ASPC Elections Fall 2011

Tina Bencik

I'm Tina and I love Family Guy (I just wanted to throw that out there). I'm from Slovenia, which is actually not near Russia (as most Americans seem to think), but is still an Eastern European country (evidenced by the fact that our national TV is still running Baywatch).

I imagine many of you wonder why I'm running for freshman class president – moving here from another country seems difficult enough, right? Well, one enormous difference I noticed between the States and Slovenia is that here, it takes an awful long time to get from dicussion to action.

I should make one thing clear about my home country – in Slovenia, we get things done. This is exactly what I want to do (for you) as your president – make sure that things get done (such as bringing Snack on South Campus (!) and get freshman more involved in deciding on housing policies).

Emily Glass

Freshman friends of Pomona College, may I please have 141 more words of your attention? I’m Emily Glass, and I am running to be your Freshman Class President. Why me? Why am I running? I am running because it energizes me to find out what you want done at Pomona College... Want a new freshman dorm on top of Mt. Baldy? You know what, I'll do that for you! I am running for Freshman Class President because I am approachable and have the sass, pizazz and spunk to make change happen. I know that I want more veggies at meals... and also new events that can bring our class together. But, most importantly, I want to represent every freshman at Pomona. Approach me and tell me what YOU want, and I will do everything in my power to get it done! So, remember: your choice is clear, vote Glass for the '15 class.

Rob Knickerbocker

Hey y’all! I’m Rob Knickerbocker, from Rochester, NY. In my free time, I like to longboard and do math puzzles and crosswords. I also did 200 hours of service for a battered women’s shelter.

As Freshman Class President, I will foster a sense of 2015 community by teaming up with the FYCC to organize events. As a future math major, I will handle our class’ budget well. The key to an awesome year is communication; therefore, I will let our class know about the college’s proposals and distribute surveys to hear student input on proposals. It is important to me that our class knows about proposals that will affect them. I also will push to allow freshman to keep cars on campus, so we can support our athletes at away games and take advantage of our college’s proximity to the LA metro area.

Vote Knickerbocker for Freshman Class President!

Stephanie Micham

What is a class president? According to SCPC’s webpage, class presidents plan class events and carry out projects. I looked at those words and thought, what a stark description for what should be a very important position. But I then realized that the simplicity of the message is empowering. I can choose to understand the responsibilities of class president in my terms. As class president, I want to be someone who is approachable, who will hear the voice of every freshman, and who will listen to anything and everything you have to say. I want to enact the changes that you, as students, desire and work to make your ideas reality and your voices heard. We all worked to get into an amazing college, and, if elected, my goal is to use the office of class president as a tool to shape Pomona College into a place of your making.

Rishi Sangani

Hi! My name is Rishi Sangani, and I am running to be your First Year Class Representative. I am from San Diego, CA, and I want to double major in Mathematical-Econ and History. I would be a great class representative because I am a very organized person. The primary role of the class representative is to lead the First Year Committee, which puts on events and fundraisers for the class. To be successful, your representative needs to be organized and forward-thinking, characteristics that fit my personality well. In high school, I was my class secretary-treasurer for two years and speech captain, and at Pomona, I am on the crew of the Nightcap, a sports talk show on KSPC, and I have a job at the CDO. I am already an active member of the Pomona community, and I have the drive and the enthusiasm to be your class representative.

Dustin Godevais

Hello, my fellow Sagehens! If you vote for me, then you are voting for a forceful advocate of the sophomore class. Those of you who know me well know that I am a passionate listener. I thrive on new ideas and understanding the experiences of my fellow sophomores. Nothing would excite me more than the opportunity to change our college for the better.

I propose improving the various services that ASPC has to offer through reconstituting its website, maintaining efficiency, and opening a new dialogue for students on campus. I am committed to creating safe spaces for all my fellow classmates. I will also see to it that institutions for students on campus such as the CDO are constantly improving their services.

I stand in constant admiration of your passions, and I humbly ask for the honor of representing you all in ASPC this year.

Frances Kyl

Hi guys! I’m running to be your class president. Now that we’re sophomores scattered all across campus, we need events that focus on our class and reflect how awesome we are. I’m ready and willing to work tirelessly with the administration to make those events happen. Our class’s funding went unspent last year – but I want to hear your ideas for using it during a weekly open meeting. With my experience as the interim representative for the first-year class during fall semester and my work as co-chair of the First-Year Committee, I already know the ins and outs of ASPC. I’m confident that my familiarity with Senate will allow me to get things done. And remember, there’s always money in the banana stand.

