Student Senate Election Guide 2018

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS 2018

gvsu.edu/studentsenate/elections

Table of Contents

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What is student senate?

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How do I vote?

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14-15

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Candidate profiles

Quotes from past senators

Senate accomplishments

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | 3

What is student senate?

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rand Valley State University’s student senate works to ensure that the students’ voices are continually heard by the university. The student senate is open to all majors and is comprised of 50 students who serve on one of seven different committees. The committees are senate resources, finance, campus affairs, educational affairs, diversity affairs, external relations and public relations. All seven committees work to enhance student life, academics and the overall student experience at GVSU.

What do we do?

Student senate works to: • Investigate & resolve common student problems • Advocate for the inclusion of students in the decision-making processes of the university • Promote awareness of the role students play in the community • Enhance the quality of education, inside & outside the classroom • Empower students with leadership opportunities

Want to get involved?

Student senate is here to represent YOU! Stop by our general assemblies Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Pere Marquette Room in the Kirkhof Center and voice your opinions about issues. Fill out our online form if you see something that you believe should be changed about GVSU. Additionally, vote in this election for people that you believe are qualified to serve you on student senate.

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

4 | STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS

HOW TO VOTE Voting will take place March 26 - April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

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GO TO: WWW.GVSU.EDU/STUDENT SENATE

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CLICK ON THE ELECTIONS TAB

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READ THE LANTHORN ELECTION GUIDE

BALLOT

VOTE

VOTE FOR UP TO 10 CANDIDATES*

*If you can’t find 10 candidates you want to vote for, write-in candidates are accepted and can beat out students on the ballot.

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Tatiana Benniefield

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | 5

Audrey Best

Year: Junior

Year: Freshman

Major: Social Work

Major: Mathematics, Statistics (emphasis in Actuarial Science) Hometown: Rockford, MI

Hometown: Chicago, IL Involvement: You Beautiful Black Woman, REVIVE

Platform: • I want minority programs and organizations to get recognition for the things that they do on campus • I want to create more opportunities for student organizations to put on the events

Brian Bialowas Year: Junior Major: Political Science, French Hometown: Grand Haven, MI Involvement: Grand Valley College Democrats, Student Senate Platform: • Gender equity • Greater resources for LGBTQIA+ students on campus • Promotion of health (physical and mental) • Create a more inclusive university for all students

Joe Cadreau

Year: Senior Major: Public and Nonprofit Administration & ITC Cert.

Hometown: Saugatuck, MI Involvement: NAACP, Student Senate, SLAM, USASS Platform: • I wrote the Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution that passed senate in fall 2017 • Create a community garden on both campuses • I believe a campus climate survey should be conducted every 2-3 years

Involvement: Campus Republicans, Rockford LIONS, Campus Ministry Platform: • More inclusive atmosphere • Vocalize your requests • Prioritize campus safety • Make the resources GVSU offers well-known • Interactive and memorable year for President Haas

Hugh Boyd Year: Freshman Major: Film and Video Production, Marketing Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI Involvement: GVTV, Kids in Motion

Platform: • Improve the quality of Campus Dining and oncampus health services • Work to promote tolerance and openmindedness toward others on campus • Give students more resources to pursue their passions

Amanda Crawford Year: Freshman Major: Advertising and Public Relations Hometown: Auburn Hills, MI Involvement: Yoga, Classics Society Platform: • Deeply passionate about improving student life • Increase knowledge of funding for student organizations • Promote mental-health awareness • Increase resources for students’ mental health

6 | STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS

Richard DeBerry

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Christina DeKoekkoek

Year: Junior

Year: Junior

Major: Public Administration

Major: Accounting

Hometown: Troy, MI

Hometown: South Lyon, MI

Involvement: N/A

Platform: • Help lower-income students gain access to additional funds to keep them in school • Develop a stronger connection between GVSU and the community • Make the GVSU bus route more efficient

Jacob Downey

Involvement: College Democrats, College Republicans, Lakers for Liberty, Teaching Through Technology Platform: • Increase communication between student senate and the student body • Listen to student concerns and raise awareness for all the cool things student senate does • Dedicated • Leadership experience

