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“I’m not like a Michael Moore; I don’t start the film out with a preconceived view,” says Robert Kenner, director of the film, Food Inc.
Kenner held a discussion and screening of the film Wednesday evening at G.W.’s Funger Hall.
During our WRGW SA election survey, we noticed that many freshmen students were voting for Rob Maxim (EVP) and Xochitl Sanchez (President). When asked how they made their selection, the freshmen students answered that they remembered their names from the Colonial Cabinet. Both Rob Maxim, and Xochitl Sanchez were 2009 Colonial Cabinet members.
It is important to mention, however, that Lifton is still realistic about a handful of issues that other candidates (in a variety of SA races) have exploited for the sake of campaign strategy and political expediency. He understands the stringent limitations pertaining to J Street dining reform (mainly contractual and union matters), and recognizes the critical need to increase study hours and study locations, while continuing to push for enhanced campus safety and security.
| Xochitl Sanchez |
| International Affairs |
| STAND, Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity, 2009 Colonial Cabinet, College Democrats, Capitol Hill Intern Congressman Rodriguez D-TX, Leon H. Sullivan Foundation Intern. |
| I am running for president because for the past two years I have been disappointed with the job the SA has been doing in regards to advocating for students and their needs. The SA needs to focus on student orgs and other student life issues to make student’s time at the university the best it can be. Problems regarding advising, dining, and student life shouldn’t be hindering students and their overall GW experience. I plan on tackling these issues head on and advocating the needs that I see students have. |
| The most pressing issue facing the SA and the SA President is communication and advocacy for and among students and student organizations. The SA President is not there to follow the agenda of the GW Administration but rather she is there to represent the needs of the students and inform the administration of those needs. Communication is a huge aspect of the job and ensuring that student orgs receive the help they need by frequently communicating with them and students is a necessity. |
| I believe the most effective member of the SA would be SA senator Michael Komo. He has been a total advocate for students and student organizations. He worked so hard to bring real change this year and I hope if elected I will be able to work with him next year to advocate for the students. |
| Communication with my executive cabinet and EVP would be the most different thing that I partake in as SA President. Julie did a great job advocating for students but the lack of communication in her administration made it difficult for others to get initiatives for students accomplished. |
| I would continue to serve the students of GW in the same way I have for the last three years, as a student organization leader. This is the most effective way to help integrate GW students into campus life and it is very rewarding since it allows me to build more personal relationships with students. I’m also an active member in my Honors Fraternity and plan on staying involved with them as well as the College Democrats. |
| I have yet to decide who I will be voting for since all of the candidates bring something valuable to the table. I really like that Dobson brings a great attitude in regard to tacking the issues the SA has and that Goldstein is advocating for a stronger voice for students. Maxim is a great friend of mine and he has great character and knowledge to help him be a great EVP. Binetti shares in my view of a stronger student life throughout the university. I know all of their platforms well and would be able to have a great working relationship with all of them. |
| Jason Lifton |
| Political Science and Business Administration |
| I am currently the house manager for Sigma Chi, an active member of GW Hillel and a somewhat active member of the GW Sailing team. Additionally, last semester I worked for Senator Chuck Schumer as a legislative intern. |
| After 2 and a half years at GW and a successful year as EVP I feel that I have a great knowledge of how GW runs and what sort of issues students face. I believe that I can effectively advocate for students on the issues that are most important. I have seen the ways that the Student Association is effective and the things that can be improved and I will work to make sure that this organization runs as smoothly as possible, working as hard as possible for all GW students. |
| The number one issue that the SA president should be addressing is the Gelman Library. At an academic institution the library should the be focal point of an education and Gelman is totally inadequate to fit that need. The university should be dedicating more resources to Gelman so that the library can implement the improvements that they have been discussing for years. |
