Posted on 04/19/2002 8:51:57 AM PDT by kanaell
LOL! I'm getting a headache here. Let's see...
1) I have not been asked about my position on abortion, although a select few students are aware I'm pro-life from statements I've made in class previously.
2) Yes, Columbia does hand out free condoms to students (ain't liberal schools wonderful?) Most students don't bother to take them and they sit in the plastic containers at the Student Activities Office all day. Since no student bothered to support them or insist that I do, I will probably eliminate this "service" if elected and still be fulfilling my campaign pledge.
3) Despite our rapidly growing size, we have no student health center. In fact, we don't even have a campus nurse. I have been asked about this and I responded that I would support the idea of having a full time nurse on campus, along with my idea of having a full-time campus minister. On the other hand, I also made it clear that this would not be possible until we cut most of the pork from the college budget and force the adminstration to stop wasting money on cushy stuff for themselves (like our college President's new $1.35 million campus "residence" for himself)
On Monday, the votes were tallied and someone from the office of Student Life emailed me to let me know I had won a student senator at-large seat. Today, the results were published in the school paper and my victory was confirmed! As of the time of this writing, I am senator-elect of Columbia College, the largest fine & performing arts school in the midwest. I will be representing the interests of approximately 9,500 students on campus. The constitution was ratified at our initial meeting today (vote of 26-0 in favor) and I will be officially sworn in next Tues. afternoon.
There are some vacancies, we have to have an SGA of 38 students. As one of five "at large" students that represent the entire student body, we have to finsh in the top of five in a field of twelve candidates. I finished second. Columbia college now has a strong conservative freeper voice to speak out on the issues affecting students on campus.
I have already been nominated by a fellow student for the position as President of the SGA (we pick four executive officers amongst themselves), but I am a major underdog and will probably lose to the preppy front-runner. (Besides, if I was SGA President I probably wouldn't have any time for freepin') However, my nomination is a stepping stone to the position I really want, Secretary of the SGA, so I can be spokesman for the student concerns of Columbia College Chicago. I also hope to become chairman of one the committees, probably Public Relations or Student Facilities. We will operate very much like the US Congress or any legislative body does, and serve as a liaison between students and college administration officials.
One of my first tasks as SGA Senator-at large will to push for a student's bill of rights (right to freedom of worship on campus, free speech, etc.) and term limits for all the major college administration positions (including SGA officers). I also am working on a petition drive with other students to pressure the Illinois General Assembly NOT to cut MAP grants (given to college students based on academic need and lack of funds), but rather to cut their pork projects and bureaucratic perks. If any freepers are from Illinois, feel free to freepmail me on this issue.
Wish me luck!
We will operate very much like the US Congress or any legislative body does
Please don't. Hold yourselves to a higher standard of ethical behavior. I've seen SGA get mired in politics-- and student leaders bail, when they got a better offer later in the semester. Good luck.
lfs
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