College Government President

Charlotte Harris ’16

Every Wellesley College student has their own passions, identities and purpose for being a member of this enriching and challenging community. Over the last three years, I have found my own passion for College Government and I am now running for College Government President to advocate and support the passions of the entire student body.

I have seen Senate evolve as working groups formed, controversial topics were discussed and action was taken. As the chair of Senate, I would like to continue the progress my predecessors have made, and make Senate more accessible to everyone. I will work with the Secretary-Treasurer to communicate with the student body and create agendas that address the critical issues. If CG’s expectation is that students will voice their concerns through Senate, then the same expectation should be held for CG to be present in as many areas of the community as possible. As CGP, I would take this responsibility seriously and continue my efforts to be an active and engaged member of our community.

As an athlete and Psychology major, I have witnessed the power of wellness. Physical health, mental health, body image, self-worth, happiness and safety are all aspects of wellness that are pivotal to our success as not only a student, but as a person who is preparing for life after Wellesley. As CGP, I would like to use the data and information that this past CGP and CGPC have collected and move this information forward with action. Students want to see more education about mental health, extended hours and cultural competency training at the Stone Center. As CGP, I would use College Government President’s Council and Cabinet to plan more educational series on mental health, to create spaces for discussion and support, and to team up with other organizations like PERA/SAAC to create a stronger norm of wellness and self care on this campus. To me, the power of this institution comes from the people here and if we as a community do not make wellness a priority, then it is impossible to expect we can produce and perform to our highest potential. That is why I am passionate about wellness and will make it a top priority.

I am ready to transition to the role of CGP after serving as CGVP this past year. I have seen the strength in teamwork and collaboration from Cabinet and other student leaders, and want to apply these skills as CGP. My experience on CG has shown me what is feasible with this role. As President, I will be the resource and supporter to Cabinet to help them accomplish their goals. I will lead Senate to be an efficient and important space for discussion, dialogue and debate. Above all, I will serve and advocate for what the student body needs. I look forward to discussing my platform over the next week. Choose me, Charlotte Harris, to be your next College Government President. Thank you.

Adeline Lee ’16

I am running to be your College Government President because Wellesley means so much to me, and I want to work towards realizing our community’s potential for the next generation of Wellesley students.

I have been actively and steadfastly involved in CG for three years—as a Senator, Chair of the Senate Policy and Ethics Committee, and most recently our CG Secretary-Treasurer. Each of these three years has been marked by my vision to bring CG closer to students—to make the institution I so deeply believe in patently aware of and present in students’ lives. This vision has translated into untold hours of surveying campus attitudes, spearheading Town Halls on socioeconomic status, and working with administrators to ensure institutional support for the work that our peers do for this campus. As CG Secretary-Treasurer and Chair of Communications and CG Finances, I’ve reformed the way that Senate minutes are taken and made accessible, encouraged institutional memory through partnerships with College Archives, built a newly integrated CG website, and raised funds for CG to continue to do work that matters on campus.

These last three years have helped me cultivate a profound knowledge of our self-governance structure, our campus pulse, and the fundamental value of not only seeking out administrative dialogue and negotiation but of sparking student action. Most importantly, I’ve gained a deep familiarity with the generational concerns that continue to trouble our community—problems that have occupied students’ consciousness from year to year.

Mental health, community fragmentation, and socioeconomic status are areas of concern for an overwhelming number of students. Matters of this scope cannot—nor should they—be addressed for a single year. Rather, these very-much-interrelated concerns continue to call for the close attention and patience of student leaders and CG alike. Although I’m unbelievably proud of what we and our Senators have accomplished this year, I fundamentally believe that change comes from generational persistence, the building of inheritance, and—most importantly—collective community investment.

This year’s work on mental health cannot be the end of the conversation. Our community needs initiatives that will aid those seeking mental health support in the greater Boston area, initiatives that will address cultural sensitivity and socioeconomic disparities, as well as candid discussions surrounding center hours and emergency response. We must begin with a revival of Unity, a monthly forum for administrators and student leaders to come together in open dialogue, mutual confidence, and purposeful collaboration. Finally, CG must consider expansive equity initiatives: increased accessibility of course materials and textbooks, tangible support for students staying on campus over break, as well as greater transparency and reform in campus hiring practices.

Wellesley needs an experienced, competent, and committed CGP to build on the groundwork that has already been laid and to continue to advocate for crucial next steps. I come to you once more to ask for your support, your enthusiasm, and your faith in what this campus can and must be. I would be honored to have your vote for this journey.

Director of On Campus Affairs (DOOCA)

Meredith Ausenbaugh ’16

Two years ago I found my place at Wellesley on the Schneider Board of Governors (SBOG). Today, I am running for Director of On-Campus Affairs (DOOCA), the chair of the Board.

