Like it or not, you pay $10 per credit hour to Student Government. Isn’t it about time you learned what SG does? Or how about some ways to get that money back?
The coming week is the annual Student Government elections. During this time, students are asked to vote for the next reign of SG leaders.
But just what is Student Government?
“The Student Government Association to me is the voice of the students,” says Pablo Paez. “Our primary goal and our utmost priority must be serving the students in the very best of our abilities.”
Paez is the current Boca Raton Governor and the only candidate for SG’s highest rank: president.
Though many candidates are running uncontested this year, more students are involved than possibly ever. This is the first time in recent years that there are more students running than seats available, says Assistant Dean of Students Reginald Garcon.
In the Boca Raton Senate, there are 31 seats available. This year 52 candidates are fighting for those spots. In Broward, as many people are running as there are seats available. And in MacArthur 10 students are running for nine spots.
From days when all senators were automatically a shoe-in, things have changed.
To Garcon, he credits it to the campaigning of last year’s elections.
“I have to say thanks to Burak [Kuntay], that a lot of people got involved. That was a catalyst,” Garcon says.
But it could just be a change of times.
“There can be a lot of factors why so many students are running, SG just being around. A lot of program. Or SG working with athletics,” Garcon adds.
Whatever the case, this year students’ votes are even more important. The SG leaders decide how to spend the approximately $5.5 million dollar budget (that amount is not a misprint).
The following pages are responses from candidates. Maybe they’ll help you decide who to vote for.
The following are questionaires that were handed out to all candidates. As of press time, these were the only ones submitted.
President
There is only one candidate for this University-wide position.
Pablo E. Paez
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
1. “I am resolved to make the concerns of students my priority. Their concern in essence will be my concern, and I will treat it as such.
2. “We will make Student Government more visible and student friendlier.
3. “We want to continue to provide extended Library Hours during finals week.
4. “We will lobby to implement Parking Grace Periods, and we will use our resources to monitor the prompt completion of a Parking Garage.
5. “We will lobby at all levels (State, Local, and University) against Tuition Increases.
6. “We will provide increased Grants Funding for Graduate Students.
7. “We will establish a Book Vouchers Program – Students will be able to redeem books from the Bookstore with these vouchers.
8. “We will lobby our Administration for Enhanced Academic Policy, such as an extended Forgiveness Policy, etc.
9. “We will lobby our administration for the enhancement of Academic Programs.
10. “We will set aside funding for the refurnishing of areas for students to hang out.
11. “We will renew relations with other state universities and state-wide agencies to lobby strongly at all levels (State, Local, and University).
12. “We will make our Religious Diversity Festival a tradition at FAU.
13. “We will provide support and services, including programs and events, for International Students.
14. “We will provide media coverage for Sports Clubs and Athletic Teams using our media agencies.
15. “We will organize events like Tailgate Parties and Pep Rallies at Sporting Events in conjunction with our Athletics Department.
16. “We will continue to celebrate Black History Month, and we will establish a new tradition at FAU by celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
17. “We will have increased interaction between Student Government and Greek Organization.
18. “We will continue to support our Karen Slattery Child Care Center.
19. “We will establish a Mentorship Program working together with Alumni Affairs.
20. “We will enhance and increase our Student Government Services. When possible our services will be web-based.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Helping to make FAU an elite and leading University in the state and in the country by accommodating the needs of both our traditional and non-traditional students.”
VICE-PRESIDENT
There is only one candidate for this University-wide position.
Ancel Pratt III
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“One of the major concerns that I have is making sure we have individuals who are becoming involved with SGA to be committed to addressing students’ affairs and concerns first. Also, I would like to bridge the gap between the office and the officials of SGA and administration.
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Working on making sure the SGA Leaders of 2002-2003 leave a positive legacy and impression on the students entering, attending, and graduating FAU through the work that I have and plan to do. Motivate more positive future leaders to give their all to leaving FAU a better place than when we entered.”
BOCA GOVERNOR
Timothy Moore
David Johnson
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Our campaign focuses on 3 categories: Academic, Recreation, and Student Services
“Our major issues in academics focus on lobbying for an ‘extended forgiveness policy,’ working towards having an interactive library like many of the universities around the nation; and attaining a better 24-hour study center for students.
“One of our major issues in recreation is striving towards attaining amateur band activity on campus leading towards a more interactive, involved environment for students.
