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RAMAPO NEWS
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Debates Shed Light on Potential Candidates 4.7.2011
By GARRET IVINS Staff Writer
The candidates for Student Government Association president and vice president met Tuesday night to debate over policies and discuss their strategies for best representing the Ramapo student body. Head to head in the competition are the Students for Students party and the United Student Leaders party. In the Students for Students party, Brendan Flanagan is running for president, and Valerie Canubas for vice president. In the United Student Leaders party, Steven Wiltbank is running for president, and Frank Levering for vice president. During the debate, all the candidates were asked questions ranging from “What sets you apart from your opponent?” to “If you were an animal, what would it be?” All candidates spoke articulately and addressed the issues thoroughly. One common goal of all involved in the race is to improve relations between students and the SGA.
A Publication by the Students for the Ramapo College Community
“United Student Leaders has three goals,” said Wiltbank. “To increase school spirit, increase student-to-administration respect, and get a hold on school spending.” Wiltbank stressed that he wants students to see where their money is being allocated, and he wants to build relations and trust with student organizations to improve their interaction with the SGA. In contrast, Flanagan said, “Students for Students stands for representation, transparency, and liability.” Flanagan believes the SGA should be more accessible and open to students, and should better represent them. Both presidential candidates were well prepared, not only for the questions asked, but also for the role at hand. Wiltbank was elected freshman class speaker, is active in the current SGA body, and advocates for students. Flanagan has no student government experience. However, he does have leadership
see DEBATE on page 6
photo by Garret Ivins
Valerie Canubas, Brendan Flanagan, Steven Wiltbank and Frank Levering represent the two parties in the April Student Government election.
photos courtesy of Stef Mauro and Takanari Tanahashi
For more pictures from the annual Junior Class Cruise, sponsored by the Class Council of 2012, see page 2.
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XLI No. 20
Send Silence Packing Aims to End Suicide Stigma
By MIKE JAGENDORF Staff Wrtier
Students Set Sail on Cruise Around New York City
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Active Minds will set up a display on campus near the Arch on April 27 consisting of 1,100 backpacks to represent the 1,100 college students who commit suicide each year across the country. The program, called Send Silence Packing, is sponsored by the national Active Minds organization, with the goal of increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Other sponsors of the event include the Office of Specialized Services, Student Development, West Bergen Mental Healthcare, and the Community Health Improvement Partnership of Bergen County. Active Minds brings the display to colleges all over the country. Many of the backpacks once belonged to students who died of suicide and were donated by their families. On some of them, there are touching personal messages written by loved ones of suicide victims. “Not many people talk about it on campus. There’s such a stigma,” said Jessica Parascando, the president of Ramapo’s chapter of Active Minds. The goal of Active Minds is to promote a mentally healthy lifestyle as well as ending stigmas. “We’ll have information about suicide prevention, ways to destress and cope, and let people know that they’re not alone.” Parascando said a mentally healthy lifestyle is key to preventing depression, which is a common cause of suicide. Healthy eating, adequate sleep, socializing, exercising and relaxing all help to
see SILENCE on page 6
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