Dillon Drossart

Year: Freshman

Year: 3rd Year

Major: Biomedical Sciences

Major: Honors Business Economics

Hometown: Woodhaven, MI Involvement: Pre-Med Club, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Boxing Club Platform: • I would like to be on student senate because I want to contribute to the wellness of Grand Valley • Improve the healthy options on campus • Cross-committee collaboration • Improve campus safety

Hometown: Traverse City, MI Involvement: Resident Assistant

Platform: • Improve Counseling Center hours and location • Provide healthier options for all students on campus • Work to make Grand Valley a friendlier place for those with marginalized identities

Carter Engler

Madison Esselink

Year: Sophomore/2nd Year

Year: Freshman

Major: Computer Information Systems

Major: Psychology, Social Work

Hometown: Chelsea, MI

Hometown: Mount Clemens, MI

Involvement: Student Senate, Laker Traditions

Involvement: Student Senate

Platform: • Continue my work with improving campus safety at GVSU • Ensure that I work FOR the student body in their favor as a representative for them • Develop projects to further advance GVSU technologies

Platform: • I am passionate about Grand Valley and aspire to make campus better with every day I spend here • Making students comfortable, confident and secure in their environment is my goal

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Cece Findlay

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | 7

Ryan Fritz

Year: Sophomore

Year: Junior

Major: Allied Health Sciences (Pre-Physical Therapy)

Major: Political Science, Communication Hometown: Muskegon, MI Involvement: Rotary Club, Toastmasters

Hometown: Fraser, MI Involvement: Alpha Omicron Pi, The Thirst Project, Transitions Platform: • If I am chosen to serve as a senator, I will collaborate with my fellow senators to hear the wishes of the student body and act to invoke the changes they wish to see to the best of my abilities

Platform: • I aim to influence public affairs related to campus activity • Work with faculty members and peers to continue to build and maintain a strong GVSU reputation

Kyle Giusti

Sophia Hall

Year: Sophomore

Year: 3rd Year

Major: Business Economics, International Relations

Major: Political Science Hometown: Berkley, MI

Hometown: South Lyon, MI Involvement: Lakers for Liberty, Students for Sensible Drug Policy Platform: • Running for the finance committee • Experienced in running and assisting student organizations • Strong advocate for student orgs

Darwin Harris

Involvement: GVSU College Republicans, Political Science and Arabic tutor, Women’s Club Basketball, IM Coed Basketball and Volleyball, IM Women’s Basketball Platform: • Increased access to healthy food • Comfort speaking freely regardless of your opinion

Jordan Hodges

Year: Junior

Year: Freshman

Major: History

Major: Marketing, Finance

Hometown: Saint Louis, MO

Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI

Involvement: Student Senate, Housing & Residence Life, TRiO, ELS Center

Involvement: College Republicans

Platform: • Plan to address issues of underrepresented individuals • Planning for GV parade with all student orgs involved

Platform: • I want the student senate to have a balanced budget and make good decisions regarding the well-being of the students • I want to represent the conservative students better at GVSU

8 | STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS

Gavin Hunter

Year: Senior Major: Business Economics, Finance Hometown: Muskegon, MI Involvement: Grand Valley College Democrats, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Economics Club Platform: • Make sure each club and campus organization has equal access to funds • Create a balanced budget for campus organizations • Help continue Grand Valley’s tradition of excellence

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Rachel Ibarra

Year: Junior Major: Business Hometown: Constantine, MI Involvement: Tri Sigma Sorority, TRiO SSS, Student Senate

Platform: • I would like to help create a more inclusive campus • I’m hoping to continue working on the transfer student orientation that Grand Valley offers • Promote student body involvement

Rachel Jenkin

Alia Johnson

Year: Junior

Year: Senior Major: Public and Nonprofit Administration Hometown: Chicago, IL Involvement: Alpha Omega CoEd Christian Fraternity, Student Senate

Major: Business Hometown: Brownstown, MI Involvement: Student Senate, Psi Chi, CUPSI

