The Maroon asked the candidates these questions:

1. How will you represent students during the Danna Center renovations and ensure that their opinions are heard? 2. How do you hope to incorporate Jesuit and social justice ideals into student and academic life? 3. How will you keep students informed and promote SGA transparency? 4. What, do you believe, is the purpose of SGA? 5. If elected, what will your SGA look like?

1. Rather than make decisions about the building for students, SGA has already begun to let leaders decide for themselves. As Chief of Staff this year, I have helped the SGA president organize the meetings of the Danna Center Space Allocation Committee. This committee is a group of students who will decide which organizations are placed where in the updated building. The other candidate has attended one meeting, but had no role in its creation or planning.

Also, I’ll develop SGA’s relationship with Alton Doody, chairman of Loyola’s Buildings and Grounds committee. He has been donating his expertise and working closely with students to ensure that future Loyola students have something to be proud of, but he needs a student partner who understands the process.

Almost all of the design work has been completed, and final construction will begin over spring break. That’s why I’ve been working hard this year to make sure students’ input is heard. Anyone who says they can come in right before construction starts and affect an intense 10-month decision-making process in the few weeks before summer break isn’t telling the truth.

2. As my platform describes, we can combine the best parts of our Jesuit commitments to social justice and academic excellence through service learning. By working closely with college deans, I will be able to incorporate service learning into the existing common curriculum in which each student may apply his unique skills. This will allow students to participate in the New Orleans experience in a way that benefits both them and the New Orleans community.

I have spelled out plans to conduct a university-sponsored social justice audit that will build on the work LUCAP has already done to ensure that Loyola operates in a way consistent with what we believe. I will also work for environmental justice by urging our administrators to adopt Leadership in Environment and Energy Designs (LEED) construction standards and the American University and College President’s Climate Commitment.

3. By authoring a constitutional amendment, I created the new House of Representatives, a first-of-its-kind initiative that offers direct representation to students. Previously, if a student had a concern, they would be forced to find a senator to represent them. Under the new system, students are able to directly question SGA and the administration on a regular basis. When I’m SGA president I will be dedicated to meeting individually with concerned students. SGA meetings will remain open, and records of all actions will be easily accessible.

4. SGA is an advocate to the administration, a partner with the faculty, and a service to our students. I am the only candidate that understands the complexity of these roles, and whose experience demonstrates that understanding.

5. SGA will be representative of the diverse campus community on every level. Our openness will be demonstrated by our actions. For example, rather than being isolated in a dark corner of the basement, SGA will work from a space shared with other active student organizations (with that space being distributed by the Space Allocation Committee that I’ve helped SGA start this year). SGA will capitalize on this year’s increased efficiency by offering even more money to students through innovative services such as a need-based book subsidy and standardized test grant.

Cypriano at a glanceYear and major: Junior, political scienceHometown: Baton Rouge, La.SGA Experience: Intern, Director of Student Services, Chief of StaffCampaign Motto: “Putting students first.”