The Mac Weekly:MCSG Election Overview

The Mac Weekly asked candidates for the MCSG Executive Board and the Programming Board Chair positions to use this space to tell us who they are, why they are running for office, and what they will bring to Macalester student government. Their responses follow.

President

Cate McDonough '05

Major: Political Science

ISSUE 1: I want the administration to not scrap J-Term. According to an MCSG survey conducted this spring, 70% of students oppose shortening J-Term. As President, I would pressure the administration on your behalf to keep J-Term available to students.

ISSUE 2: I want students to decide who speaks at graduation. Currently, the student speaker is selected by a committee made up of faculty, staff, and students. It's our graduation and we should be able to choose our speaker based on our own preferences, not arbitrary understandings of academic performance.

ISSUE 3: I want students to be more involved in the Tenure Process. During the past school year, I worked with a committee to create a new system of representation beginning this Spring within departments that will allow students to contribute their opinions to every step of the process. But the hard work remains. The new system won't mean anything if we don't implement it effectively. Last year, you demanded that MCSG address the tenure issue, and we have. Now we need your support to finish the job.

ISSUE 4: I want international students to not pay $750 towards summer credits! Why are we placing such stress on a group of students who are practically required by circumstance to stay during the summer? As president, I would work to end this fee and make summer projects more feasible for international and domestic students alike.

ISSUE 5: Multiculturalism at Mac must improve. As President, I would work with the Admissions office to acquire funding to hire an Associate Director of Admissions devoted to multicultural recruitment. I would also work towards a partnership between the student orgs, MCSG, the Program Board, and the new Department of Multicultural Life to ensure that multiculturalism, in all its facets, penetrates every level of life at Macalester.

Simone King '04

Majors: Political Science, Economics

Did you know about the plans to 'reduce and eliminate international recruiting in South America and Asia' or that 'we have reluctantly had to drop publications promoting the science programs and athletics?' (03/04 budget proposal).

Why are there so many uncontested positions in MCSG? How much did you hear about elections? Why was there an email sent by MCSG to a select few encouraging them to apply as opposed to encouraging the entire student body?

The next year is a vital time for the college. Through significant budget cuts we will encounter the effects of this year's deficit (ex. J-term and the Scottish Fair). Fortunately, it is also a time with much potential for change, room for a fresh perspective and a chance for integration. For these reasons, we must continue to ensure priorities are not compromised. This is why we must fight for:

Transparency!: Students must be informed of the structure of MCSG and what is going on within it. We must have input in the budget process and a clear understanding of our rights and due process. We have to ensure that cuts do not disrupt the identity, mission, and character of Macalester.

Participation!: This is the time to ensure that students remain the main objective of this college. We have the opportunity to work with the new college president, make her aware of the issues affecting us, and how we together can work towards mutually desirable solutions.

Commitment!: We must remain committed to the things that work. Let's start with J-term. By shortening J-term, we would inhibit the Mac experience and ultimately damage the college's image to both current and future students as an innovative and academically rigorous college that prepares its students to be civicly engaged individuals.

Vice-President

Damion Rhudd '04

Majors: Economics and Computer Science

Through many troubles toils and cares I have already come? t'was your support that lead me on this far and it will lead me home.

Hi, I am a highly motivated junior from Seaview Gardens (Kingston), Jamaica majoring in Economics/Computer Science and am currently in pursuit of the Vice President's position in our Student Government Executive body. Whew, that was a mouth full! Ok, enough of the formalities.

Even though I am running unopposed, I do believe that I am the best person for the job! I have been a member of student government since my sophomore year and have seen our Student Government evolve from being a "piggy bank" to running out of money in that "piggy bank" and now to being an effective voice of student representation. It has been a tremendous journey for us as an organization but it is our many successes and potential for even further growth that now prompts me to press on and keep waving the MCSG banner high throughout our corridors and halls, in every office, on every field and sidewalk.