“Lastly, our major issues in student services include increased sponsored tutors, and striving towards a regular shuttle service to transport students around campus.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“We feel that all of the issues that have been discussed in our campaign flyers, and that I have discussed today, are extremely important to our ticket, as well as the students at FAU. We want to give our very best to the Boca students, to listen, and to act upon issues that carry great weight in the minds of the students. We want to help develop the academic and social progress of the Boca students, so that their lives on campus is a fulfilling, successful experience.”
Brandey Parker
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“I have a special interest in increasing student involvement and student pride in FAU. I am also concerned with making a more stable, cooperative, and accessible Student Government that is truly designed to meet the student’s needs. In addition, I plan to closely supervise A&S fee expenditures to make sure that student’s money is being used to benefit the student body at large. I also plan to help the Greek system, athletics, and our academic policies continue to improve and evolve.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“My main objective is to create an environment at FAU that doesn’t focus on bringing new students into our school, but keeping the current students at FAU, with feelings of contentment and pride, knowing that they are at a quality school with great opportunities to enjoy college life and to succeed.”
BROWARD
GOVERNOR
Gaston Garrido
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“I want to focus on the expansion of academic programs and a better organization of student services.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Expansion of student services.”
MACARTHUR
GOVERNOR
Ryan Raska
Danny Mangru
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Improving campus accessibility for students.
“Students need a library and a computer lab that will be open later during finals week (which we got for this semester for the first time).
“Students need to be able to park outside of their Residence Halls instead of parking a quarter mile away on campus, or having to park off-campus.
“Students need a quality soccer field, so that when they play they know they won’t get injured. (Student Government is working on a plan to repair the soccer field this year).”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Effectiveness.
“A lot of people have a lot of great ideas, but I want to be an effective leader who is able to motivate students and work with administration to make this campus a student-friendly campus.”
Brent Dell
TREASURE COAST
GOVERNOR
Alice McVay
BOCA SENATE
Only 31 positioms are available. There are 52 candidates.
Alan Siegel
Adela Hassan
Rizmeer Razik
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Major issues concerning my platform is, to increase library hours, extend forgiveness policy, better 24-hour study center, better parking for students, increase campus activity.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“If I get elected the personal importance to me would be learning leadership skills and to be a good leader, and to provide the best for FAU students.”
Dean Scorza
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Making FAU a top quality school, by having strong school programs, an active campus life, getting people involved with different clubs and events, but most of all having a strong student government to make sure student issues and concerns are taken care of properly.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“An important issue to me is making students more aware of what’s going on. Ways to achieve this is to introduce the students into student government and let them know where to go when they want their problems solved. Also, a more active campus life, like better activities to bring the students together. For the academic side, make more tutoring accessible, along with study groups.”
Bonnie Benson
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Supporting the arts and provide a voice for the grad students who represent 20% of the FAU student population.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Arts, esp. theatre. Fair and equitable representation of graduate students and support of multicultural and generational interaction.”
Samuel Mertius
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“The issues that I want to address are student housing, parking price, and meal plan price. I want to hear the concerns of the students.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“The issue of utmost importance to me is campus life. I want to help the campus to be more active in entertainment and help set diversity. I want to up lift the attitude on campus and help the students to enjoy their environment.”
Lissette Burgos
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Some major issues are parking, the unity of all 5 campuses, more residential life and activities on campus, library hours, dead week.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“The library hours, dead week, residential life, Greek life.”
Victor Lee
Taylor Tomack
Daryl Stevenson
Robert Stone
Jennifer Steelman
Vanita Lalwani
Amed Avila
Marc Schmulian
Nick Kalman
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Having been in the Senate for the past 3 years, I feel that we are making progress, but at no time have the students been as well informed about what services SG can provide as they could be. Student Government definitely needs to reach out more to students (who fund Student Government) and be a dependable liaison among students and members of FAU’s administration. For instance, Student Government leaders were very active in working with administration in order to get a much-needed parking garage built on campus (which is now in the process of construction).”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Although I do not live on campus, I represent many students that do and I believe very strongly that the mandatory meal plans ought to be done away with. It’s just no fair to make students who live on campus have to pay for a plan that they often do not use.
“I also believe that it is important for members of Student Government to understand that we are funded by the students, and that must always be kept in mind. Student Government officials should always be willing to lend a helping hand, be professional and show respect to the students that we serve.”
