletics and Clubs are an integral part of student life and provide much-needed community and the ability to destress. They also help students develop the ability to work in an organization as a team. In many ways, these organizations form the groups and relationships that are the core of students’ lives at Carleton. That is why I will advocate for further funding to athletics, clubs, and student organizations.
  • Increase Student Input to the Board of Trustees o Students should have a voice in shaping the future of Carleton. I will advocate for more student representation in the shaping of where the economic resources go in Carleton.

MY PLATFORM IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING STUDENT WELL-BEING AND EXPERIENCE AS A STUDENT.

2027 Representative

Yahvi Agarwal ’27

Howdy Folks!

I am Yahvi Agarwal and I am thrilled to run for the position of Class Representative. The main reason I want this role is because I want to be the go-to person and have your back in our class. As your representative, I aim to address concerns and policies that directly impact our academic and social experiences. By actively engaging with my classmates through frequent emails, weekly office hours, and maybe even some class bonding events, I plan to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. As Class

Representative, I would have the opportunity to stay well informed and act as a liaison between my classmates and CSA so that I could work to address these concerns within the framework of CSA.

PRIORITIZING STUDENT WELL-BEING

  • One major concern I aim to tackle is the limited availability at SHAC, especially in urgent situations. It’s frustrating that during times of crisis, they only take you in with an appointment, which doesn’t make sense for unplanned injuries or emergencies. This becomes a significant issue, especially for students without cars, as accessing off-campus services swiftly can be challenging. I’m committed to working towards improving emergency services at SHAC, ensuring that students facing urgent situations can receive prompt and accessible care without unnecessary hurdles. Let’s strive for a system that prioritizes the immediate well-being of students in times of crisis.
  • As I mentioned, being away from home and having to balance academics, social lives, and extracurricular activities can be challenging at times. I want to ensure that our students have the proper health support systems they need in place to navigate these challenges successfully. I want to host class events to promote Mental Health Awareness.

CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

  • As a student hailing from India, I understand firsthand how being far away from home can sometimes leave you feeling a bit disconnected. That’s why I’m passionate about fostering a sense of belonging for international students. I want to organize more events that bring us together – whether it’s cooking and sharing our cultural foods or other activities that celebrate our diverse backgrounds. Creating these spaces not only allows us to share a taste of home but also forms a supportive community that feels like a home away from home. Making our time here richer and more enjoyable by embracing our cultural diversity and making every international student feel a little closer to home.

AMPLIFYING STUDENT VOICES

  • Student input is crucial in shaping our class experience. I will establish regular forums for open discussions, providing a platform for everyone to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Even send out bi-monthly google forms and options to anonymously state their concerns. I will work tirelessly to gain input from our class and try to address their concerns. Even if I am not able to address specific concerns I want to be able to connect my class to the necessary resources.
  • As your Class Representative, I will be a strong advocate for your needs and concerns, ensuring that our collective voice is heard by the CSA. I want to be the voice of the class of 2027 and ensure that our concerns are addressed and we are a part of all the crucial decisions made by the CSA.

Lastly, my main concern would be to get LDC to cook their food longer, so we won’t have to eat raw rice or raw chicken again!

Having served on the student council in high school, I bring valuable experience that directly aligns with the responsibilities of a class representative. During my time on the council, I actively engaged with students, addressed their concerns, allocated funds for various initiatives, and effectively represented the interests of my class. This experience equipped me with the skills to listen to diverse perspectives, navigate through different concerns, and allocate resources efficiently – essential qualities for a successful class representative. My passion for creating positive change, cultivated through my involvement in the student council, drives my commitment to enhancing our college experience.

Let’s work together to make our time at Carleton unforgettable. Vote Yahvi Agarwal for Class Representative, and let’s shape a college experience that truly reflects the diversity and unity of our incredible class!

Ian Chang ’27

Hello, my name is Ian Chang (he/him), and I hail from Dallas, Texas. I spent my childhood in northern New Jersey before relocating to Texas at the age of 12. Four years later, I ventured to Michigan for boarding school education starting my junior year.

In high-school, I was involved in:

Student Council: I helped plan large school events like homecoming and our talent show. I additionally worked with the school’s administration to provide input on new policies.

School Mascot:  This one was pretty fun. I got to suit up in a giant bird costume (our mascot was a crane) when our school hosted open houses for prospective students to greet the new visitors.

Peer2Peer: Peer2Peer is a student-led organization dedicated to fostering conversations about mental health. As a group leader for new residential students, I speerheaded some of these discussions in small cohorts where we talked about the difficulties about adjusting to new environments away from home and hosted mental health-focused events.

On campus, I am a board member of Karl-Pop (we performed at the Lunar New Year event) and active member of Quiz Bowl. I also work in the biology department stockrooms.