Since my second semester, I have spent every Sunday night with SBOG planning and executing Wellesley’s largest events with one thing in mind: you. Charged by our community to promote social life on this campus, SBOG aims to give you the moments that will shine brightest when you look back on your Wellesley years.

As SBOG’s current treasurer, I have worked closely with the DOOCA to ensure that all funding benefits you. Through managing one of Wellesley’s largest organizational budgets, I’ve learned to value mindfulness, organization, and efficiency. I also prioritize communication and transparency – whether it be with an artist’s manager, production company, or other student treasurers.

Without you, SBOG would not exist.  We are here to serve Wellesley, and we cannot do that without your voices. The Board represents only .68% of this campus; our decisions alone cannot speak for 2,300 others. I want to engage Wellesley and recognize all the untapped talent it has to offer. This means polling before and after events to account for student preferences. This means forums for Fall Frenzy t-shirt designs. This means office hours where you hold me accountable for SBOG’s work.

Wellesley: We weren’t chosen to speak for you, we were chosen to listen. If elected your next DOOCA, I’ll make sure that’s exactly what we do.

Ali Robinson ’16

My name is Ali Robinson, and I am running to be your Director of On-Campus Affairs (DOOCA) for the 2015-2016 school year. I am running on a platform of inclusivity.

Include safety

As a member of SBOG, I have been a part of a team that tries fervently to ensure that all of our events are safe. However, ensuring the safety of all students, at all points of an event, is an impossible task for SBOG alone. As DOOCA, I will have more cooperation with groups concerned with campus safety so that Wellesley students are cared for at every stage of an event: before, during, and after.

Include student voices

While we keep SBOG small to ensure efficiency, feedback is key to continuously improving our events. As DOOCA, I will ensure that we are getting feedback so we can better serve our community and also make SBOG an approachable extension of the administration, college government, and student body.

Include diversity

Diversity is imperative for SBOG to be an effective representation of Wellesley’s interests. As DOOCA, I will aim to highlight diversity at Wellesley. It is important that cultural organizations know they are valued by this campus and valued by SBOG. As DOOCA, I will continue to affirm and promote the value of these groups within SBOG and on this campus as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, to get to know me, and to learn how I envision bringing inclusive fun to Wellesley!

Chief Justice

Mayanka Kumar ’16

My name is Mayanka Kumar, and I am running for Chief Justice. I served on Honor Code Council this past year as a 2016 representative, where I had the opportunity to participate in hearings and help with various awareness initiatives. These experiences on the Council have solidified my immense respect for the foundation and its system of operation.

If elected, I will focus on several areas of interest. First, I will work to make our Honor Code system as transparent as possible to the Wellesley community. While all Honor Code cases are strictly confidential, its process, sanctions, and appeal policies should not be. It is extremely important to have workshops for all students and faculty members to ensure they understand the procedural policies and the role of the Honor Code Council as a resource.

I also aim to promote a system that is efficient and useful, as the Honor Code is most effective when students can identify with it personally. I plan to meet with various organizations on campus to discuss how the Honor Code directly relates to their organization’s mission statement.

Finally, I plan on promoting the Honor Code within different social environments such as El Table and the Hoop. If students can see the presence of the Honor Code in settings where they are not typically conscious of our Code, it would serve as a reminder of how the Honor Code creates an enjoyable environment built on trust.

Student Bursar

Isabelle van de Walle ’17

My name is Isabelle and I would like to serve as the next Student Bursar. The Bursar heads SOFC, which creates, amends and upholds policy to ensure that the student activities fee is fairly distributed. The Bursar is also responsible for running the Bursar’s Office. I have experience in residential life, College Government, and the Bursar’s Office. As an RA, I have interacted with a diverse range of people as well as deal with different residential hall issues. As a senator, I learned about how College Government addresses campus concerns and how to reach compromise. Lastly – as a bookkeeper and member of SOFC, I have gained valuable insight into the 170+ student organizations we have on campus as well as the funding and reimbursement processes.

I am running on a platform of Collaboration, Communication and Conversation. If elected Bursar, I will:

1)  Emphasize the importance of collaboration between the office and the community as well as between organizations;

2) Increase communication between SOFC, the Office, and the entire campus by sending out regular newsletters and by creating an open information event where the community can be engaged with the funding process; and

3)  Emphasize conversation with Treasurers, the Bursar’s Office and SOFC, to ensure that all sides of the funding trifecta can have their voices heard.

Thank you for considering me as a candidate. I look forward to meeting you at the debates!