Sanjiv Anand
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“A proper allocation of money for student activities, by participating in the committee concerned with the Money Spending Policy.
“Effective lobbying at the house of representatives for the University issues.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“As an elected representative, I want to see: Support for International students activities, that should promote a better understanding of other point of views, extended hours and flexibility in the student use of amenities such as library, auditorium, sports activities, parking facilities; general enhancement of campus atmosphere; better childcare facilities.”
Vy Nguyen
Avia Huisman
Rifaz Razik
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“To educate students about SG.
“To help student concerns to be brought to administrative eyes
“To be the one to stand up and lead.
“Belief that I can put students above myself to service them.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“To increase and enhance the life of students.”
Michael Moore
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“A major issue for senate would be to end the petty bickering that has seemed to work it way back into Senate these past few weeks, and to be a bit more fiscally responsible. We seem to run out of money year after year around this time, and the fact of the matter is our fiscal year doesn’t end till July.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Encourage fiscal responsibility in the Senate. But to be perfectly honest, I want to see our Radio Station secure their LowPower FM license so that we can broadcast a bit farther than our parking lot. More power will encourage better programming and definitely increase our listening audience. My first “WIN” in the senate was to increase funding for station promotion. But unlike giveaways, LowPower FM is a promotional tool all its own.
“Corporate Radio plays mainstream music that promoters pay to get played, ever heard a song that you thought, “what is this and how is it on the radio?” that’s because someone paid big bucks to get it played. College radio around this country is owned by the people who listen to it, so you hear what you want to hear. Support College Radio, and LowPower FM!”
Alexander Williams
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Cultural awareness. Student involvement.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“To increase the involvement and diversity among the students attending University sponsored events.”
Juan Jaramillo
Eva Jeanty
Jennifer Kovacs
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Like every other student who is attending college through loans and grants I would really like to know how my school spends its money and if it is being put to good use. I am very concerned with the funding aspect of clubs and organizations that will help students in gaining a head start in their future.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“I think just knowing or even having an idea of how your school is being run holds great value to me. I would like more students to get involved. Also, I think volunteer work is an important issue, the more people give to a certain cause the more it will give back to you.”
Shawn Benyo
Sarah Locke
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“The issues concerning my platform include representing all clubs and allowing them to have more of a voice in Senate. I would like to advance the art department into the public eye more and allow them to provide more activities for the Department and the University.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“The issue that would be of utmost importance to me is to provide the Senate with truthful information supporting FAU’s various clubs. I would like to represent the FAU Art Department and allow them to have a voice in our University’s legislature.
Virgilio Torres
Narjis Mouslim
Rick Ansara
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Eliminate wasteful spending of students money by reducing the size and power of SG.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Keeping my word for any promises that I make. Working hard for the students. Putting students’ needs before politics. Always doing what is right, not more beneficial to me. Reducing the power of the senate speaker.”
Claudio Sorrentino
Kathryn Dyson
Daniel Wilson
Mamun Rahman
Josh Geib
Josh Gross
Michael Poprawski
Emmanuel Ciceron
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Social injustice, world politics, and school reforms.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Improving college life for commuters.”
Jason Perlman
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“One of my major issues is making this school more sociable. I would like to see more students living on campus and getting the wide spectrum of what this school has to offer by focusing on student clubs and organizations.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“I would concentrate on making clubs and organizations a major focus on my campaign. Clubs and student organizations are very important to me, because they are a way for students to get involved in school and make their school experience the best it can be.
Frantz Celestin
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Education – how student government can be used to improvement to improve education at FAU.
School spirit. Student’s involvement in student government.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Educational improvement would certainly be the most important because education the priority for every students at FAU. Everything else is secondary.”
Sherine Bayumi
Kuo-Hsinng Kim
Ibtissam Kheiri
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Enhanced advising services, more tutors to help student, more grants and scholarships for international students, delaying the add/drop deadlines, enhanced transportation on campus between buildings and off-campus for student who live near by, more parking lots, a friendlier campus, more interactive student life: organized trips to surrounding areas and to international destination, a cyber cafe with games for students to hang out.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“A closer attention to every student throughout the semesters to guide him/her toward the right decision for his/her major, take advantage of the programs, scholarships, leadership opportunities, and internships offered to the university, to build a strong base for their future.”
