This week, we had elections of the Student Union Executive Board. The student body chose the leaders of our Student Union for the next term, but it is important to remember the platforms upon which each candidate based their campaign. Her Campus has decided to compile the winners’ platforms for you as this week’s celebrity feature. You rocked the vote, and here are your future student leaders:
Vice President of Communications: Adrienne Metzger
Hello I am Adrienne Metzger and I am seeking the position of Executive Vice President of Communications. With this position I will strive to support and work together with students and organizations of John Carroll University. I will be mindful of the interests and concerns of the student body and together we can collaborate new ideas to help benefit the good of this community. To maximize student involvement I will effectively communicate with the student union and we will improve the unity of this campus. Leadership is crucial in establishing a thriving learning community that will continue to demonstrate greatness. Together we can make our voices heard and change for the better.
Vice President Programming: Matt Hribar
I, Matthew Hribar, wish to announce my intent to run for Vice President of Programming for the Student Union Executive Board.
After serving two years on the Student Union Programming Executive Board (and an additional semester being an active team member), I feel more then prepared to run for this position. This year I was Major Events Coordinator. I put on events including 2014’s Snowflake Swirl (an updated version of the winter formal of which I programmed), Carroll Fest, Welcome-Back Concert, SUPB’s Homecoming and Family Weekend 2014 and the Ghastly Gala, (a halloween dance) all of which saw increased attendance and were given rave reviews from the John Carroll community.
If elected as Vice President of Programming, I want to bring reforming changing to the policies that effect the programming board’s executive board, including enforcing rules and regulations as well as upholding more respect and reliability. Also, I wish to evaluate all of SUPB’s past events in order to make the best programming for the school year. Furthermore, I want to engage with the student body even more and directly work with them to provide the best programming we can. Also, as Vice President of Programming, I would be able to help event coordinators and other executive members with my years of service.
I have worked with over one hundred and thirty thousand dollars for many events, and I have done a lot to ensure that the potential of the organization reaches even beyond maximum. As VPP, I plan on not only making sure the events are still successful, but are relatable and are what students want. I am in touch with what our campus needs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and I want to maximize the potential of our board, members, budget and events.
There is a reason SUPB is close to my heart. It is because it is a large organization that is close to this entire campus’ life. Remember back to Streak Week, when you were welcomed by a hypnotist. Perhaps you can recall when you walk through the atrium and find bamboo to make, comedians to laugh to, food to enjoy. I made tons of friends and engaged with so much of the student body just by attending these events. I want students and incoming students to reflect on their college years and remember the people they met and the events they loved.
I hope you cast your vote in me and allow me to lead SUPB. Trust me, I have never, and will never let the student body down.
Vice President of Student Organizations: Benjamin (Will) Hudson
For the last year, it has been my privilege to represent the Class of 2017 on the Student Union Senate. During my time as Senator we accomplished great things. I worked diligently with faculty and students, always striving to make this University the best it possibly can be. As Chairman of the Academics Committee, I spearheaded the initiative to expand weekday library hours until 2:00 AM each night and helped implement a system to evaluate advisors. As an active member in the Greek Community, I have worked firsthand in the operation of a student organization and fully understand the important role that student organizations of all kinds play on our campus. For these reasons, I would like to continue my service in the Student Union as Vice President for Student Organizations.
Student organizations are an integral part of the John Carroll experience. Their value cannot be overstated. They provide incredible opportunities for personal growth and contribute greatly to the mission of this University. As Vice President for Student Organizations, I will work closely with all organizations to ensure they have their needs met so they can deliver high quality programming to the campus community. And of course, when dealing with such an indispensable part of student life, I will be judicious and fair when making important decisions.
I look forward to collaborating with the diverse group of organizations on our campus. I am committed to leading all our organizations into a future of success and growth. I am excited to be the next Student Union Vice President for Student Organizations.
Vice President of Judicial Affairs: Noble Churovia
Hello John Carroll Community,
My name is Noble Churovia and I am a Junior Criminology major here at Carroll. I could not be more thrilled and honored to be running for Vice President for Judicial Affairs of the Student Union. Since the beginning of my college career I have wanted to make a difference on this campus in one way or another. I am a firm believer in the idea that making a difference on a small scale can make a difference in the lives of many others. My time here on campus has consisted of joining the sisterhood of Kappa Alpha Theta and upholding the Theta values of being the widest influence for good and striving for personal excellence through scholarship and service. I have also begun to lead the organization of Autism Speaks U through my positions of Secretary and now President, which has allotted me the privilege to raise money and awareness for autism. Both of these experiences have helped me develop into a person who is ready to lead.
As Vice President for Judicial Affairs one is responsible to be the Chief Justice of the Student Union Hearing Board and conduct hearings for students in a confidential and unbiased manner. For the past two semesters I have been an active member on the Hearing Board and have witnessed and observed what it takes to allow students to tell their side of the story and then fairly administer sanctions. The Hearing Board has given me the experience that is necessary to take on a position such as this.
If you were to elect me as Vice President for Judicial Affairs I promise to be fair and just in my decision making and use rationality when conducting matters that affect the student body individually and as a whole.
A leader is expected to guide others in manner that is worthy of respect and I can only hope that you all feel that I am well deserving of that honor.
Thank you for your time. Go Blue Streaks!