Vote for me and let me help you to make your student government more accountable to you! I am exceedingly committed to the achievement and effectiveness of our student government and I believe that the MCSG voice is really only as strong as the students who it represents. Therefore, your vote for me will mean that you will be continuously questioned and surveyed about your views, I will hold focus groups when necessary, your legislative body will be more familiar and effective to and for you, and you will be more informed about each issue that affects you in the slightest way before decisions are made. But most importantly, I will strive to eliminate the apparent Macalester tradition of analysis paralysis (aim, aim, aim, aim, aim? no shoot!), instead, you can expect me to gather your views and act on your behalf which will be closer to shooting rather than just aiming. Vote Damion for VP on April 16th .

Erik Morales '04

(Write-In)

Major: Sociology and Urban Studies

Growing up in Southeast Los Angeles defines/builds character. I soon found myself fighting for civil rights,organizing around unions, and questioning authority at every step to insure equality. There are many issues on this campus that need resolving and I fear that student government has not yet been informed. I was lured here under the premise of multiculturalism and soon found myself creating and sustaining it. All cultural organizations need to be given recognition for the efforts they are undertaking. From recruitment, promoting, supporting, retention, representing, etc. they are all in a vicarious position on this campus that is erroneous. Clearly, this needs to change. I support a session where the cultural organizations should define themselves and where they, not anyone else, decide what type of institutional support is needed. I also support the appointment of a multicultural admissions officer to solely target students of color since we have known for a long time that the numbers are dropping and can?t retain current overworked staff.

I plan to build MCSG's strength by being open to the Macalester community. I am tired of hearing story after story about misunderstandings that occur on campus. Although most of my experience is with the burden of the cultural organizations, I hear the

voices of political groups and athletics as well. I question why, in my time here, have these not already been resolved? With my limited time left, this is my last effort to help our community. Please "Fill me in" and check out www.macalester.edu/~emorales.

Academic Affairs Committee (AAC)

Colleen Stockmann '05

Majors: Art and Communications Studies

I feel very strongly that students input is crucial to the hiring and tenure process. Students should have greater agency in the decision making processes that effect how and what they learn. I am committed to making the effort to involve more of the student body in the democratic process. I think it is a responsibility of MCSG to seek out student input. I want to facilitate the understanding that students can play an active role not only in determining their course of study, but also in influencing the decisions made by the administration.

Financial Advisory Committee (FAC)

Yongho Kim '05

Major: Philosophy

My name is Yongho Kim. I am a sophomore from Temuco, Chile, where I have attended an affluent high school and a rural church with high levels of poverty. I have joined a real construction crew, mixed asphalt, and helped carry a toilette reservoir eight feet tall.

I have taken five philosophy courses, and plan on taking four more. When I was very little, barely about the height of your knees, I dreamt of becoming a detective later when I grew over your shoulders. I have recalled this dream to cause even more depression on those friends of mine who haven't yet declared a major. I sing at the Festival Chorale, and you're welcome to come in to our Saturday concert.

You've seen me work at the Front desk of the Campus Center for two years. I've corrected your Spanish papers (which includes a Senior Seminar) and proposed better ways of phrasing "La idea de comer manjares me excita divinamente." I feel I do belong to South America from a geopolitical standpoint, and I don't care what Anderson says. If you're moved by it and your actions reflect it, it is real. I work for ¡Adelante!.

One Friday night I cried at Café Mac for the staff people wanted to kick me out just because I was two minutes late and "I hadn't slipped my card in." I have no background at all with Economics, except one little survey course six years ago. If you want to see how a non-econ major organizes and gets a team of people to carefully work on financial planning for each one of your organizations, give me your vote.

Hashaam Sheikh '06

Major: Economics & Finance with Pre-Law Program

Minor: Statistics

As FAC chair I would love to talk to the representatives of the organizations regarding the issues they face and to help them with the budget allocations. I believe that FAC cannot work efficiently if it consisted of representatives who worked for their own goals and not for the goals of organizations. Therefore, after working one year with the student organizations as FAC officer I came to the conclusion that some improvements need to be made in FAC in order to make it serve the students even better. My program includes the following points a) all the student organization members should be allowed to have their say in the organization budget b) the amount of money allocated to the organizations will not be based on what they have been getting from the past years c) the new budget policy will have a major consent of the students of Macalester.. elect someone who will ask what you need, work with you to resolve problems that come up and find the best to achieve that goal. I am Hashaam Sheikh and I am running for FAC chair on April 16. I come to MSCG with a ferocious optimism, a relentless zeal and a vaulting desire to attain a position of prominence. I envision myself as someone who will add greater versatility and enhance its cosmopolitan atmosphere. My genius blending with those of many other like me—keen, avid, ambitious—together we will make a difference. I too am looking towards the stars. Together we shall traverse this heavenly path to excellence.

