For candidates’ full statements, please visit http://www.oberlin.edu/stuorg/senate/election/statements.html.

Justin Brogden
Running for Student Senate once, let alone three times, is not something I ever thought I’d have the courage to do. However, not only am I making a third attempt and hoping it’ll be the charm, I created a group, Reform Oberlin Student Senate (ROSS), in hopes that I could help get other people elected. When you believe in something strongly enough, it’s worth the risk. And I believe in Oberlin. I love its rich history, but Oberlin cannot rely on history alone. With increasing tuition, dwindling diversity and tension over Oberlin’s image we may very well be at a crossroads. Student Senate is our voice and it must be clear. With a new President, a new era at Oberlin College has begun. It’s time for a new era of Student Government as well. I encourage you to visit www.rossatoberlin.org for more information about ROSS.

Lillie Chilen
I am a fifth year double-degree voice and art history student from Kansas City. I’ve worked for the Conservatory Dean’s Office for four years under various titles (“Special Projects Intern” and “Artist Recital Series Artist Liaison”) where I have learned to smoothly liaise with administrators. The length of my tenure at Oberlin, my experience working with our lovely administration and my ridiculous work ethic thoroughly qualify me for Student Senate. Famed senator Colin Koffel recently described me as “dedicated to representing student interests, making Oberlin a better place, involved, smart and astute” to Student Senate. Please know that my class was the first to get screwed by ResEd in off-campus housing, I care a lot about interdisciplinary collaboration, and that I am quite interested in respectful discourse between those who pay to be here and those who are paid. I am a lovely choice for Student Senate.

Renee Covey
As a third-year politics major, I’m concerned with the direction in which our campus is headed, what with all the changes our “strategic plan” is putting into action, a new president and a history of a lack of transparency. I want to make sure that there is an open dialogue between the administration (including the president) and the student body. I think students deserve to know and affect what their tuition is being spent on. For example, as great as the new café in the library is, where did the money come to pay for it? What of the huge debt that the College has accrued? The Student Senate represents the voices of the students, and they need to step up and make themselves heard both by the administration and the student body. Not enough of the campus believes in the Senate, nor makes use of the resources that it provides.

Brett Foreman
I’m a second-year politics major and tentative French minor interested in working abroad. Unfortunately my space here is very limited, so please look at my Facebook group for more detailed information on my proposals. In short, I support improved Winter Term infrastructure, a need-blind admissions policy and allocating more resources into research and development of the use of renewable energy on Oberlin’s campus. I have been endorsed by East Hall.

I’m an active member of the Oberlin College Democrats and serve as Chapter Coordinator for Oberlin’s Students for Barack Obama. For those of you who do not support Barack Obama, I must stress at this point that if elected I will not allow campaign politics to influence my proposals as a senator. If elected, I will represent you, and only you – the students of Oberlin College.

Stephen Graves
I am a first-year at Oberlin and also in OSCA, an incredible community which is entirely student run, and also something uniquely Oberlin. As a senator I will work to further the interests of OSCA and other student led groups and make sure that the student’s voices are both feared and respected by the administration. I believe that this is, after all, much more our College than it is theirs, and as such it exists to serve us, rather than the other way around.

As Trotsky puts it in his The Revolution Betrayed, “Bureaucracy and social harmony are inversely proportional to each other.” If elected, I will work to further student interests, such as the right to live off-campus, the right to take more than 16 credits a semester without paying exuberant fees and the right to privacy (i.e., no Orwellian I.D. swipes by Safety and Security at parties).

Sara Green
I’m a fourth-year GAWS major and Politics minor. My understanding of staff and administration comes from working many different campus jobs. As tour guide, RA, and alumni fundraiser, I’ve done plenty of PR spin for the administration. At this point in my Oberlin career, I’d rather be serving my peers. Familiar with its rhetoric, I’m aware of what kinds of changes the administration will support. I will encourage the school to adopt “educational discounts,” saving students money without taking any away from the college. The school often pats itself on the back for its progressive history in terms of gender and race, though it currently glosses over issues of class. I will encourage the school to be more self-conscious about how its decisions affect the different intersections of the student body. I am a hard worker who is friendly, approachable, and looking to advocate for your student needs.