| This past year, no one in the Student Association has worked harder that Erik Ashida (myself included). Erik is the student body’s strongest advocate when it comes to issues with the Gelman Library. He is constantly meeting with the librarians, the library advisory boards and high level administrators all in an effort to improve the quality of the library. Erik is quite and soft spoken, but does not stand down when he faces adverse opinions in an administrator’s office, but most notable about Erik is that most of his work is totally unnoticed by everyone, yet he does not need recognition. If the SA had more people like Erik, the organization would be a lot more effective when it comes to advocating and fighting for students. |
| Julie’s biggest flaw was her lack of communication with the student body. The SA president should be a visible figure who’s around campus and I think that Julie often lacked that presence. It is essential that people know who the president is and recognize that he or she is a person to approach if they need help with something. As president I will ensure that I am visible on campus and that I keep an open line of communication between me and the student body. |
| Sleeping later! Also, if I’m not elected I would love to get more involved with GW Trails. Also, I will take a more active role in the GW sailing team. |
| As someone who has the experience working with administrators and navigating the GW bureaucracy I will be able to hit the ground running as president. |
| Logan Dobson |
| Political Science, History Minor |
| Sigma Chi Fraternity, 2-year Student Association SenatorInterned at Women Impacting Public Policy and the US Chamber of Commerce Worked for GW Housing as a House Scholar |
| I’m running for EVP because I know what’s wrong in the SA and I know how to fix it. While progress on some specific issues has been made, many parts of student life are being overlooked. We need an EVP with both the knowledge of the SA needed to make changes and the independent thinking to be able to leave aside typical SA shenanigans. |
| Certainly, anyone with any experience working between student orgs and the SA knows that it can be a pain. We ask our student orgs to do so much; they provide the campus spirit we rely on, they bring the interesting speakers and political features to campus that makes this such a special campus. Improving their efficiency in doing that improves all aspects of campus life. We need to, once and for all, implement and advertise an online co-sponsorship and cut down drastically on the turnaround time between when an event occurs and when org leaders are reimbursed. |
| Michael Komo, without a doubt. A strong and effective advocate, and an example of what just one student can accomplish. |
| I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I was the best candidate, but Rob Maxim is probably the second best. |
| The same thing I do every day, Pinky. Trying to take over the world. I’m sure I’ll be involved in some way. I’ve been living, breathing, writing all things GW for a couple years now. Can’t just quit that cold turkey. |
| Lifton. |
| I’d encourage you to check out www.loganforevp.com for a more detailed look into my platform. Throughout my time in the SA and working on campus, I’ve always endeavored to be clear and straightforward. We have some real problems here at GW, but it’s nothing that can’t be solved by direct and genuine leadership. |
| Rob Maxim |
| International Affairs/Economics |
| SA Senate Secretary 2008-2009, Member of the 2010 Innovation Taskforce, 2009 Colonial Cabinet, International Affairs Society/Model UN, College Democrats, STAR tour guide, Greek life (Pi Kappa Alpha), Intern-GWU Office of Sustainability, Intern-Department of Commerce, Admissions Assistant (GWU Admissions Office), Study Abroad-Barcelona Fall 2009 |
| As a student that has been heavily involved in a variety of GWU activities, I have a perspective on what common GW students want. As someone that has been involved with the SA in the past as well as done a wide array of activity within the GW community I have the connections needed within the student body to seek out the issues we need changed, and the connections within the administration to implement those changes. |
| The most pressing advocacy issue that the EVP should deal with is revising the GW bookstore’s prices and policies. Every student in every year, undergraduate and graduate, needs to pay for books. The GW Bookstore is overpriced relative to online and third party vendors, and does not give good buyback rates. They also have limited stock of many graduate level books. By working with efollet and the faculty senate, I think that we as an SA can make the GW Bookstore an institution that actually helps students, as opposed to one that is just another excess expense. |
| Erik Ashida. He has done a lot of work for the GW student community, particularly in academics, and I appreciate his efforts to revise the Gelman voluntarily gift policy. |
| Josh Goldstein; he is very affable, easy to work with, and knows the issues well. He would be a great bridge between the Executive and the Senate. |
| I will be interning, either with the Department of Commerce, the Treasury, or State. I have also considered getting involved with student theater. |
| Undecided, though I think Lifton outdid Sanchez in the debate |
We recap Friday's 2010 WRGW News - Student Association Debate! 