Platform: • Continue advocacy work for sexual assault awareness • Be an engaged liaison between students and administration to improve campus and climate • Consistently bring new ideas that make a lasting impact on GV

Cameron Jones

Platform: • Continue to bring hope and a voice to marginalized students • Supply student senate with diversity, innovative ideas and tenacity

Jacob Kelsey

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Major: Political Science, International Relations

Major: Business

Hometown: Trenton, Michigan

Involvement: College Republicans

Involvement: Student Senate, Cook Leadership Academy, Issues Forum, Model United Nations Platform: • I will continue to fight for increased funding from the state of Michigan so that your tuition is lower • I will promote Grand Valley so that it gets the reputation and the influence that it deserves

Hometown: Freeland, MI

Platform: • Push for free speech on college campuses • Become more involved in university affairs • Help students to find the major/minor that suits them and their goals

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | 9

Olivia Kolc

Nelleke Langdon

Year: Junior

Year: Freshman

Major: Finance, Management Operations

Major: Business

Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI Involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Panhellenic Council, Kids HOPE, Campus Ministry, Student Senate Platform: • As a returning senator I wish to create more transparency for the student body • Create a more inclusive funding board • Work with organizations to better events • Be a voice for the students

Hometown: Owosso, MI Involvement: GVSU Honors, Key Club and Student Council, National Honor Society, 2 Jobs

Platform: • Leader • Open-minded and accepting • Work with people with disabilities • LGBT responsible

Megan LaPlatt

John Lurie

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Major: Secondary Education, English

Major: Business Management

Hometown: Milford, MI Involvement: Campus Ministry, Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Platform: • Expand and improve Counseling Center • Add study areas in populous areas • Bring new and fresh ideas from both the Christian community, the panhel community, education majors community

Morgan Mattler Year: Sophomore Major: Political Science, Economics Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI Involvement: Student Senate, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Hillel, Student Life (Promotions Office), IM Sports Platform: • Wants to continue to foster a strong connection between senate and students, getting them informed and involved • Interested in improving communication between student organizations and the funding board

Hometown: Huntington Woods, MI Involvement: Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Student Senate, Hillel Club Platform: • To make Grand Valley a place you want to complete your education • Create a campus environment inclusive for all people • I hope to help bridge the gap between student senate and the student body

Erin McIntosh

Year: Sophomore Major: Political Science, Economics Hometown: Royal Oak, MI Involvement: TRiO Student Support Services, Student Ambassador Program, GVSU Career Center Platform: • Pushing support for Open Access and Open Textbooks • Creating an American Sign Language minor and adding ASL as a language option for students’ Bachelor of Arts language requirement

10 | STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS

Holly Neva

Year: Sophomore Major: Political Science, International Relations Hometown: Flint, MI Involvement: Student Senate, Gamma Phi Beta, College Democrats, Go Team, Transitions Platform: • Start a class that teaches students how to file their taxes • Help unify student body with the senate and see how we can better represent them • Get a bus stop at Mystic Woods

Ashley Oerman Year: 1st Year

Major: Public and Nonprofit Administration Hometown: Moline, MI Involvement: Bring Together the World Platform: • Make GVSU a more inclusive community • Work across committee lines and with other student organizations • Get GVSU more involved in the broader community

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Andrew Nurmi

Year: Sophomore Major: Political Science Hometown: Harper Woods, MI Involvement: College Democrats, Alternate Realities Gaming Club, Grand Valley Stand Up Comedians

Platform: • Reform our parking system • Work with and improve Campus Dining • Advocate for expanded rights of student employees • Fight for equality and embrace diversity

Robert Page Year: Freshman Major: Accounting, Finance Hometown: Mason, MI Involvement: Student Senate, American Sign Language and Culture Club (ASLCC) Platform: • Be an active voice for underserved communities • Continue my American Sign Language B.A. cognate/minor project

Joel Pagel

Amrutha Patil

Year: Freshman

Year: Freshman

Major: Political Science

Major: Biology

Hometown: Freeland, MI

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI Involvement: Pre-Med Club, Pre-PA Club