Dana Williams
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Opportunity for all students to implement their ideas with a fair chance to take advantage of our activity and service fees for their funding.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Reaching out to as many students on our campus so that I may try and address their concerns and improve them. And to make sure that activity and service fees will be available to any student through the Boca Student Senate all year long.”
Niveen Yaseen
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“I am very interested in strengthening the level of sensitivity to religious and cultural issue to augment the level of diversity and tolerance to others’ opinions and ways of thinking and contributing to a better FAU and a better society. As an American, it is my duty to do such. As a Moslem, I think much needs to be done at FAU to change the wrong image many have (due to twisted info broadcasted by the media) about Islam.
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“I wish to strengthen the role of Moslem females in the senate-especially women who are devout Moslems and wear the Hijab (headscarf). Furthermore, I wish to create an intellectual climate at FAU-we miss that even though we have an event that calls for such intellectuality: the Scholars’ Night.”
Barry Martin
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“The major issues concerning my platform are as folllow … club accountability and student involvement in campus life.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“The issue that would be of utmost importance to me is my commitment to serve the student body with honesty and due diligent.”
Edward Cifuentes
Shanitha Curry
Margarette Pierre
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Getting students’ concerns heard.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Student concerns.”
Abdul-Karim Barrie
Thomas Kraft
Alexander Schraff
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“As the University grows in size, it is imperative that Senators take the time to represent the views of graduate students and smaller, less established organizations on campus. Although each Senator is supposed to represent 500 different students, it has become the entire Senate representing the SAME 500 students.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“TO FIX THE ELEVATORS AT FLEMING HALL!”
BOCA-UNIVERSITY-WIDE COUNCIL AT- LARGE REPRESENTATIVE
Leocardy Pierre
BROWARD SENATE
Janet Vasquez
Richard Jarchow
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“The fact that the major players in the senate don’t understand how to get things done.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“The clubs in Broward are being pushed around by the Governor in Broward. The Senate needs to fix this.”
Robert Grieper
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Lower A&S fees.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Garnering a higher degree of student involvement throughout the university.”
Christina Decatur
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“I feel that matters of the Senate should be handled in a better and timely fashion. This past semester, I had the issue of no one knowing the status of any bills and allocation of funds (not at the fault of the Davie campus). I feel that we (Davie) should know more of what is going on at the Boca campus as far as issues concerning the Davie campus. Also, I feel that it is important to have students participate in activities on the campus. We need to have more people involved.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Since students are the ones who pay the tuition and student fees, I feel that more activities should take place on campus and that more students should be enthusiastic towards school spirit. We are here to serve the students, and they should get what they pay for. Also, I feel that all FAU the campuses should get together on a regular basis and participate with one another. We are all Owls after all!”
Ari Harrison
Jed Matricaria
Tal Shemtov
Veljko Nikolic
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Not enough communication between branches.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Bring more communication between the branches and between the campuses. Lobby for more diversity academic programs.”
Kelly Miller
Jamie Baron
Andre Kujawa
Keehren Richards
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Student awareness on the Davie campus including activities, funds, legislatives, communication.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“SG communication with students. Student involvement. Awareness. Appreciation of campus/university. Water fountains.
Marielle Drogo
Melody Leite
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“Well as a member of the senate I don’t really have a platform. I am there to listen to the bills that are presented to me fairly. I then try to figure out the most fair way to give all the students what they want. My first concern is what the students want and how can I best serve their needs. Currently I am working with the governor to better serve the students at the tower campus and also the graduate students. These are students that are frequently overlooked and I try to make sure that the budget we are given are used for all of the students not just a select few.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“Well there has been a tendency to neglect the students of the other Broward campuses and also the graduate students. I would like to see all students served by student government not just a select few.”
Freddy Rodriguez
BROWARD-UNIVERSITY-WIDE COUNCIL AT- LARGE REPRESENTATIVE
Robert Altieri
Andrew MacPhee
MACARTHUR
SENATE
Noemi Coltea
Susie Quintana
Chris Kelly
ennifer Williams
What are the major issues concerning your platform?
“The students.”
If you were to attain an elected position, what issue would be personally of utmost importance to you?
“The fair, equal and appropriate distribution and use of A& S fees for all FAU MacArthur Campus students.”
Maria Kostova
Amber Knox
Chauncey Graham
Mindy Mclester
Sheaniva Haynes
Autumn Widdoes
TREASURE COAST SENATE
Helen Marshall
Grace Williams
