With the elections for SGA executives approaching, the candidates for the three positions, President, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Vice President for Academic Affairs, were asked to write a 100 word statement introducing themselves as a candidate. The elections will be held Tuesday, Mar. 3, and results are planned to be announced on thesandb.com Thursday, Mar. 5.

President of SGA:

John Burrows:
The only other thing I love more than Grinnell are the students here, and I want to continually look out for the best interests of all Grinnellians. This past year I have worked every day toward bettering the student experience, and have gained insight into what needs to change next year in order to create a more effective SGA. I plan to use this insight, as well as my experience as Vice President and existing relationships with administrators to completely revamp the way SGA works in order to make it more student-friendly and genuinely have the best interests of students in mind.

Harry Krejsa:
While serving on and off of SGA, I learned how to make use of it as an extremely well-resourced organization that has a great capacity to do good. I will use all of SGA’s resources and advocacy to protect self-governance by strengthening the trust between students and SGA and will put in place policies and institutions that demonstrate greater trust in students from the administration, such as permanent student seating on disciplinary committees (be they academic or social), follow through on student control of video surveillance, and ensure greater student input on everything from website redesign to staff hiring.

Fernando “Fonz” Jenkins:
My name is Fernando F. Jenkins. However, majority of the students, staff, and faculty here at Grinnell College address me as Fonz. I am a third year political science major originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and I would be extremely honored if I were granted the privilege of representing you as your 2009-2010 SGA President! It is my sole mission to provide you a president who is refreshing, personable, and down to earth while not compromising hard work, effectiveness, and the insightful leadership that is crucial to this executive position. After serving in Joint Board for the past two semesters, I am more confident and better equipped with the experience needed to create positive change. Let’s make joint board more accessible and transparent. Let’s strengthen the dialogue between the students at large and the students that represent them. I will voice your issues, concerns, and inquiries with passion and conviction. Therefore, a vote for me is a vote for you! Thank you.

Vice President for Student Affairs:

Mona Ghadiri:
Hi, my name is Mona Ghadiri. I’m a second year Anthropology/History major from outside Chicago. I would love to be your Vice President for Student Affairs because I deeply care about you, Grinnell, and our community as a whole. I am committed to doing the best I can to preserve Grinnell in it’s truest forms of self-governance and community action by providing clear communication and transparency with students and thereby ending the feeling of disconnection that permeates SGA. Please don’t hesitate to stop me with any questions. I’m the friendly loud one with the poofy hair.

Ben Offenberg:
Since arriving on campus first year, I’ve been an active member of the Grinnell community, partaking in varsity track and football, Chalutzim cabinet, and Student Initiatives Committee (STIC). As your VPSA, I would reform RLC training to ensure that they fully understand the concepts of self-governance and the Grinnell way of life. When there is a problem on campus I believe its SGA who should step in to solve the issues. As VPSA I will be the problem solver. I will be the student’s biggest activist of self-governance within Student Affairs. So vote Offenberg for VPSA on Tuesday!

Alex Peitz:
Through my past experience working on both small committees and large projects in and out of SGA, I have gained the skills that will help me advocate for your best interest. I hope to increase transparency across campus by increasing communication between SGA and the student body and increasing student involvement in Student Affairs. I would be honored to serve as SGA Vice President of Student Affairs and hope that you will consider voting for me next Tuesday, March 3rd.

Vice President for Academic Affairs:

Joanna DeMars:
My name is Joanna DeMars, and I’m a third year Physics and German double major from Iowa City. I’m running for Vice President of Academic Affairs because I enjoy making a difference, and since quality education is the ultimate goal of all Grinnellians, I feel this position is the most effective avenue. My involvement in SGA, SEPCs, and the mentoring program grants me a unique, multifaceted view of academic life. I am excited to improve our academic experience! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns – let me know: [demarsjo], Box 3413, Phone 9727, Cowles 7110.

Katey Gager:
My name is Katey Gager and I am a second-year Political Science major running for VPAA. I have been an SGA Senator for two semesters and recognize that our student government needs some improvements. If elected VPAA, I have three main goals:
• ensure students do not feel torn between their professors and administrators
• increase interdisciplinary and service learning opportunities
• prevent budget cuts from hurting students’ academic experience
To do this I will make community discussions a more regular event on campus, continue to advocate for more permanent student seats on academic committees, and improve students’ accessibility to SGA and academic information.

Jacob Reisberg:
I’m Jacob Reisberg (YAH-cub), a philosophy and political science double major from Portland, Oregon. I think I’m the right candidate for VPAA for two reasons. First, I have the diverse experience needed, including sitting on the Committee on Academic Standing and JudCo. But more importantly, I adore Grinnell. Grinnell should be as wonderful (or better) a place for future students as it has been for me. That means fixing students’ specific issues, like the requirements for early graduation and standardizing SEPC’s role in hires, and broad issues, like expanding course offerings and pushing for student feedback to be taken seriously.