What I hope to accomplish:

Meal Swipes: Meal plan reform is needed, especially in regard to meal swipe: our current system restricts us unnecessarily, often leaving us with unused swipes at the end of the week. A change is needed where Bon Appetit allows multiple swipes during a meal period. Nothing is more embarrassing than using a meal equivalency at 3pm and then getting turned away at the door for dinner. Such a move would give students the freedom to eat according to their appetites, and ultimately ensure that they make the most out of their purchased swipes

Communication: I hope to prioritize clear and effective communication. I hope to do this by implementing a biweekly newsletter (not during campus announcements time, don’t worry) to disseminate campus information. I intend to champion transparency by advocating for administration to communicate clearly on key issues.

Things people have said about me (I assume)

“I love my roommate” -my roommate

“Wow, Ian is the funniest, coolest, most kind person I’ve ever met” -all of my friends

“Do the dishes” -my mother*

*was actually said

George Perry ’27

Hello Carleton Class of 2027!

My name is George Perry and I’m a first year student here at Carleton from Western Massachusetts. I would be honored to serve all of you as your next class representative!

For those of you that have already met me you will already know that I love to meet new people and talk about anything and everything. I am ready to hear your thoughts on whatever changes you believe we can make to strengthen our class.

Some ideas that I have include:

  • First Year Socials: I want to meet all of you and I know a lot of you want to meet more people too! I’m hoping to arrange some hot chocolate or ice cream social opportunities for all of us to enjoy. If I am given the opportunity to represent all of you I will send out a form requesting ideas for more socials you want to see!
  • Improving the Laundry System: While I don’t want to promise too much I know all of you (especially Watson people) are sick of waiting for washers and dryers which break far too often. I know there is room for improvement, if we could get the school to invest in more and higher quality machines!
  • First Year Table at LDC: I hope to push for first-year tables in LDC similar to language-interest tables where people looking to meet some new friends can come to eat their meals! I know the introductions have likely slowed down since the first couple of weeks but you never know when you’ll meet your next best friend!
  • Open Communication: My first and foremost concern as your representative is serving as a voice for the class of 2027 as part of the CSA Senate. I will also be available for office hours, individual meetings, and I’ll always be quick to respond to any emails you send me!

For more about me! I love working with the Earth and next summer I’ll be staying on campus to work as an intern on our Student Run Farm. I am also involved in numerous organizations across campus including the CSA Budget Committee, Admissions team, and numerous club sports.

I have plenty of experience in politics. Back in my hometown, I worked on three successful campaigns ranging from the town level to the state level and inspired record voter turnout in my town. I also served as my school’s NHS Community Service Chair as well as part of my high school’s student council.

I am committed to making this school as great for everyone else as it has been for me. Our community is incredible and I love seeing happy faces around wherever I go. My main goal is to keep our class smiling through the (warm?) winters and fight for every 2027 Carl!

India Ratha ’27

Hey everyone, my name is India Ratha and I’m running for class rep this year! I think my background makes me a pretty good candidate to represent you in student government, and I would love to be an intermediary between you (as in the class of 2027) and the CSA. I would also love to hear your suggestions and ideas for improving our experience at Carleton. I have a few ideas of my own, too.

My Background:

Warning: this is going to look a lot like the “extracurricular activities” section on a college app, especially since most of this experience comes from my time in high school, but bear with me. I’m just trying to convince you that I have what it takes to be in a position of leadership here at Carleton. Feel free to skip this section, though, it’s a little bit icky-gross-opposite-of-humble-coded.

  • National Honor Society President – If you had a National Honor Society Chapter at your high school, you probably know what this is. If not, I basically just organized all of the student volunteering and community outreach opportunities at my school. This is one of the two positions I was elected into (the other being Wind Ensemble President, but we’re not getting into that).
  • Red Cross Blood Drive Program Lead – This was a really fun job for me, actually. In this role I reached out to the Red Cross to organize 3 blood drives at my high school, and I managed blood donation sign ups for all of the students. I also created promotional material and advocated for sickle cell awareness, and overall I learned a lot from this experience in terms of communicating with the entire student body. Side note: I feel like the blood drives at Carleton could be advertised a little bit better, don’t you? I’ve missed every one so far and I’m lowkey sad/mad about it.
  • Sounds of Sunday – On paper this one looks really impressive, but I promise it’s not that big of a deal. I took over the Sounds of Sunday program in my senior year, and my whole job was basically organizing student musicians from my high school to perform at local nursing homes. I ended up expanding the organization to encompass all the high schools in my school district, and now it spans the majority of Minnesota. I also received an award from MIT for my work with the program. Ew that felt weird to say, pls don’t judge.

