Get to know your presidential candidates

The Miscellany News asked the VSA presidential candidates to respond to the following questions:

1. How do you see the role of VSA President? Does the president represent the entire student body, or concerns he or she believes the student body should be addressing?

2. What room do you see for improvement based on the VSA in the past academic year?

3. How would you plan on working with administration?

VSA debates will be held Thursday, April 7 6:30—8 p.m. in the Retreat.

Dennis Farr ’06

1. A representative democracy's structure prevents individual megalomania. Thus, an official can confidently represent his or her concerns as they are balanced by the support and opposition of others.

2. The VSA needs to see itself as responsible to the class electing it, as well as to all subsequent classes. The president must see him or herself inhabiting a position of national stature, and act accordingly.

3. While the administration is to be extended every courtesy, my primary objective is to work against any possible compromise of the student body's autonomy, validity and expression.

Chris Galli ’06

1. I see the main role as making sure everything under the VSA works as effectively as possible. By virtue of having frequent meetings with administrators, the VSA President has a strong voice in student representation. It's therefore very necessary for him or her to have great communication with the entire student body, and have an organized council to represent the concerns of their constituencies.

2. I believe the VSA has a solid structure. However, better information can be given to students so that everyone has a greater awareness of the available channels for expressing their concerns and knowing what resources are available to them.

3. Diplomacy is my civil union name. I will apply what I learned in my previous positions of Lathrop House President and Development Intern to be very effective in serving as an advocate to ensure that administrative decisions result in what is best for students.

Adam Lee ’06

1. The primary role of the VSA president is to be the chief student advocate, working tirelessly with the executive board and council to address the issues affecting the campus. While certainly the presidential candidate should have an agenda, it is the responsibility of the VSA president to embrace the concerns of the entire student body.

2. The current VSA executive board has served students well. As the baton is passed on from there is certainly the need to improve the openness in communication between college administration and the student body.

3. It is my intention to meet with administration on a regular basis in the interest of gathering information about matters concerning the life of students academically, socially and otherwise. My fellow students, which includes the 2,400 plus population is to whom I have allegiance. My constant focus will be as advocate for students. I will work alongside administration, but not for administration to meet these ends.

Rob Gestone ’06

1. I see the roll of the VSA president as being made of wheat and topped with sesame seeds. I also plan on adding some cream cheese and jelly to it if I get the chance.

2. I see room 416 of Noyes as being a vast improvement next year.

3. Well, first I plan on doing about 20-25 minutes on the bike for some cardio workout. Then I'll probably do a few reps on the bench and have the administration spot me for that. I'd end with a ten-minute ab workout to keep my stomach nice and toned.

Samir Halilovic ’06

1. Predsjednik radi ono sto se njemu/njoj radi naravno; ma kakva reprezentacija.

2. Cista autokratija.

3. Ne planiram sa njima raditi uopste.

Rick Rodems ’06

1. The VSA President's role is primarily that of a facilitator and communicator. The president is responsible for making sure that the VSA functions smoothly and responsibly while maintaining useful communication between the administration and the student body. The president does represent the entire student body and like any elected representative brings a part of him/her self and his/her concerns to the table.

2. Clear, regular communication with an informed student body is a perennial issue for the VSA and visibly came to the fore over the past year. Improving communication is my top priority and I would also like to begin a campus discussion on what it means to be a student at a selective liberal arts college while keeping issues of class and power in mind.

3. It is amazing how much you can get done with an open ear and an open mind. I already have a good relationship with the administration and I plan on continuing to be a strong voice for students.