Louis Grube
Louis Grube has already served on Student Senate for one whole year. To be completely honest, he didn’t know what he was getting into last year. This year, however, he knows exactly what he is getting into. Louis has done a few good things in his time as a senator. A short list of accomplishments includes serving as an adviser to the Presidential Search Committee, serving on committees including the judicial review board, and serving as the Committee Coordinator, interviewing an uncounted number of students for committees last year, and 12 so far this week, with around six more on the way for this coming Sunday (thats a lot for one week). Louis likes working hard for the Student Body of Oberlin. He loves to listen to student opinions! He also enjoys sailing and making/eating burritos, although no longer professionally.

Jon Harmatz
I am going into my third year here and I believe many things can be improved in order for Oberlin to become a safe and ideal community for students to live in. I have always lived in dorms and I’ve seen proof that ResEd policy needs to be changed and as a student senator I would be in a prime position to do so. The housing process should be equitable so that everyone has the opportunity to live where they want. Student Senate has not released minutes since March 11, 2007. This is unacceptable. As a Student Senator I would be open, honest and accountable to the Student Body. You’ll know where I stand because I will be truthful and I will push forth any resolutions that would be beneficial to the entire student body. If you are looking for more information concerning me or ROSS please visit www.rossatoberlin.org.

Ian Hilburgar
Hello all,

I am a fourth-year geology major and environmental studies minor. Over the past three years I have been very involved in many organizations and institutions here at Oberlin. I love this college and the city and that is why I am running. Despite what a great place Oberlin already is, there is a lot we can do together to change it for better.

Things that I am currently involved in: Bonner Scholar Class of ’08; Site Coordinator of Head Start for America Reads; Captain of Oberlin College Water Polo team; teacher of the water polo ExCo; member of OSCA and Brown Bag Co-op; Nicaragua Sister Co-op Committee representative

Issues that I am especially interested in: ResEd housing and dining policies; Campus Environmental Sustainability; the role of sports at Oberlin College; need-blind admissions policy.

Elizabeth Huff
I’m going on my second year here at Oberlin, and I feel a young face is very important on such an influential governing body. With a new year and a new president, many things need to be done. As a student of a multicultural background, I feel it is important that Oberlin continues its commitment to diversity. This doesn’t just include increasing the number of students of color, but providing better funding to all organizations and designating gender neutral bathrooms in academic buildings so that everyone feels welcome here, as they should. My current and former employers have described me as reliable, responsible and mature and if you vote for me I will continue to be the same respectable person people have come to know.

Colin Jones
In my two years on Senate, I have worked on forums, elections, working groups and committees. I have been part of a Senate that has expanded access to gender neutral housing, raised green building standards, and pushed for inclusion of student voices at every turn. My record shows I am deserving of a final term.

My work with SFC is incomplete. Student discontent and mutual suspicion mark the current allocation process. I have passed motions that have raised caps on club sports and concert producing groups. The body as a whole has responded to student concerns, including a large contribution to a multi use performance arts space on campus. Even so, SFC has decided to break from the past by staying within our actual budget. That change means groups are feeling the squeeze. These resource issues are larger than SFC.  I will help student groups shift towards professionalized fundraising.

Johannes Jungschaffer
Why should you vote for Johannes Jungschaffer for Student Senate? Because I feel that I have a unique connection to all students on this campus. As a senior student-athlete I offer a deep understanding of issues that Oberlin must deal with that runs deeper than my four years at Oberlin College. Having also lived in Oberlin a majority of my life has inspired me to take part in the shaping of this town and college as we move to the future. I hope to do this as a Student Senator.

Some of you may know me as a soccer player, others from class, or maybe socially from hanging out at the ‘Sco. To those people and all of you whom I have not met, I urge you to vote for me as a hard worker, who strives to be his best at everything I do, including being a Student Senator.

