This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.
SGA Spring Elections are here! Elections are being held for SGA President, Vice President, and Trustee and voting will take place March 9th-11th on Campus Pulse.
This ticket is all female and includes Ellie Miske for President, Gabreille Cook for Vice President, and Emily Devenney for Trustee!
Ellie Miske – Candidate for President
Over the summer Ellie worked with the Current SGA Vice President, Emily Hajjar, on planning various projects. She attended meetings to represent UMass and the Student Voice. She worked closely with Student Activities and Involvement to plan and design “The Spot” and attended a University Roundtable with representative from each UMass and Governor Deval Patrick about affordable education. Through this Ellie gained experience planning for the upcoming year and managing the SGA Office. As Secretary of the Registry Ellie advocated for the needs of Students and Student Groups. For example, when she heard about the Blue Wall Construction she worked with the current SGA President to make sure the campus was informed about the issue. The Blue Wall construction was also going to eliminate RSO tabling and Ellie worked with Student Activities and Involvement to make sure that the Campus Center did not eliminate RSO tabling during the construction. In addition to making sure tabling wasn’t eliminated Ellie arranged supplementary RSO Tabling events. Ellie also designed the RSO Conference Room in room 411 Student Union and is expanding RSO storage space by getting more lockers in the RSO storage room (room 415 Student Union). These are all additional projects that Ellie did on top of Registry responsibilities such as staying in constant contact with RSOs, Student Activities and Involvement, helping students apply to be RSOs, going over RSO applications and planning Spring RSO Training. Prior to this Ellie was Governor or Orchard Hill Area Government and planned the annual three-day event “Bowl Weekend” and other area-wide events.
Gabrielle Cook – Candidate for Vice President
Gabrielle is a junior Political Science major with a Spanish minor and an International Relations Certificate. She is a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. Gabrielle was born and raised in Manalapan, New Jersey. Gabrielle is a member of UMass’ premier sketch comedy troupe ‘Sketch 22.’ Sophomore year, she served as Secretary of Student Valley Productions and helped to plan the Comedy Jam, a 2 day event that brings comedians from all of the country to perform alongside UMass comedy troupes. Freshman year, Gabrielle served as a Senator representing Southwest-South and as Vice-Chairwoman of the State and Federal Committee. Gabrielle helped to plan many events, such as Lobby Day. She also served as the Secretary of the Moore House Council, as the student designee on the Faculty Senate Outreach Council, and on the Summer Coordinating Council. Sophomore year, Gabrielle served as the Secretary of Outreach, Public Relations, and Recruitment. In this position, Gabrielle helped to create the “Women’s Mentoring Program,” an initiative to increase female participation and representation within in UMass Student Government Association. Gabrielle has interned for many New Jersey politicians and hopes to work in public service as an elected official. Gabrielle studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain during the Fall semester of her junior year. She lived in a home-stay, took all of her classes in Spanish, and volunteered every week at a primary school teaching English. Gabrielle loves to travel. She has been to 12 countries and plans to travel to many more in the future.
Emily Devenney – Candidate for Student Trustee
Emily is a junior from Hainesport, NJ pursuing a degree in Economics with a certificate in Civic Engagement and Service Learning. She is interested in the Student Trustee position because she is committed to empowering students and to increasing campus engagement. Emily became heavily involved as an advocate for students as a sophomore when she joined Access & Affordability of the Center for Education Policy and Advocacy. In the fall, she worked tirelessly registering students to vote, and in the early spring, she began work on a national student debt campaign. In February, she travelled to Highlander with two other CEPA members for a summit on student debt to strategize with students from across the country. Additionally, she helped to coordinate Public Higher Education Advocacy Day. In April, she was hired to be CEPA’s Policy Specialist for the upcoming school year. Her work continued through the summer as the UMass delegation leader for the United States Student Association’s National Student Congress. As Policy Specialist, Emily has completed extensive research about University governance, diversity and enrollment statistics, and student history. As a staff member of CEPA she is committed to developing leaders within the organization, and regularly meets with interns to collaborate on research endeavors. Throughout the year, she has worked collaboratively with the Student Government Association, Student Bridges, and other student groups. In addition to her work with CEPA, Emily is also an RA in Patterson in Southwest and a volunteer at The Literacy Project in Greenfield. Emily is committed to social justice work, and has been involved with the Community Engagement and Service Learning department for three years, first as a member of IMPACT!, and now as a member of the fourteenth cohort of the Citizen Scholars Program. Outside of school, Emily enjoys crafting, going down the Shore, horseback riding, eating, early mornings, and shoes. She is also a Pisces; she’s a great listener, empathic, and is committed to the success and happiness of those around her.
Alexa: Why do you want to be representatives of the Student Government?
Ellie: I love UMass and am constantly being more impressed by the great things that students are doing everyday! After being Secretary of the Registry and helping RSOs overcome the constant roadblocks that arise at UMass, I was inspired to take the next step to help students be successful! This role will allow me to do that.
Emily: I love UMass Amherst, and the love I have is what drives my passion to make it better. As a student, I feel that the best way for me to do so is by working with other students in our governing body because it is the best means we have of representing ourselves. Student Power is a very important issue to me, and ultimately, I want to run to empower students, not only as a collective, but such that every student on this campus feels like they matter, and that their experience is what is most important.
