Nicole Whitlock brings student perspective

By Robbie Sequeira Gannett

Nicole Whitlock hopes to bring student perspective and issues of equality to ex-officio role

As the freshly-minted ISU student ex-officio student City Council member of the Ames City Council, Iowa State University rising senior Nicole Whitlock hopes to keep her fellow students engaged with the local politics of Ames, even as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps them away from campus.

“At the last (Ames City Council) meeting, we discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the city of Ames and also the university, and that’s valuable information that is pertinent to students,” Whitlock said. “I want to be a resource to keep students engaged and involved with what’s going on with the local politics, throughout the summer and with everything happening with the pandemic.”

A double major in elementary education with endorsements in mathematics and reading and a minor in women’s and gender studies, Whitlock was sworn in May 12, taking over the reins of the position from Devyn Leeson.

The role of ISU student ex-officio is a one-year appointment courtesy of the ISU Government of the Student Body, and while they are a representative of the student body, the ex-officio student City Council member holds no official voting power in city council meetings.

Despite that, Whitlock credited her predecessor Leeson, also a rising senior, for being a vocal proponent of student matters at city council meetings during his time as ex-officio meetings.

“Devyn did a wonderful job being a voice for students during meetings, raising concerns and issues that he was hearing to the mayor and council members,” Whitlock said. “I hope to bring my own spin to the positions, using my background as women and gender studies minor to discuss equality for all residents in Ames.”

Whitlock has been very involved in the political scene at the university, serving as vice president of Iowa State University Democrats, philanthropy co-chair of the Honors Student Board and was a precinct leader at Fischer Theater for this year’s Iowa Caucuses.

She said her interest in the position was largely due to the direct impact that local politics have on all Ames residents, including ISU students. One particular issue

A DOUBLE MAJOR IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION WITH ENDORSEMENTS IN MATHEMATICS AND READING AND A MINOR IN WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES, NICOLE WHITLOCK WAS SWORN AS THE ISU STUDENT EX-OFFICIO STUDENT CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL MAY 12, TAKING OVER THE REINS OF THE POSITION FROM

DEVYN LEESON. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

she plans to bring attention to is rental codes and student housing rights.

“Student housing rights is an evergreen issue that continues to be applicable to students here,” she said. “I think further discussions on the city’s rental codes, how students can navigate situations with local landlords can help provide the student with resources and better access to housing.”

Whitlock said one of the responsibilities of the position is writing a full report of each meeting and sending it to all university students for feedback and questions. In hopes of fostering a growing engagement with students and city

council, Whitlock plans to make surveys and questions tabs to gauge the opinions of ISU students on various topics of city government.

“It’s important for city government to continue engaging with the ISU students and getting a pulse on their experiences here in Ames,” she said. “I have my email and phone number available to (students) when I sent out my reports because I also want to be a resource for them each Tuesday.”

Student representation on the council dais has greatly increased over the past year, following the December election of then-junior Rachel Junck, who defeated two-term council member Chris Nelson in a run-off election. Whitlock, who described Junck as a “close friend” said she’s looking forward to working with her to heightening the voices of students and building stronger connections between Iowa State students and the City of Ames.

“I’ve worked closely with Rachel in the past and she’s been really helpful in helping me get acclimated to meeting times, responsibilities and how to work with council and city staff,” she said. “I look forward to working with her in this capacity, to amplify what’s affecting our student body most.”