The Maroon asked both candidates running for president why they’re running and what matters to them.
The Maroon: What do you consider to be the biggest issues affecting students, specifically for next year?
Ashley Shabankareh: After Pathways occurred, I feel students are looking to get the most out of their education and institution. Among the issues which I feel are affecting students include the common curriculum and sustainability.
The common curriculum is affecting our students in more ways than one, whether it is due to the course load, the quality of courses or the service learning aspects of it. This past year, common curriculum has been looked at in full force. While there is nothing definite happening to the common curriculum, I feel it is the right of the students to have a more effective common curriculum. This includes ensuring that the quality of courses are higher, students will be able to take more major courses than core classes and service learning will be implemented in a more effective manner.
As well, I feel that sustainability is an issue which is affecting a great number of our students. After the low rating in sustainability, more and more students have taken a notice to Loyola’s lack of sustainability. I will work towards making sure that Loyola becomes more sustainable by means of purchasing green energy, replacing old generators, purchasing recycling bins for all buildings and creating a green fund to help work and fix the problems related to sustainability.
M: Why are you running for SGA, and what are two major things you would focus on as president?
AS: I am running for SGA because I believe in the student body’s ability to affect real change at Loyola University. Additionally, I am running because I believe that I can be an effective voice in the push for change. With this in mind, two major goals I will focus on as president include scholarship reform and sustainability. I feel that students should have the ability to reapply for their scholarship, and they should also be able to have a set tuition rate. As well, I feel that our campus needs to become more sustainable. Through means of purchasing green energy, replacing old generators, purchasing new recycling bins for each building and creating a green fund, I find that our campus is capable of becoming a more sustainable.
M: If elected, how will you spend the surplus money from the fee increase?
AS: If elected as president, I will work towards putting our surplus money from the fee increase towards our student services. This not only includes our most recent creations of the LSAT/MCAT/GRE grant and book subsidy program, but also includes our Richard Frank Grant. In addition, I would also put a portion of this money towards our allocations process which would allow for more programming and more organizations to get money. Last but certainly not least, I would take a portion of this money and place it towards the creation of a green fund, which will help move forward the issue of sustainability.
M: What do you believe is the purpose of SGA?
AS: SGA is not just a voice for the students; rather, it is also an organization which acts on behalf of the student body to carry out opinions to the administration. In addition, I feel the purpose of SGA is to help improve the quality of student life at Loyola, both academically and socially, by addressing student needs and concerns.
M: If elected, what will your SGA look like?
AS: If elected, I find that my administration will revolve around transparency. By transparency, I mean being transparent in SGA as an organization, with the students, and with the administration. Without effective communication between SGA and students, I feel that our senators cannot ethically step foot into SGA and vote on legislation which they have not spoken to their constituents about. As President, I will strive for senate to inform students of their actions, and ensure that any executive policy created will have to go through the senate for approval before action is taken.
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The Maroon: What do you consider to be the biggest issues affecting students specifically next year?
Sarah Cooper: Undoubtedly, the rising cost of tuition, textbooks and campus housing is one of the biggest issues facing Loyola students. Student Government Association is charged with the responsibility of expressing such concerns to the administration, and as president, I will work closely with the faculty and administration to keep student expenses in check. As the sole student representative on the University Budget Committee, I will oppose increases in tuition. I will appeal to the faculty senate, requesting that they honor a commitment to post syllabi well in advance of classes, providing students adequate time to shop for discounted textbooks. SGA can also take steps towards lowering costs, including but not limited to, expanding services that provide students with money for textbooks and graduate testing, and funding academic research initiatives.
M: Why are you running for SGA, and what are two major things you would focus on as president?
SC: I am running for SGA because students deserve a dedicated and responsible representative who adequately voices the needs and concerns of the student body to the faculty and administration. A major point of focus in my administration will be the transparency and accessibility of SGA. Students deserve to be informed of the issues, provided access to available resources and given a say on the issues that most affect their lives. Safety has also become a major concern for Loyola students. Students should feel safe on campus, and as SGA president I will do everything possible to address campus security. I will work with the Department of Public Safety to acquire additional security cameras, increase police patrols and hold regular safety seminars. I will also meet regularly with the leaders of the Collegiate Consortium (Tulane, Xavier and UNO), working to collaborate our efforts to increase awareness of safety issues.
M: If elected, how will you spend the surplus money from the fee increase?
SC: As president, I will ensure that any surplus funds are given directly back to students by increasing the amount of funds budgeted for student organizations. Fiscal responsibility will be a centerpiece of my administration. I will eliminate waste within the budget and guarantee that the most is made of every dollar.
M: What, do you believe, is the purpose of SGA?
SC: SGA stands to serve the needs of the student body and represent their interests within the campus community.
M: If elected, what will your SGA look like?
SC: If I am elected, SGA will be far more accessible and transparent. SGA members will actively participate in campus programs and events. Students will be informed of the issues that affect them and the ways in which their fees are spent. The president and vice president will hold regular office hours with an open-door policy.
Sarah Cooper