Robert Chew

You may know me as Chew, Chewy, or Chewbert; but Robert Chew is what will show up on the ballot this Monday. Last year I served as the First-Year Class President and I’m hoping to return to Senate as the South Campus Representative. I chose South Campus Rep. because of its position as co-chair of two of the most important committees to students: Food and Residence Hall. South Campus is unique because it houses all of our college’s first-years, voices that I don’t think should be ignored by Senate. Although I won’t use this space to make extravagant promises, I will commit to always listen to the questions, comments, and requests of any student. Last year taught me that experience and strong relationships with administrators are what turn your suggestions into real changes. I hope that you will allow me to take my experience back to Senate this year.

Please VOTE ROBERT CHEW for South Campus Representative. Thank you.

Nick Lawson

Want stuff to actually happen? Then I'm your guy. What I believe we need is transparency between the administration and students, as well as some fresh ideas for Pomona. As South Campus Rep, I would work to promote better relationships between students and the Office of Campus Life, as well as between students and the Dining Services Administrators. I have experience working with the dining halls, residence hall staff, and campus life administration, and I believe that students should have the opportunity to openly ask questions to these groups regarding policy, Workers for Justice, and other campus issues. We also need to build a stronger community between first-years, RAs, mentors, sponsors, professors, administrators, dining staff, and the city of Claremont. Pomona is an amazing place, and together we can make changes that will impact this campus for many years to come.

Michael Maltese

You all know my name. You know that I'm passionate about making good things, and if you've met me you also know that I'm passionate about people. I have a lot of close relationships with the administration, and if I'm elected to be your South Campus Representative, you can know that I'll do my best to faithfully represent your concerns in ASPC. If you want to see things made better, vote for me!

Joseph Reynolds

My name is Joseph Reynolds, from Brooklyn, NY. In short my friends would call me funny, crazy, stupid, and a person looking for a good time, but they could also say that I am caring, diligent, and clever. As South rep I would like to make changes to the fining policy and implement other forms of punishment, which focus on time instead of dollars. I would also make sure that south campus residents, especially freshmen, are fully aware of the do's and don’ts that come with living on south campus to prevent as many j-boards and cases of disciplinary action as possible. And I will definitely serve as a fun liaison between the Residence Hall Committee – someone you’d want to hang out with outside of transferring comments, concerns, and criticisms.

Sydney Rupe

Hey y’all! My name is Sydney Rupe; I’m a freshman from Tennessee, and I’m running for South Campus representative. So basically, TSL is giving me a chance to tell you what I plan to do should I be elected. But...I don’t know exactly what I plan to do. Why? Because if I am to fulfill my position in the best possible manner, I need your input! I can’t have a plan if you don’t let me know what you want. So, stop me on campus, email me, visit me, anything to make your voice heard so that I can work to make Pomona the best possible environment for you. I am here, I am listening, and I will work my absolute hardest to implement the changes you wish to see at Pomona. Thank you for taking the time to read this, have a wonderful day, and I will see you on campus!

Anna Gibson

Hello, I’m Anna Gibson, and I’m running for North Campus Representative. I’m a senior Cognitive Science & Linguistics major currently living in Clark III, and I’ve also lived in Pomona Hall and Lawry. I’ve been active in many different Pomona clubs such as the WU, Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Arabic Club, and On The Loose. I also have also served on the Food Committee, been a member of Orientation Committee, and volunteered several semesters as a tour guide. I really enjoy working with diverse groups of people and think there a lot of opportunities for more open and constructive dialogue within North Campus as well as within the College generally. It would be an honor for me to give back to the Pomona community this year by bringing a fresh perspective to the ASPC!

Jeff Levere

Having served as your South Campus Representative (a role that directly parallels North Campus Representative) my sophomore year, I gained the experience necessary to succeed as a Senator. I established crucial relationships with administrators and deans, and developed an in-depth understanding of how things get accomplished in ASPC. As South Campus Rep., I instituted gender-neutral housing options, authored the survey that ultimately led to a changeover to an in-house dining system, and brought ice cream back to the dining halls. Last year, despite not being on Senate, I served as the TSL Senate Reporter and reinvigorated the discount for printing fliers on recycled paper at duplicating services.

If elected, I’ll hold weekly office hours so that I can be as accessible as possible, and will truly value your input and ideas and do all I can to implement them. This is YOUR College; I will make YOUR voice heard.

Johnny Wang

Hi! I’m Jonny, and I’d like to bring my enthusiasm to ASPC Senate. I have ideas about how to improve your campus life, but in the end it’s not about how good my ideas are but rather, how well I listen to your ideas. Often students are elected and disappear, never to be heard from again. My main goal will be to keep you informed of what is going on in Senate and remain accountable to you.

As a sponsor and AAMP mentor, I’ve gained valuable experience in how to work in groups and get things done. I also have strong relationships with the current Senate members, so I will have no problems working with them to accomplish your goals.

Hopefully, we’ve had a chance to talk in my almost-four years here, but if not you can find me at snack every night at 10:30. (I’ve attached this handy mugshot so you can find me!)