Opinion on Student Government

Opinion: Student Government: A Source of Change, an instrument of hope and a catalyst for development-if students engage!

By Jaheim Javel Pierre‘25 First-Year Class President

As one of the first-year class presidents, I was intimidated by the opacity of my new role in the first weeks of the semester. To me it seemed to rash at the time and lacked a logical basis, to be a first-year class president. I was inspired by government meetings, seeing students across all walks of life here at the colleges who aregranted the opportunity to make electoral choices on all issues petitioned during those weekly meetings. From time to time, key members of the institutional administration would be present to discuss policy, goals, and the agenda of the administration in a given time. It is an incredibly beautiful experience witnessing students talk about the issues they are passionate about and not only talk about but allocate resources to those causes where meaningful change and outcomes can be seen. What comes to one mind when the term government is uttered, some may think of WashingtonD.C and all the architectural expressions that is contained therein, which includes but is not limited to the White House, the Capitol building,and the monuments and statues that boldly convey governance.

To others, the word governmentis equal to an individual figurethat is thought torepresentallthe flaws orall the highlights and esteemed accomplishments of the 10

idea of government. Precisely, regardless of what that word means toyou, it should not undermine the fact that in HWS’ government,power is generatedby the people it represents. It is imperative to hold the entities that represent you,i.e., government,accountable and challenge the institutionsthat they abide byto implement change. That sentiment is held across the board by all members of Hobart Student Governmentand William Smith Congress. Majority of the members were of the belief ascollege students we are at a critical juncturewhere we are theones moldingthe futurethat we want to reside and thrive in. That process of molding and shaping the future begins right here, at the institutionthat provides us with the toolsnecessaryto make that change.

There is precedent in the United States and the world where students empowered through their respective student governmentscatalyzed not only institutional change but far-reaching national change as well. This is where studentengagement plays a significant role in the shaping of the type of student government that could represent changesthat students wantto see. To achievethose,the HWS Executive Boardencouragesstudents to go out to townhalls, go to weekly student government meetings, emailclass presidents,and suggest ideas. In the absence of that elevated level of engagement, the decadence of institutionaldemocracy is a certainty.It is well recorded thatthere is a correlation betweenthe institutions with the most active student body and campuses that is flexible, open-minded and willing to ameliorate policies that are necessarily student-friendly,especially in ways of equity and justice.

Photo Courtsey of Adam Farid The Student Government Board from left to right, Top Row: Johanna Golden ‘23, James Anderson ‘23, Litzy Bautista ‘23, Noah Thrkill ‘23, Sharon Lopez ‘23, Bottom Row: Freya Birkas-Dent ‘22, Tenzin Yonten ‘23, William Koepp ‘23

According to the records of HSG+WSC secretary ledger: These are the Achievements of the student government thus farfor semester 1

•Provided funding to R.E.D, a campus organization that distributes free menstrual products around campus. •Extended Discussion with Provost Sarah Kirk on program expansions and curriculum development including anti-racist curriculum development. Also discussed the possible inequities that exist among academic departments. •Discussed with President Jacobsen on the budget, including the institution investment in ESG portfoliosin addition to the overall stability of the colleges. •Funded the all-male acapella group, theHobartTones•Funded HWS Spike-Ball Club •And many other productive discussions with the student body. One thing that is imperative to any institution’s stability and progress is the ability to effectively communicate. Student government as an institution that must communicate and evaluateinteractions with the larger institution of HWS. As an elected representative of HWS student government framework, I spokewith other elected representatives about the process of leadership and shaping a campus culture that reflects the aspirations of an open-minded, fair,and equitable society. In my conversations with my colleagues, I attempted to

get a sense of their thoughts on Hobart Student Government and William Smith Congress.

With all my colleagues I spoke to, there was this overwhelming sense of student government being of vital importanceto the sharing of student ideas and suggestions. It is clear every session that there isa consistent group of non-elected students who show up and vote. This one of the unique aspects of HSG & WSC, according to Johanna Golden the William Smith Congress Vice President. According to Hobart Student Government Treasurer, James Anderson,one of the most visible accomplishmentsin student governmentis the creation of the Dreamers Committee.This initiative is designed to improve marginalizedstudents experiencehere at HWS, and as a practical demonstration of that commitment, 25% of the board excess funds will be used for that purpose.

In the end, it is up to we the students to get involved in that part of student life. Secretary of Hobart Student Government, Noah Thirkill,believes one of the principal elementsof student government here is the “power and autonomy students are given,”therefore engagement is important. President ofthe William Smith Congress, Litzy Bautista,subscribed to that belief of “students being empowered” as she referenced WSC & HSG suggesting a Covid-19 dashboardduring the height of the pandemic. This was great as it reduced speculation and gave students correct information at such delicate emotional moments, and per Bautista,that change was only possible through engagement. Lastly, the changes and achievementslisted here could only be achievedthrough student engagement. We have so much work to do students of HWS, there is hope in our ability to create the change we want to see,holding our institutionaccountable is not a source of hate, but love for progress, change,and respect to theevolution of a 21stcentury that calls for open mindedness, resilience, and equity. Thank you to all members of Hobart Student Government and William Smith Congress for your service, time,and commitment to ensuring students’ voices are heard.

After a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kinetic Dance Collective

will finally be back to the Smith Opera House! The Herald was recently able to catch up with Co-Presidents Bryna Gage (’22) and Gemma Carr-Locke (’22), who offered insights on what to expect for this year’s show.

What should the audience expect for the first show back?

The audience should expect high energy and excitement; all our dancers are super excited to be performing live and in-person again! The concert showcases works from 22 choreographers in styles ranging from tap to modern, hip-hop to Bollywood, contemporary to K-pop, step to jazz and more. We cannot wait to be back and share with the greater HWS community our love for dance after the last year. We hope the audience enjoys the show!

Kinetic Dance Collective: November 12th and 13th at 7:30 PM

By Katelyn Oswalt ‘24 Staff Writer

What part of being back on stage are you most excited for?

Performing in KDC is unlike most dance concerts. The energy and support dancers receive from the audience throughout the

performance is unlike any show that either of us have danced in before. We are most excited to experience that feeling again and to share what we have been working on all semester with our friends, family, and the greater Geneva community. It has been great to be back in the studio with the dancers again and will be so great to be back at the Smith!

Info: What time is the show, where, and how much does it cost?

Friday, November 12th and Saturday, November 13th at 7:30pm

Smith Opera House

Free to HWS students (with OneCard) and children under 12 $10 for adults

All patrons must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Photo Courtesy Kinetic Dance Collective