It is unfortunate that English junior and Student Government Association senator Maria Rossi is running for Student Government Association vice president rather than president. In an election filled with candidates looking to push their own agendas into university policy, Rossi stands out as a vice presidential candidate who will stay true to her role as a liaison between students and the SGA president. Her ambition and desire to make the Loyola student community’s interests a priority are ideal characteristics for an outstanding SGA leader, and she will benefit students if elected.

Rossi has made clear her improvements for a more effective and efficient student government — in addition to the contributions she has already made, like working on the Constitutional Review Committee and updating important documents. In an effort to increase student involvement in SGA decisions, she plans to publicly post senate meeting minutes — a practice that has been neglected with the current administration — and promote a hierarchy of communication, in which ideas and proposals will pass from students to senators to the vice president. Though some have argued that Rossi is not focusing enough on broader issues outside of more communication and reforming SGA, she has addressed how to handle the main responsibilities of a vice president. Rossi also passionately pushes for representatives to follow through with their yearly initiatives.

Rossi’s opponent, music junior and SGA senator Chris Castaneda, plans to focus on sustainability, common curriculum reform and scholarship reform. The Maroon believes these issues are best left for a president to handle. Castaneda would make a good vice president, but Rossi would make a great vice president.