Gabrielle: My extensive experience in SGA has given me a great deal of insight into how this organization works and what the students need to see from us. I’ve been involved in SGA since Freshman year, so I have gained a strong passion for representing the student body. First, I was a Senator and Vice-Chairwoman of the State and Federal Committee. Sophomore year, I served on the Executive Cabinet as the Secretary of Outreach and Public Relations. This year, after studying abroad in Spain, I returned to the Senate on the Diversity and Student Engagement Committee. Through these various positions, I have learned what it takes to be an effective student leader!
Alexa: What are the benefits of having an all-female ticket?
Ellie: Having leadership positions filled by women is important. Women are often systematically denied from top tier positions, and challenging that will encourage other women to question these dynamics.
Gabrielle: When I was elected to the Senate freshman year, I was shocked by the lack of female representation in the SGA. Not only were there significantly fewer women than men in the Senate, but men held almost all of the positions of leadership. I recognized right away that this was an issue that needed to be addressed. The gender dynamic has improved since then, however it is important to acknowledge this issue and work towards better female representation.
Emily: The major benefit is that there has never been an all-female executive cabinet, so this is a big step for us! Our ticket also challenges the typical gender norms, which are especially invasive in political and governmental spaces. It’s also exciting because UMass Amherst’s first ever Student Trustee was a woman (her name was Cindi Olken)!
Alexa: What is the #1 reason students should vote for you?
Ellie: The #1 reason that students should vote for us is because we are a well rounded group of involved students. This means that we understand the struggles that students and student organizations are facing, and also have experience working with administration to find solutions. We will constantly be working to support the students at UMass and make their experience here better!
Emily: The number one reason students should vote for us is because we believe in them. I believe in student power, and my goal is to be an advocate for students, to use the position as a way to challenge the administration, and bring students’ wishes and demands to the table. I’m also working with two tremendous, committed women, who are committed to putting students first!
Gabrielle: DMC is putting students first! We are going to advocate for more financial support for students, create a support system for RSOs, find solutions and alternatives to a lack of space for student groups, advocate for student businesses, and fight to increase recruitment and admission of students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Alexa: Ellie, what has been your most noteworthy accomplishment as the Secretary of the Registry and how does that reflect on your ability to lead as President?
Ellie: My most noteworthy accomplishment has been my communication with students! I effectively registered and trained over 30 new RSOs on Campus while simultaneously strengthening the SGA’s relationship with the Center for Student Development and Student Organization Resource Center, designing the New Conference Room in 411 Student Union and making the Conference room booking and key systems more efficient.
Alexa: Gabrielle, how do you think your involvement with comedy on campus might help you to be a successful Vice President?
Gabrielle: My involvement in Sketch 22 has taught me to see the positive side of every situation, how to improvise in on-the-spot situations, further my leadership skills, work with a team, and have a sense of humor in stressful times. As an active member in an prominent RSO, Student Valley Productions, I have first hand knowledge about what the RSOs on campus will need to be successful for years to come.
Alexa: Emily, how has your involvement with the Center for Education Policy and Advocacy provided you with the necessary skill set to become to next Student Trustee?
Emily: When I began my work sophomore year at the Center for Education Policy and Advocacy (CEPA), I was not politicized, nor was I aware of the amazing work students were doing on my campus, and at universities across the country. The members of CEPA opened my eyes to the world of organizing and student power, and I haven’t looked back since. This year, I have worked as the Policy Specialist, and my work has included extensive research and analysis of University governance, building relationships with other students and student leaders, speaking with student leaders and administrators about the importance of shared governance, and working on a state-level campaign to win equal voting rights for all UMass Student Trustees. Through CEPA, I have gained a deep understanding of how to utilize a student leadership role in a way that empowers all students, and creates positive change. Additionally, I have worked closely with past Trustees, so I have a clear idea of what the job entails, what the challenges may be, and how best to connect with other students.
Alexa: How do you plan to address sexual assault on campus?
Ellie: I will work on how sexual assault is handled on campus through the subcommittee I am on, that is chaired by CWC, to evaluate and draft the University Sexual Assault Policy as it applies to students. We will also hold the University accountable to the standards of Title IX and the Clery Act, advocate for more utilization of the Center for Women and Community trainings, such as the Consent and Rape Culture Workshops and work towards integrating consent training into the “My Body, My Health” enrollment requirement test. We will also work with UMPD to incorporate sensitivity trainings for officers on how to handle sexual assault cases.
Alexa: How will you make textbooks more affordable and accessible for students?
Emily: We will work with the administration to find new options for affordable textbooks by pushing for divestment from eFollet, which is a for-profit company. We will advocate for new options, including a better selection of online texts, and for the employment of ethical suppliers. Additionally, we will encourage faculty to take students personal needs and backgrounds into consideration when selecting textbooks, and promote textbooks that are affordable and available at the library or through the interlibrary loan system. In the past, there was a student cooperative that sold textbooks, and I am personally in support of this avenue.
Alexa: How will you encourage and promote UMass pride?
Gabrielle: DMC will work to increase student presence at sporting events, Greek life events, theatrical performances, and cultural events by equally promoting and encouraging attendance to ALL events. We will also work to create visibility for sports of all divisions and genders. GO UMASS!
Alexa: What is the first and most important change you wish to make after you take office?
All: Considering our term starts when the semester ends our first goal will be to appoint a very involved, experienced, and diverse Executive Cabinet to work with for the following year!
Be sure to VOTE March 9th-11th on Campus Pulse!