Involvement: Law Society, College Republicans

Platform: • I seek to maintain a safe, secure and productive learning environment • Get students’ voices and ideas heard on issues important to them • Help to improve and secure assistance for those who need it

Platform: • Working to get better quality food on campus • Making GVSU a more sustainable campus by promoting recycling and other sustainable practices • Advocating for all students of different backgrounds

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Thomas Quaine Year: Freshman

Major: Biomedical Sciences (Chemistry Minor) Hometown: Fowlerville, MI Involvement: Pre-Med Club, Student Senate, Boy Scouts of America Platform: • I want to make GVSU welcoming to all students • Continue to grow the Laker Light’s Initiative • I would like to continue to build a relationship between the student body and student senate

Griffin Saddler Year: Junior

Major: Finance Hometown: Alpena, MI Involvement: Essu, Delta Sigma Phi

Platform: • More Greek life representation in the student senate • Work on improving the financial policies for other clubs and organizations at GVSU

Haley Sawatzki Year: Freshman Major: Social Work Hometown: Okemos, MI Involvement: Running Club, Alternative Breaks

Platform: • Represent the needs of all GV students • Promote/plan events that make the campus more inclusive and that bring awareness of important issues • Make President Haas’ last year extraordinary

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | 11

Bilal Qureshi

Year: Junior Major: Marketing, Management Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL Involvement: Student Senate, Pokemon Club

Platform: • The dad in a group of friends • Focus will be to improve communication between students, student organizations and the student senate • Foster students’ sustainability and environmental understanding

Lansing Sanchez-Castillo Year: Senior Major: International Relations (Human Rights Law Minor) Hometown: Lansing, MI Involvement: International Student Network, Laker Familia, International Relations Organization Platform: • Reduce salt levels in our environment • Stronger support for the international community • Ensure that campus is handicap-accessible through a routine check of door buttons and paths

Ethan Schafer Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science, Human Rights Hometown: Beal City, MI Involvement: Student Senate, Issues Forum, Whale Radio

Platform: • Create better classroom environments through a free lunch program • Try to alleviate over-programming through student organization cooperation • Make sure all student voices are heard

12 | STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Christian Schroeder

Nyia Slade

Year: Junior

Year: Senior

Major: Marketing, Management Hometown: Troy, MI

Major: Multimedia Journalism

Involvement: American Marketing Association, American Red Cross, Delta Sigma Phi, National Society of Leadership and Success

Involvement: Flawless Faces, U.N.I.T.E., YBBW, Detroit Does Well, Student Senate

Platform: • Create a Pew Campus Recreational Area • More Greek Life representation • Implement better partnerships with other clubs and organizations

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Platform: • I should be a part of student senate because I am honest, reliable and a persistent student advocate • I am an involved student who is always willing to learn and is here for change

Eric-John Szczepaniak

Stephen Szymanski

Year: Sophomore

Year: Freshman

Major: Education, Group Social Studies Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI Involvement: Student Senate, College Democrats, TRIO Teacher Prep, Kappa Delta Pi, Honors College, Kenowa Hills Board of Education Platform: • Lowering textbook costs by working with profs to use Open Educational Resources • Foster civic engagement • Let LGBTQ+ students request an ally/LGBTQ+ adviser • Push for a 12-16 block credit tuition rate

Major: Computer Science Hometown: Allen Park, MI Involvement: Stars for Make a Wish, Fencing, WCKS The Whale

Platform: • Making an even stronger connection between the student body and student senate body • Want to represent the student body to my best abilities • Continue working on projects that will benefit students

Dorian Thompson

Monica Van Til

Year: Sophomore

Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science

Major: Statistics

Hometown: Plymouth, MI

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Involvement: College Republicans

Involvement: Student Senate, Honors College, Transitions, Spotlight Productions

Platform: • Help increase state funding • Protect free speech • Help create fall break

Platform: • Ensure representation of first-year students through the application process in the fall • Uplift student voices through increased outreach efforts • Foster a culture of inclusivity and support

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | 13

John VanDaele Year: Junior Major: Political Science Hometown: Freeland, MI Involvement: Student Senate, Young Americans for Freedom, College Republicans Platform: • I want to make senate into a safe haven for student concerns by reaching out more to the student population to make sure we have their interests first • To be a voice of positive change in my school

