These past couple of weeks have really been intense. I’ve gotten so little work done it’s kind of scary, but my advisor has been very chill and understanding about it.
What’s most impressive is the time that others have selflessly put into the campaign to make it a success, regardless of the election results. It has been a great experience to campaign, get to know groups of people I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and talk about the campus issues most pressing to students.
I have become a candidate for these elections on the graciousness of my friends and colleagues. I wanted to write this post prior to the election results being known, so that win or lose, it’s clear that the effort and dedication everyone that’s helped me has shown is what is important. Thank you.
elections for trustee are closed!
however, voting on the UA referendum is still underway– so if you haven’t voted yet, please cast your ballot on this topic. Please visit my elections information page if you want to know more.
This is the second most-often asked question while campaigning, right behind “why should I vote for you?” It was asked at the Candidate’s Forum last Thursday, and today while out chalking I was asked it a half dozen times. Every time, I’ve given incomplete or paused answers– but now that I’m in the comfort of my own office with no rush in the world, I’ve decided to nail down my answer once and for all.
The short answer: because this position provides an effectual opportunity for student interests to be represented, and my experiences and leadership style are germane and pertinent to the role.
The long answer: involves some background.
My first opinions of student government.
I was introduced to student government at UC Berkeley and saw it (to my disdain) as a huge popularity contest. That is after all what got you elected: how many folks you knew, and how you could mobilize them to support your candidacy. When I arrived at Cornell, I expected nothing different. However, I did have a lot of experience in IT security and knew my way around a campus environment, so I decided to stay aware of campus IT issues by enlisting in the SA’s committee to CIT.
Why I got involved with the GPSA.
After the T&AM department folded later that year, I wondered if there was anything we in T&AM could have done. My questions led me to the GPSA. It was set up to be a no-politics body– no public elections required to get involved, the executives serve to direct the work and are of similar “rank” to voting members; it’s just a bunch of graduate students that wanted to stand up for students.
When a number of issues that interested me became the business of the GPSA, I got involved in the debates. Later, a voting seat was vacated, and I was torn between my drive to stay involved and my distrust of campus positions that require elections. Regardless, I decided to throw my hat in the ring and have enjoyed the position.
Why I’m running.
I believe I speak the same language of college experiences as many students at Cornell. My influence on the GPSA has been colored by my business-grounded background, which has helped me sometimes (in strategic planning and translating goals to action items), but has hurt me too (when jockeying for votes, primarily). Thankfully, the Board of Trustees operates by consensus and not by razor-thin voting margins.
I take my responsibilities on the GPSA seriously, but I also recognize that a majority of campus politics do not affect students. Life would go on if student governments didn’t meet for a month, or a semester. Nevertheless, governance groups provide a chance to make a difference. I have cherished the opportunities to be a positive force for students and to speak out on issues that can change peoples’ experiences on campus for the better, both here and at UC Berkeley.
This evening, the Daily Sun Student Elected Trustee Forum took place between myself and the other candidate. It consisted mostly of about fifty minutes of back and forth questions from the moderator, Keenan Weatherford, and the two other current student-elected Trustees. One question was taken from the audience at the end. It all went by pretty fast.
The Result.
At the end of the forum, I approached the writer from the Daily Sun and she mentioned that there doesn’t seem to be too much a difference between the two candidates. That’s somewhat true– we both see academic excellence as a priority; we both view the proposed budget changes with guarded skepticism; we see the Trustee’s role as an advocate’s rather than an activist’s. I could see how some would see the two of us as similar.
My Response.
Maybe it’s just my being at this campaigning thing for a little too long, but I do feel we are in fact very different candidates with differentiated leadership styles. I will speak for myself: I have chartable legislative successes, both as a committee member and as chair. I also have experience turning strategy into action and know the punctuated differences between the two. The content of my experience is very distinct and (I feel) well suited for a position on the Board of Trustees, especially the business-driven environment of my work at UC Berkeley. The topics to which I’ve devoted my time here at Cornell as a GPSA member are few in number and have wide impact, and I try to find common ground with a decisionmaking body in order to push business forward. I choose the topics for which I advocate deliberately.
I urge those who guard their votes diligently to ask members of the GPSA for their thoughts, or to look in the minutes of GPSA meetings and at the committee work (R.11, R.13 are where I had direct impact; R.17 is also important) that’s been done this year. Just talking to one or both of us is a great way to get started, and my door and mailbox are always open. However, I’m aware that’s asking a lot from the average Cornell student, who’s already overburdened with exams this time of the semester.
About the Article.
The Daily Sun article was well written and I think captured many of my own personal viewpoints and the different experiences the two candidates have (ack, I just referred to myself in 3rd person). However, since the fence issue is delicate, I would encourage the motivated reader to hear my full position, posted here.
Overall, it was nice that five of the eight audience members were my personal friends– but that generated a bit of anxiety too since I realized my friends don’t often see me on the chopping block like this. Nevertheless, talking about student government, my plans as trustee and my personal beliefs is practically a pastime– just ask my colleagues. All I needed was the fruity beverage, cocktail umbrella and sunglasses and I would have been ready to talk for a lot longer than 90 seconds per question.
I had this great idea today that I’m sure nobody would oppose!
Minor in Piracy
Offered jointly by: Department of History, Cornell Law School, and Cornell Naval ROTC
Administered by: Commanding Officer, Cornell Naval ROTC
Eligibility
Arts & Sciences undergraduates affiliated with all Arts & Sciences Majors are eligible to participate in the Piracy Minor.
Educational Objectives
This Minor is aimed at providing a focus for students who are interested in piracy, either on the high seas or for ye land lubbers.
Requirements
(a) At least one course must be chosen from groups 1, 2, 3, and 4.
(b) At least one course must be chosen from groups 5 and 6.
(c) At most one 200-level course may be chosen.
(d) At most one course may be chosen that is offered by the student’s Major department.
- Group 1: Geology. To determine where to bury your treasure.
- Group 2: Sailing. To competently respond to your Captain’s orders.
- Group 3: Fencing. To defend yourself, when necessary.
- Group 4: International maritime law. Also to defend yourself, in a different sense.
- Group 5: Stellar navigation. To find your way at night.
- Group 6: Cartography. To find your way with a map
Academic Standards
At least a grade of A(rrrr) for each course in the Minor.
Accolades upon Commencement
Students who successfully complete the Piracy Minor will be entitled to replace their mortarboard with a bicorne, as shown below.
The background story
While campaigning, someone suggested this (with a straight face, but I assume jokingly) as a minor that Cornell should adopt. I thought it was pretty funny and got carried away as soon as I opened photoshop. I have deep respect for President Skorton, and I by no means am implying that he has any pirate-like qualities. Except perhaps the intensity.
The template for this academic minor was stripped from the Applied Mathematics minor, which I’m uncertain even exists anymore.
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