I am working for Merrill Lynch as Financial Advisor Internee and thus have been dealing with the budget allocations and feasibility reports of major industrial sector of the United States. In this capacity I have learned a lot from the people working in the top investment banks of the world and I would like to utilize my knowledge in giving a new look to the FAC chair with new techniques to improve the efficiency of the FAC committee.

I was the member of the FAC committee which finished the budget allocation in the record possible time ever with maximum possible allocations to the Organizations.
I was the President and FAC Chair of Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan Student Government.
I was the captain of the team which was chosen to represent Pakistan at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. My team won the Junior Summit Conference at MIT for writing a detail report on the drive against child labor in Pakistan and the economic consequences of terrorism on the business of the local industries.
Declared the top candidate of Asia/Europe by Cambridge University, UK in GCE Accounting & Business Studies.

David Jonas '06

My name is David Jonas and I am running for Macalester's FAC, as the cliché goes. I am not too sure what it stands for, but I think the F stands for financial. As is my understanding of the position, the person who holds such a seat is given the opportunity to assist Macalester in its financial expenditures. I see such a position as a wonderful opportunity to make sure, as a first-year, the Class of 2006 is able to use our school's money in the best way possible. Here are my priorities:

Keep the level of financial aid at the highest possible.
Not spend said financial aid on five tons of Cadbury Crème Eggs
Make sure no departments, faculty, or staff are removed unless it is under the gravest of financial circumstances.
Overestimate my power in such a menial and tokenistic position.
Bring the Scottish Fair back

through new fundraising and allocation programs.
Insert witty joke here.

I can make few promises as to what I will achieve as FAC. I am assuming I will lose, much as Goliath assumed he was going to lose to David. However, I can promise I will do whatever I can to make Macalester fiscally responsible until we get through our collective money woes. As for interesting things about myself, I find kicking puppies and teasing babies with candy my favorite pastime activities. I guess I'm going to be poli-sci major, but only because for some reason I can't major in minoring. I also find the color blue offensive.

Tobias Pforr '06 also is running for FAC chair.

Student Services Committee Chair (SSC)

Tyler Samples '06

Major: Undeclared

1. I don't have any specific issues I'm running on for the same reason that I'm running for this position. I want to be the guy who helps people get their issues solved, rather than the guy who creates his own issues and then bothers the rest of the campus with them for the year. I don't like bothering. I like helping. So I guess that's my platform: "Less bothering! More Helping!"

"Helping" is capitalized to show its importance.

2. What I can do to build the strength of MCSG is just to be available. Again, less bothering, more Helping.

3. I want the next Mac president to be someone with raging passions. Not abusive raging, more like romance novel raging. I don't know why, but I think that will make things better.

My favorite Café Mac food is going to the toast line, and making me some cinnamon toast. DIY is the only way to go.

Programming Board Chair

Erla Osk Petursdottir '04

Major: Computer Science and Economics

My name is Erla Osk Petursdottir and I'm a junior from Grindavik, Iceland. During my 3 years here at Macalester I have been involved in many organizations this year I was the Events Coordinator of Afrika! and on the Performances Committee of the Program Board. I have gained a lot of experience in how to launch successful events and through my experiences I have discovered many essential leadership skills. I believe that the most challenging aspect of any organization is not merely to get people involved but to delegate the work efficiently. In my opinion, the role of the leader is often misunderstood. It is often considered to be the do-it-all position, but a leader is essentially a facilitator - the person that makes sure everything gets done, and gets done well.

I have witnessed and participated in numerous Program Board activities this year and I think we can all agree that the current Board did a great job. The Program Board set the bar high in its first year of existence and I would like to have the opportunity to make sure that its success continues.