Ben Klebanoff
My name is Ben Klebanoff, and I am running for re-election to the Student Senate. I ran previously on a campaign to reduce bureaucracy and increase accountability. Over the past year, much has been accomplished—more can and must be done.

I introduced a measure to increase the accountability of SFC, and sat through many meetings brainstorming how to improve interactions with SFC. More must be done. SFC has not increased their accountability, and has instead not funded some of the largest organizations on campus for this next year. This is a problem.

Additionally, the Senate has become more accountable. I led the charge to remove Senators who were not fulfilling their duties to the Student body. The Senate has a more open website, which now posts all the rules which govern our institution. The Senate’s actions have been discussed more in the open forums of our campus. [...]

Nancy Nguyen
I am rerunning for Student Senate and hope you will give me your support and vote.

Issues I am passionate about:

ResEd: As a former RA, I know the frustrations facing students regarding numerous issues which I am committed to reform, including off-campus housing, dining/board options & costs, party regulations, and employee wages.

Access to educational funding: As a McNair scholar, I think it is pertinent that we receive funding for educational activities, such as different cultural/political studies, and continue to fund research opportunities for first generation/low-income students.

Increasing admissions for minority students: Oberlin has seen a decrease in the number of students of color that matriculate each year. Working with admissions, I have helped with Multicultural Visit Program weekends and coordinated different events for prospective students that showcase Oberlin’s talent. If re-elected, I will continue to support opportunities to attract and increase the number of minority students.

Matthew O’Connell
Student Senate is the way that Oberlin’s student body can act as a whole to advocate for change on campus. Student Senators may come in with their own ideas about what needs to be done on campus (in terms of environment responsibility, diversity of students and faculty, etc), but ultimately Senators are responsible to their fellow students for what they’ve actually spent their time doing. Although I have my own ideas of changes that should happen at Oberlin, I will come in with as open a mind as possible to listening to what you want and how you think senate should run. Also, previous senator Leah Pine gives me her personal thumbs-up.

George Oma
Hey, I’m George Oma and I’m originally from DC but spent the majority of my life in Olney, MD. During the last year I have spent in Oberlin I made sure I was heavily and totally involved and committed to whatever I was a part of. I have been involved in such groups as the African Students Association (of which this semester I am a Co-Chair), and ABUSUA (of which I am also a Co-Chair of this year), as well took part in being a program assistant at Afrikan Heritage House and a Bonner Scholar (shout out to mama Donna and the sophomore Bonners) I enjoy being active in the Oberlin Community and working closely with other students at Oberlin. Additionally, I would like to be given the opportunity to work administratively and edify Oberlin’s campus in any way I can. [...]

Kate Riley
Last year, when the slogan “Fearless” was introduced into admissions materials, everyone I spoke to was concerned and outraged. Students seem similarly unhappy with the College’s plans to phase out off-campus housing and reduce the size of OSCA, along with other changes related to the Strategic Plan. As someone who cares deeply about Oberlin’s strong sense of community, I would like to work to increase the transparency of the college and make more room for student input in the administration’s decision-making processes. Since arriving at Oberlin last year, I’ve been involved with OSCA (Fairkid being my co-op home), WOBC and The Oberlin Review. I’m also very interested in seeing Oberlin become a climate neutral campus and in building a stronger relationship with the city of Oberlin.

Raj Sheth
Hey! My name is Raj Sheth, and I’m from Chicago, IL. Typically, you see upperclassmen running for Student Senate; however, I feel that it’s beneficial to have a first-year student such as myself in the Student Senate. I’ll represent the first-year class of Oberlin and bring in ideas/perspectives into Oberlin that are completely new while accommodating upperclassmen requests as well. To me, catering to the general student is the first priority! Dorm modifications, organizing concerts, expanding diversity, providing more internships and coming up with more financial solutions for the students also stand out. In the process, I’d like to strengthen connections by working with the rest of the Great Lakes College Association. Cooperation with more schools can expand our networking in order to have accomplishments such as fundraisers, community service, and school unity. Overall, it’s about the student. [...]