Vice President of Business Affairs: Deane Stillwagon
If you are looking for an experienced leader with a background in money management to undertake the business aspect of Student Union, then I am the candidate for you. Being President of the Class of 2017 and serving on the SAFAC allocation committee has given me the experience necessary to undertake the position of Vice President for Business Affairs. It is a position of great importance to the Student Union, and one that absolutely requires past experience in order for innovation to take place in the future. Serving on the SAFAC allocation committee has allowed me to have a direct relationship with the allocation supervisors and faculty at the university, all the while giving me the experience of directly managing over a million dollars in activity fee funds. These two experiences are essential to being able to serve as the Vice President for Business Affairs. In addition, my chosen major of finance directly relates to the duties of disbursing allocations in a fiscally responsible manner, coupled with the obligation of keeping in mind the needs of every single student and group at this school. I believe in representation for all at this university, and will seek to advocate for all opinions. I am running for this position because I believe through my role, I can directly impact the student body in a positive manner. Whether it is funding Immersion Experiences, JCU EMS, or sending funds for improvements in the Corbo Weight Room, I know that I have the ability to help each and every student at this great university. I have a passion for John Carroll and believe in the mission of educating men and women for others. If I am elected, I will follow those ideals every single day during my term. Once again, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to run for this position and look forward to serving the student body to the best of my ability if elected.
Executive Vice President: Paul Campbell
I will structure my platform into three main components. First and foremost, since the Executive Vice President serves as a liaison between the student body and administration, my plan is to engage heavily with students to invest in the issues that concern them. Next, because the Student Union has been working on several assignments over the past few years, I will put effort into ensuring that those projects thrive and reach their maximum potential. In addition to these preexisting goals, I am excited to develop new ideas and work to put them into action.
· Engage with Students Although we have a Student Union Government Office at which students can share their concerns and ideas for the campus, how many actually stop in to express their voice? I want to create a very welcoming and casual environment in the office to encourage students to walk in and feel comfortable talking with their peer representatives. The passions of each student at John Carroll University should be encouraged, invigorated, and supported.
· Carry out Current ProjectsStudent Union has been working on various impactful projects over the past few years, and I believe in putting in the effort to ensure they are carried out to their fullest potential. One example of these projects is the extension of Grasselli Library’s hours of operation, which I strongly support. Another project is increased Shuttle Loop stops, providing a wider variety of destinations in which to travel.
· My New Ideas We all have the ability to shape our campus the way we want. My vision is for a more unifiedstudent body. I will work to establish and maintain a comfortable and supporting environment forstudents to talk with me or other Student Union Representatives. I want to see an increased attendance at Varsity sporting events, where we all come together to support our fellow classmates and friends compete against other schools. Professor’s lectures should be recorded and made available for students to access. This will require the professors and administration to play an active role in carrying out this project. I also believe that the Shuttles need to extend their hours to at least 2am to provide students with a safe transportation option for late nights.
Let’s Build Our Legacy.
President: Cole Hassy
Coming into office, I will bring in a five point plan to make common sense reforms here at John Carroll University. Though some of the goals in my plan may seem big, I believe that my administration will be able to see to it that they are completed. The plan is as follows:
1. A Transparent Student UnionA little known fact on campus is that everyone is a member of the Student Union, not just the elected officials that make up the Senate and the Executive Board. Therefore, all John CarrollStudents should be able to see student governance in action. As Student Body President, I will make all Student Union meetings that occur accessible to the student body – including class meetings, committee meetings, SOBB meetings, and SAFAC meetings. I will have the officials that preside over these meetings set meeting times, and then post these times on the StudentUnion website so that all may attend. We all make up the Student Union, and we should all have a chance to participate in its functioning.
2. Continued Dining ReformAs the former Chairman of the Dining Services Committee, I know how important dining is to JCUStudents. Due to its importance, I want to draw on my former experience to bring further dining reform to campus. While Chairman of the Dining Committee, I saw that bringing in key reforms such as the Late Night Swipes Program and the Pasta Bar were beneficial to JCU Students. The positive change should not stop here though. As Student Body President, I will seek to expand the Late Night Swipes Program so that Blue Streaks may use it more frequently throughout the semester. I will also see to it that the Cafe continues to bring in more variety for JCU Students, improving the general dining experience for all.
3. A Balanced and Efficient SAFAC BudgetI know that Students want to see the money that they put into the Student Activity Fee bring the most benefit to their college experiences. As Student Body President, I will see to it that this money is distributed in the most efficient manner possible while including all parts of campus life. As the Vice President for Student Organizations, I am constantly dealing with money from theStudent Activity Fee when dispersing it to JCU’s excellent student organizations. I plan to draw on this experience to make sure that every dollar of the Student Activity Fee is spent in the best manner possible to benefit the Student Body.
4. Refocused Diversity InitiativesJCU has students who come from backgrounds of all sorts, which is something that makes us truly great. We are all able to benefit from our differing perspectives when working together. In the past though, diversity initiatives have sometimes focused on how we differ rather than highlighting our similarities. This is why as Student Body President, I want to create an environment in which we are more unified. I plan to do this by having Student Union reach out to diversity groups and bring our campuses differing perspectives together. I know this can be done, because as a Student Union Senator, I reached out and worked closely with the JCU Veterans Club, a group of older students here who have served our country. Refocusing diversity initiatives will reaffirm one thing that we all have in common – we are all students at John Carroll University looking to make the world a better place as men and women for others.
5. General Facilities ReformOne aspect that affects all of us on campus is the facilities we all use. That is why as StudentBody President, I will use my past experience in budgeting and working with JCU administration to improve our facilities. First, the Corbo Fitness Center is a place that Blue Streaks use every day, and it is critical to our well-being. A frequent user of the facility myself, I know that improvements can brought to it, which I will seek for JCU students. In addition to that, I will work with administrators to expand the hours of operation for the facility on weekends, giving studentsmore opportunities to better their health. Second, parking at John Carroll has long been an issue for JCU Students. As Student Body President, I will look to bring positive parking reform for JCUStudents by lowering rates for lesser quality parking and maximizing the utility our lots offer. Doing so will improve parking as a whole. Though these facility reforms may seem daunting, with effective leadership and the backing of the JCU Student Body, they can be done.