Moving on! Below are some of the things I want to work on if I do get elected:

Rice (and food in general)

  • Let’s talk about our dining halls. It is very much a college cliché to complain about dining hall food no matter where you are, but I feel like there is something that needs to be addressed here: the rice. As an Indian American student (haha ikr my name is India and I’m Indian American? No way?!) having rice with (almost) every meal is kind of a thing. When I first came to Carleton on the admitted students day, the rice consistency was genuinely atrocious (I’m talking half raw and half overcooked mush, all combined into the most horrifying chewing experience), and that honestly nearly became a deciding factor when I was choosing which school to go to. So I think we should put a little work into making our dining hall rice right. The pasta, too. You know what I’m talking about.
  • More generally, I think we need just a little bit more culture in our dining hall meals. No hate on the kitchen staff, it’s so great to see more foods from all over the world represented, but I feel like execution could be just a tiny bit better and overall, the food could be a little more authentic. We could have students that know how to cook these cultural dishes work with kitchen staff to make sure they’re made right (as I’m sure a lot of practical cooking knowledge is lost when all they have to go off of is a recipe on paper). All in all, I miss my family’s Indian food and I want to see some of those dishes here, and I also think food is a great way to share our cultural backgrounds with each other, as differences in meals can arise even between neighboring states (AKA everyone has something unique to share). In summary, I know we already have collaborations with student organizations and a way for students to submit recipes from home, but I hope to continue improving the programs we already have!
  • Finally, I’ve heard a lot of you complaining about the cost of meals here and having to be stuck on the 20 meal dining plan as freshmen, and I completely agree. I would love to have more dining dollars and fewer meal swipes, especially as wasting meal swipes tends to be an issue for me, and, although I don’t know the exact numbers, it sounds like a few of you have calculated the exact cost of each meal swipe and that number doesn’t sound too good. I really don’t like the idea of us having to pay for meal swipes most of us won’t or can’t use, and being unable to switch off of that dining plan just because we’re first-years. I would at least like to get more information about why the system is set up this way, if not initiate discussions about changing this for the future, and I feel like I can definitely do that as your Class Rep.

Graduation requirements

  • This one is a little weird because I’m also just a first-year so I don’t know too much about graduation requirements, but I’m also a premed student looking at a possible double major and planning out my classes absolutely sucks. Having to jam-pack my schedule with STEM classes and labs is great and I absolutely love that stuff, but then I have to find places to put classes that fulfill liberal arts requirements and IT IS A STRUGGLE. I’ve planned out every class I’ll be taking up through my Junior year and I still don’t know how to fit everything I need to do in with what I actually want to do. I’m sure all of you can relate in some way (or you haven’t thought about it yet, in which case you will relate soon I’m sorry (ㅠ‸ㅠ)), so I want to see if there’s any way to work this out in a way that’ll be more beneficial to us and encourage genuine exploration of what Carleton has to offer instead of choosing classes based only on what requirements they fulfill.
  • Sorry for the rant, ahem. Adding on to that, I think it’s great that Carleton doesn’t require us to select a major right away because that allows us to explore our options, but it’s stressful to think about how taking classes now that might not fulfill the requirements of our future majors could negatively impact our later years at Carleton. I think this would be easily remedied by easing the graduation requirements a bit, or maybe getting a list of classes recommended for freshmen that apply to most majors. I know individual majors have recommended first-year classes, but maybe a general STEM list or a humanities list of recommended courses would be helpful for those who haven’t settled on a major yet. Idk, just a thought.
  • One more thing for this section: it might be worth looking into improving academic advising for students during their first two years. Being assigned random advisors can make the process of choosing classes really confusing, especially when your advisor doesn’t know much about the majors/ elds you’re interested in. This puts a lot of pressure on students to reach out to professors they’ve never met before just to figure out what they should be doing to stay on track, so I think the existing advising program could definitely be improved.

Transportation

  • I know, I know, this document is getting long. Thanks for reading up to this point! This is the last thing I promise. We’re freshmen right now, and that means (most of us) can’t have cars on campus. This means getting around town (and out of it) kind of sucks. So I want to reevaluate our options for transportation! Whether that means collecting student input on the North eld Express Route to decide what bus stops might be more helpful or reaching out to the SAO to plan more trips you all might want to go on (first-year only trip/event in Northfield maybe?!?), I’m interested in checking out our options for improving our mobility because I too hate being stuck in my dorm room.
  • I’ve also heard that the President’s Office is working on finding some cheaper transportation options to the Twin Cities for next year, so I’ll make sure to support that project so those of us who can’t/won’t be bringing cars to campus in future years won’t be trapped in Northfield.

And of course, if there’s something else you want addressed feel free to reach out! Hopefully you’ll be able to recognize me from the posters I put up everywhere (those took me literal hours btw), so if you ever see me around campus please come say hi (and/or praise this beautifully put together campaign platform). I’m not running for this position to push an agenda of my own, so I would love to hear from you about what issues you might want fixed at Carleton! See you at the polls question mark? (Idk how voting works lol)