Statements of Student Senate candidates

I have always been very interested in helping myself. This may at first seem like an egotistical statement. Take some time to consider what it means. If I represent you in student senate, I will in fact help you as well. I, like you, am a student. Despite differences in our appearance or lifestyle, we all want the same thing: a great college experience. I hope that through a seat in the student senate, I will be able to greatly increase the quality of student life at Oberlin, and in doing so, increase the quality of my own life as well. I am open to any and all suggestions regarding how life here can be improved: trust me, I know what it's like to be unhappy with one's situation, and will listen to your problems. In fact, I'll even listen to your problems if I don't get elected; I just won't be able to do much about them. So, now I ask you for that one extra favor. Vote for me, and have your needs met, your ideas heard, and your life enhanced, all through Patrick Proctor's seat on the student senate.

I am Nnenna Onumah, a first year lack student majoring in Chemical Engineering. I am from Nigeria, in West Africa, and would like to run as a senator.

Being a senator is a job I feel requires a lot of work, dedication and most of all interest, and I acquire all these skills. There are also other abilities a senate must have, and I feel they are good communication skills, cooperation and willingness, and also universal mediation. Coming from a diverse cultural background, communication is one of the key factors to success. I have the ability to not only communicate but to also communicate in a positive and pleasing manner.

Cooperation and willingness is an ability I feel a senator must posses. I have the ability to cooperate with everyone including those I work with and those I do not. I have always been willing to do any job, no matter the task, that comes knocking at my door. Especially ones which open the door to opportunities for me.

Lastly but not least, universal mediation must be adhered to. Since this organization is a government for the people and of the people, I feel that I have the abilities to voice out and try to come to a solution of people's problems no matter the color or race.

If you want an energetic, cheerful person to represent you in the Oberlin Senate, I am a good choice. If not, don't vote for me. You'll hurt my feelings, but I'll never know it was you and I'll get over it. That's life. I know when to accept my losses, but I am determined to reach for what can be achieved, and I believe that my great enthusiasm and energy would be a tremendous asset to Oberlin. Once I get involved in something, I become very dedicated to the cause. I will get naked if I must to get your attention. Everyone deserves to be heard, and I am quite loud, so I will make sure your ideas are communicated (but you have to vote for me first). In terms of experience, I have quite a bit, so I would not only be a very active member of this organization, but an effective one, too. I am flexible (not only in the physical sense), but also very independent. This is vital for any type of cooperation, which is necessary to achieve any goal. I am not shy. Communication is always a plus when you are trying to get your points across, and that has never been one of my weak spots. I would like to be elected to the Senate because I feel that such a job is not meant for someone to just sit around and discuss issues. Something must be done about them. If this sounds good to you, vote for me, Micah Thorner, for Senate, and I will do the best I possibly can to make the most of my position.

My name is Erika Hansen and I'm a first-year student running for a seat in the student senate. I'm an optimist, a humanist, a feminist, an environmentalist, and an all around liberal kinda gal . Isn't that neat. So why should I be your a student senator? Because more than anything, I am a LISTENER. I am also severely disappointed with the self-segregation I've witnessed on campus. We have at our disposal a microcosm of cultures and ideologies, but the expression of these viewpoints does none of us any good if everyone is so wrapped up in their own personal trip that they begin the think that there is only ONE correct way in which to perceive a situation. My presence on Oberlin Student Senate would be beneficial because I contend that people can be brought together and I will work my butt off trying to achieve that. If you have any questions concerning my perspective on an issue that's dear to you, feel free to e mail me and I will try to respond.

I am running because I can be a good representative of my classmates. My high school was a partial democracy with students and teachers sharing power, so I have experience. On some issues I was a leader and I always stood by what I believed. Unfortunately, like most people, I am not perfect. I made mistakes and angered both students and teachers. From these experiences I learned about the misuse of power. A few times I fell into mob mentality and I also made decisions because of anger or ignorance rather than well thought out ideas. These experiences will help me be a good senator. It is easy too misuse power, even with the best of intentions and my past dealings with democracy will benefit myself and Oberlin in the future. I can not say I am the best candidate running or if I will do the best job, I just know I will put forth all my effort to be the best Senator I can be.

I have been part of campus politics for over a year, and I have been most concerned about a few issues. Initially, I would like to be an advocate for low-income students and for the return of need-blind admissions. My second primary focus is on making the new Senate really a NEW SENATE. I am deathly afraid that Senate has merely changed on paper and not in reality, and would like to do my part to make sure that prediction does not come true. Lastly, I would like to work towards making Senate an advocate for students, a body that speaks WITH the student body, rather than FOR it.

My name is Kevin Guzman. I am running for Student Senate this year. I am a write in candidate. This means that my name does not appear on the ballot and you must write it in the designated area if you wish to vote for me. I am a member of several organizations here on campus. I am a member of La Alianza, Student Labor Action Coalition, the International Socialist Organization, the OSSU, and FAACT. I have several goals I wish to accomplish this year. I am involved in an attempt to unite the several left wing and labor activist groups here on campus in an effort to create some kind of a united front which will aid in the accomplishment of each groups respective goals. Also, being a low-income student myself, I hope to work towards improving the relationship between the college and low-income students, and create some sort of system that offers support for these students. So, vote for me and remember to write in Kevin Guzman on your ballot, thank you.

Hi, I'm Yvonne Doble, and you've probably seen me running around - I've made a habit of being incredibly over- committed the past 2 years. Ask anyone who knows me. I'm involved with several organizations, including Oberlin Student Cooperative Association, Oberlin Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Union, the Fair Aid and Admissions Coalition Taskforce, and the restarting of the Low Income Students Alliance. I have also sat on various faculty/staff committees. However I don't think those make me qualified. What does is the fact that I am committed to working with low-income students, students of color, and other voices that are not always heard - especially on issues such as financial aid, student support, our relationship with the town, and cultural studies programs. I will sincerely do my best to not only listen, but seek out the concerns here on campus and forward them to the utmost that senate can.