Marc Shinn-Krantz
How we eat and how we live is a central aspect of our Oberlin experience. Having lived and dined in a dorm, a co-op and now off campus, I understand both the enjoyable and frustrating aspects of each. I am running for Student Senate because I want to improve the residential part of our Oberlin experience.

My first year at Oberlin, out of frustration with ResEd, I attended a Housing and Dining Committee meeting to vent my anger. I was offered an opportunity to serve on the committee as a means of actually helping to change things. I am now a senior, still serving on the committee, and I have developed good working relationships with the people in ResEd.

If you elect me to the Student Senate, I would continue working to address concerns and achieve the interests that students and ResEd have in common.

Thank you.

Alix Simonson
Want fresh ideas? Elect a freshman! Now that there’s a brand new class of first-years, an entire quarter of the school is unrepresented on Student Senate. Acceptable? I think not! Alix Simonson is willing to work for you and to change the things you want to change. Want better composting in the dining halls? She’s on it! Want more bike racks installed outside Peters? She’s on it! Want all the hipsters run off campus with pitchforks? She’s on it! (Not really. Alix Simonson represents the interests of hipsters as well… as long as they’re not too jaded to vote for her.) Still not convinced? Well, she also bakes delicious chocolate chip cookies, and since she’s willing to work for you, she’s also willing to bake for you. Vote Alix Simonson today!

David Sokoll
Since arriving at Oberlin I have felt a strong connection to the College, the students and the staff.  Oberlin is a unique place that provides ample opportunities for growth. Yet, it could offer more. There seems to be a wall between the student body and the College and my aim is to break that wall down. Individually our voices may be heard but together they cannot be silenced. We the students should have a say in the governing of our fine institution and together, with the College and the town, we can make Oberlin the best it can be. Let us work together to increase the College’s commitment to environmental needs, not only within but also in the world around us, to the student’s right to be heard, and to the staff’s rights to fair treatment - not just professors but all the staff. Together we can make a difference.

Luke Squire
I am proud and excited to call Oberlin home for the next four years of my life and will work hard to change what is limiting the school from reaching its full potential. This college has a long way to go to achieve climate neutrality and many measures need to be taken to increase the college’s role in promoting positive socio-economic growth in the town. As a member of OC Democrats, OC ACLU, and Amnesty International and as co-chair of East’s hall council, I know how to get involved to effect change. Along with the town’s mayor, the public school’s superintendent, and the OC Dems, I have already begun campaigning for reforming the regressive tax that burdens this town. As senator, I will continue working hard to change both Oberlin College and the community. Most importantly, I will never forget that I am serving to represent you, the student body.

Endorsed by East Hall.

Arden Surdam
The Oberlin community is a unique body, which requires active student involvement in order to license change. As a member of such a community, I feel it is my responsibility to participate. If elected, I would not only fully devote myself to this position, but take into consideration the needs and wants of other students. Oberlin College is a progressive institution that fosters a creative atmosphere for many talented students. However, I feel as if students cannot acknowledge such exhibitions of aptitude, because there is a lack of space and advertisement. Therefore, I wish Oberlin to fulfill these goals by creating an environment and forum for students to publicize their passions and desires for change. As a senator, I promise to achieve these goals among others while constantly striving to enhance Oberlin’s diversity through the arts and exhibition.

Andrew Watiker
I am a second-year and a resident of Keep Co-op. I am running for the Student Senate to protect student rights and to improve relations with the City of Oberlin.

New College policies, including card swiping at campus parties, raise serious questions about fairness and privacy. As senator, I will ensure the administration addresses these questions.

Improved relations with the City are a priority as well. I believe that the City’s diversity, history and culture all help make Oberlin College unique. As senator, I will work to have regularly scheduled joint meetings of Oberlin City Council and Student Senate members where we can discuss common interests for a better future, both for Oberlin’s students and for Oberlin’s residents.

I believe my experiences as a campus political organizer, OC-ACLU treasurer and Keep Food Buyer have prepared me well for the responsibilities of the Student Senate.