Devoren Wesley Year: Junior Major: Human Resource Management Hometown: Brownstown, MI Involvement: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Iota Epsilon Chapter, Black Greek Council, iSalute, Voices of GVSU, Black Male Scholars Initiative Platform: • In tune with the thoughts and feelings of the student body • Patient and compassionate with others • Charismatic leader • Able to inspire and motivate those around me • Dependable and drive is apparent

Nati Worku Year: Junior Major: Political Science Hometown: Jenison, MI Involvement: African Student Council

Platform: • Bring more attention to campus security and sexual assault • Get students involved in the government body • Bring a set of new ideas and discussions to the student government body

Shelby Vincke Year: Sophomore Major: Finance, Accounting Hometown: New Lothrop, MI Involvement: Office of Student Life

Platform: • I not only want to become more involved myself, but encourage the community at GV to as well • I want to be a voice for my fellow students • To be transparent about the progress I’m making as a senator

Darrell Willis Year: Sophomore Major: Criminal Justice, Spanish Hometown: Chicago, IL Involvement: La Tertulia (Spanish Club), Resident Assistant

Platform: • Establish diversity and inclusion for all • Serve less-represented groups on campus • Bring life to every situation or venue I’m at or in • Establish equity for all • Provide safe, open-minded space

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

14 | STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS

Although there are many benefits to joining student senate, the ones that stick out to me are the lifetime leadership skills and connections that I gained during my terms. The opportunity to be involved in making Grand Valley a better place is unparalleled.”

BETH HOPKINS

We are a voice for the students representing them to help meet their needs to improve Grand Valley for future Lakers. It is important to vote because these are the people who are going to be representing you to make these decisions.”

GREG ZIEGENFELDER

Student senate means that the voice of the student body isn’t ignored. Students have concerns, they have opinions, and GVSU student senators make sure that those are heard and advocated for.”

HANNAH SCOTT

Voting for student senate elections is important because these will be your voices to the administration. If you want your voice to be heard, vote for those who you believe represent your beliefs and values.”

RIVER GIBBS

MARCH 26, 2018 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN

Student senate has given me the opportunity to directly impact the lives of my peers in ways that I could’ve never imagined. It’s also given me the best friends that I have ever had. It’s rare to find something that gives back to the community so richly and betters people as individuals at the same time.”

BECCA ROGERS

STUDENT SENATE ELECTIONS | A15

STUDENT SENATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2017 / 2018 •

Raised over $17,000 for the Laker Children’s Fund

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Danced the night away with 4,500 students in attendance of the annual Presidents’ Ball

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Hosted the first student government conference with 10+ schools in attendance

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Welcomed in over 4,000 students at Convocation by the student senate president’s address to the student body

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Created a task force to work on adding a fall break to the academic calendar

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Established student organization liaisons for the 400+ student organizations

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50 total guest speakers in attendance at general assembly during the year

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Co-hosted the fifth annual Teach-In

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Collaborated with different departments to host the annual MLK Week

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Held the third annual Student Senate Week

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Conducted outreach research engagements to 500+ students

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Developed a campus democratic engagement plan with campus community partners

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Highest attendance at food committee

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Improving the Veterans Lounge

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Sustainability efforts: Pollution testing in the Ravines and hiring a company to clean it up in a safe way

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Sexual assault awareness

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Passed a resolution in support of Indigenous Peoples Day in the calendar

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Last Lecture featuring Dr. Aaron Bexter and Professor James Goode

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Passed a resolution to support legislation in the Michigan House of Representatives

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Passed a resolution supporting the FASTR act

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Led the charge on Open Access textbooks by creating a task force with faculty and administration

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Allocated more than $200,000 in just campus programming alone and more than $175,000 in travel this fiscal year

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Rewrote the funding bylaws to update all of our processes within them

STUDENT SENATE

ELECTIONS

HAVE YOU

VOTED!?!

Voting is March 26 - April 1 Check out the election packet in the Lanthorn

gvsu.edu/studentsenate/elections