Committee for Political Legislative Awareness Chair (CPLA)

Zainab Younus ’17

Hi Wellesley! My name is Zainab Younus, and I am running for CPLA Chair. I have been an active member of CPLA and have served as a treasurer for the past two years. From this experience, I have learned how to effectively and efficiently plan bipartisan events within a budget. If elected as CPLA Chair, my goals are as follows:

1.  Be an active and accessible committee on  campus:

Establish annual events including but not limited to lecture series, political table and bi-semester voter registration.

Communicate frequently with the Wellesley community to help shape the committee into one that aligns with the needs of the student body.

2. Create a more permanent structure within the committee:

CPLA tends to have more activity during the election seasons; however, I want to establish a permanent structure that will help to ensure that CPLA is permanently active both semesters.

3.  Be a bipartisan resource for the campus:

As the Chair, I will work arduously to ensure that a bipartisan environment is present not only during the meetings but also throughout the campus.

I am excited to be given the opportunity to run for your CPLA Chair and look forward to meeting you soon!

Multicultural Affairs Coordinator

Ananya Ghemawat ’17

My name is Ananya Ghemawat, and I am running for the position of Multicultural Affairs Coordinator (MAC). I want to be your next MAC so I can serve as an advocate for students during their time at Wellesley regarding issues of race, ethnicity, culture, and their intersections with gender, sexuality, and mental health – and foster real dialogue about these issues, not just debate.

During my first year at Wellesley, I was elected a Senator for Tower Court and witnessed firsthand students’ ability to organize and bring change to our campus. This year, I have served as a member of the Pan-Asian Council (PAC) Executive Board and worked with 11 Asian/Asian-American organizations in order to foster a sense of unity, safety, and belonging within those diverse communities.

One of my favorite aspects of being a Wellesley student is being part of such a passionate community. However, frequently our conversations turn into debates, and I want to see our community move toward dialogues instead. Furthermore, while we continue to fight for a multicultural space, I would like to create a temporary space. I’ll form a group of students to help make this temporary space a reality. Finally, I want to keep mental health issues at the forefront of my work, and I am committed to reducing the stigma around mental health issues at Wellesley.

I look forward to working with each and every student at Wellesley. It would be an incredible honor to serve as our next Multicultural Affairs Coordinator.

Chief of Communications and Finance

Jessica Shin ’18

“Each year, as we embark on a new chapter, we set new goals for ourselves.” This past year with my involvement in CG, I strived to do exactly that.

I decided to relay the information in an engaging and timely manner to effectively disseminate pertinent news to my residence hall. I issued weekly “60 Second Senate Reports” and followed up on issues of concern in Senate and House Council. Then, through my work with the Communications Committee I learned the responsibilities of the CCF and helped create new initiatives for CG. Most recently, I was given the opportunity to serve as CG’s Historian of the Present, and in this position I actively update CG’s Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Now, as I announce my candidacy as your next Chief of Communications and Finance, I have outlined a new set of goals for myself. First, I wish to shine the light on CG — showcasing its work through our new CG website, Senate Summaries, and social media avenues. Next, I wish to increase Wellesley’s digital presence by creating a series of YouTube videos that showcase Wellesley’s history, present, and future. Last, I promise to you that if given the opportunity to fulfill these goals as your next CCF, I will not let you down.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me as a candidate, and overall human being. I would be honored to have your support and to represent you this upcoming year.

Website:jshinforwellesley.weebly.com

Facebook:www.facebook.com/jshinforwellesley

Ballot Initiative: Student Leadership Stipend Committee

For the past four years the Student Leadership Stipend Committee has campaigned for the College Government Election Ballot Initiative to raise awareness of the fact that Wellesley has been one of a small number of colleges that does not provide compensation to its Residence Life Student Staff Members (RAs and HPs), and urge the administration to institutionalize just compensation.  This year Wellesley stands alone. Wellesley is the last college to deny compensation to Res-Staff members.

While the Student Leadership Stipend Committee has worked closely with administrators this year to secure the implementation of student leader compensation, the College has not yet agreed to compensate its RAs and HPs. Thus, the Student Leadership Stipend Committee must once again humbly ask for your vote.

This ballot initiative, if adopted by the student body, will divide the funds equally among all Resident Assistants and House Presidents for the 2015-2016 academic year.  These funds will serve as a token of gratitude to our tireless student leaders, and as a demonstration of student body support for the institutionalization of student leader compensation by the College administration.

A vote for the Student Leadership Stipend (SLS) Committee Ballot Initiative is a vote to end a long-standing discriminatory policy against students of lower socioeconomic status.  A vote for SLS is a vote for all those who have been discouraged from applying to student leader positions because they could not afford the unpaid time commitment of the job.  A vote for SLS is a vote for a better Wellesley.