Two Couples File for Top S.G.A. Positions

In announcing their candidacy, a pair of juniors and a pair of sophomores outlined their campaign pledges in speeches Tuesday evening.


CUSHING CENTER — Two tickets have filed election papers with the Student Government Association for the organization’s two top positions, president and vice president, according to the S.G.A. secretary of internal procedures.

Marissa Serafino ’12 and Andrew Marden ’12 are running against Ashley Pratte ’11 and Matthew Shaw ’11. Both campaigns filed election petitions as required by S.G.A. rules, according to the S.G.A. secretary of internal procedures, Alyssa Hatem ’12. The candidates also delivered speeches in the Cushing Lobby on Tuesday evening.

Ms. Serafino and Mr. Marden are both senators from the sophomore class. Ms. Pratte is president, and Mr. Shaw is vice president, of the junior class.

PRATTE-SHAW

Ms. Pratte and Mr. Shaw outlined six initiatives in their Tuesday speech, including weekly meetings with the Student Activities and Leadership Programs director; formation of a Commuter Student Council, in collaboration with the Multicultural Center; collaboration with Campus Activities Board and the Student Activities and Leadership Programs office to “ensure that all members of the campus are more inclined to participate in different events and activities on campus;” “make the issues of the student body a guideline for our agenda;” increase student-body awareness of S.G.A.; and create a new Office of Student Involvement.

The Office of Student Involvement office would include representatives from Student Activities and Leadership Programs, the Meelia Center for Community Service, the Multicultural Center, Campus Ministry, Campus Activities Board, the Athletics department, and the Dean of Students Office, according to the Pratte-Shaw campaign’s prepared remarks.

“This Office would allow for student club cooperation with the administration of the college creating a unique opportunity for the student voice to be heard directly by the administration,” Ms. Pratte and Mr. Shaw outlined in their speech.

SERAFINO-MARDEN

Ms. Serafino and Mr. Marden vowed to address issues with the housing lottery process, finding a place for students to study after midnight, and to accept additional suggestions through holding student forums. The housing process, for example, is backwards and should reward students who participate in activities and organizations on campus, they said.

“The current process dismisses disciplinary action and those students who respect the rules,” Mr. Marden said. “We believe in rewarding involvement with something everyone desires: good housing.”

The ticket also seeks to increase participation in S.G.A. by increasing student body awareness of the organization, and by bringing members together. They emphasize that, as sophomores, their administration would have the ability to run for reelection at the end of this term.

“It is time to utilize the resources available to us, such as a daily news Student Government update over the speakers in the cafeteria and a news report played on the school’s television station that can be recorded by the students trained to use cameras at the Institute of Politics,” Mr. Marden said. “Further, we will establish a working an[d] updated Student Government Website.”

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Photos: Each ticket, pictured as posted to their campaign Facebook pages.