First-Year Students Seeking
Spots in Student Senate

By Anthony Perrozzi
CyberNews Staff Reporter

Friday, April 12, 2002

Yet again, the sight of countless colored paper fliers graces the interior and exterior of Drake University's dorm complexes, resource centers and the buildings where classes are held. This can only mean that students are campaigning for an opportunity to be a part of the 2002-2003 Student Senate. During April 8-9, the offices for positions as student senators-at-large will become vacant and will offer ten spots for prospective campaigning students to obtain through an online election that determines the winners by popular majority vote. There is something unique about this year's candidates running for the senator-at-large positions. There are more first-year students running than any other year classification.

These first-year students have distinctive perspectives about student issues and are extremely motivated to improve the campus and the surrounding Des Moines community. Although this is an exceptionally enthusiastic group of first-year candidates, they face substantial obstacles because they are relatively inexperienced and new to the campus environment.

"Trying to get your name out to students is very difficult, especially because I am a first-year student. I'm still getting to know people and running my campaign all by myself. It takes experience and time management skills. But I feel I am handling it pretty well," Melvin Givens (J1) explained.

When campaigning, student senator candidates are usually encouraged to run on a political platform that addresses three general main goals or priorities that they would want to achieve if they were elected. This year, first-year students are unusually confident and certain about the exact issues that they think need to be addressed.

"I have two specific issues that would be addressed if I was elected as a senator-at-large: diversity and communication," Drew Gulley (AS1) said. "I represent several different organizations and ideas, and therefore I think that I am a diverse student. I believe that every person's concerns and perspectives are important in forming a healthy campus. As for communication, I believe that the Interorganization Council (IOC) could be used to promote speaking, cross-programming, and organizing between the many organizations at Drake. The relatively new council has not been upkept or used to its full extent and would make it convenient for senators to communicate with every club."

These candidates understand that even if they are elected, their ideas and plans may not be accepted. Even so, first-year candidates are satisfied merely with the opportunity to take a leadership position and to attempt to find creative ways that might improve Drake's campus environment.

"I want to initiate as much change as possible. I can facilitate and encourage speaking about ideas, but I know that I cannot force these ideas if most students don't agree with them," Gulley said.

First-year candidates have been emphasizing actual participation over apathy. Since they have yet to prove themselves as effective senators, they have the opportunity to institute new change without criticism or skepticism from Drake students.

"I chose to run for office because I wanted to be more active and to become a strong leader on campus. I wanted to have a role that allowed me to actually help out and organize events and publicity instead of just being some attendee at a meeting. I want to make Drake more appealing to freshmen by actively taking a role in shaping Drake's appearance," Givens said.

Online voting for the senator-at-large candidates will begin at 11 a.m. on April 8 and close at 7 p.m. on April 9. Logon to the Drake Web site and cast your vote at www.drake.edu/students/life/elections to choose your future student senator-at-large representatives.