Personal Statement

My name is Adam D. French and I am a candidate for Senator-at-Large on the Montell-Mills 08 ticket. After three years of involvement in Student Government, I have decided to enter the race for Senate because the opportunity to make a positive change in SG has never been greater and I want to be a part of that change. I have entered this campaign with a trust in the fact that Grant, Tyler, and our slate of senate candidates can make our esteemed institution an even better place to live and learn through our experience, vision, and guidance which will serve us well in serving the student body here at UK. I personally feel my experience and leadership ability can be a great agent of change in SG and can promise wholeheartedly that I will serve ALL students to the best of my ability and represent them professionally throughout my term. I am excited about the potential of both our ticket and myself to work hard for the students at UK to continually find ways to improve student life, campus safety, and the learning environment and pledge to take these responsibilities seriously. In fact, I can guarantee that a vote for our ticket is a vote for fair representation carried out in a professional, diligent manner of which you would be proud. I am asking for your support during the elections and look forward to working with each and every one of you moving forward.

1. As a student leader, you are aware that there is an emphasis on diversity issues at UK. What are some issues related to diversity that you believe are apparent on campus, and what do you plan to do to create change?

I feel as if the main problem with diversity on campus is a lack of communication concerning diversity issues and a lack of programming that brings together groups with different ethnic and religious backgrounds.  For instance, it is rare to see an event co-sponsored by a traditional black fraternity and a traditional white fraternity.  I think that setting aside $15,000 in special project funds for events and programs that foster diversity and create a diversity dialogue among student organizations would encourage groups to work together to promote diversity and help educate ALL of UK students about the cultural melting pot that is a college campus.

2. What are your plans to help create an end to sexual violence and promote safety on campus?

I have a threefold plan for making our campus safer: a) I want to continue Student Government’s support of the UK VIP Center (formerly the Women’s Place) and add additional funds where needed; b) I want SG to conduct a study seeing what other comparable universities are doing to promote an end to campus violence, allowing us to gain fresh ideas and a better idea as to how to use our funding to address this issue; and c) I want to work with IGPA and the Greek organizations to increase their awareness and education on campus violence.  Most importantly, I think it is time that students understand the facts about campus violence and will promote in any way the removal of the vicious stereotypes concerning this issue.  Finally, I think Student Government should encourage and help fund the installment of more severe weather alarms on campus as a means of promoting safety in the case of severe weather events.  I live at FarmHouse Fraternity and the weather alarm at the K-B complex was not a sufficient warning for the severe weather in Lexington that hit earlier this year; I want to ensure that each and every campus building is capable of being adequately warned of severe weather in the area.

3. In light of the recent budget issues in state government, what action should Student Government take to help maintain affordable higher education?

Although it appears the recent budget cuts to higher education will not be as bad as originally thought, UK is still facing a monumental challenge in terms of state financial support and our goal of becoming a top 20 institution is in serious jeopardy.  As for maintaining affordable higher education, SG should encourage the administration to review its operating budget and cut all wasteful or unnecessary spending before turning to tuition spikes as a solve-all for this crisis.  Additionally, more money should be allocated for scholarships as a way to reward students for academic success while providing much needed financial support.  That said, it is important for students to realize that for UK to become one of the nation’s best universities and reach its top 20 goal, occasional tuition increases will be needed to help this goal reach fruition and that UK’s achievement of this goal adds value to our UK education.  However, I do not feel that students should have to pay the price for irresponsible government spending, which in many ways is the case right now.

4. What action, if any, do you believe is appropriate for Student Government to take to increase voter education and participation both in on-campus elections, and general elections?

I think Student Government has made great strides in increasing on-campus voter education by allowing the posting of platform statements, moving the elections online, and assisting with voter guides such as this one.  One additional step I would like Student Government to make is to begin a working relationship with Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s office.  Secretary Grayson has developed an excellent voter education program for high school students that has served as a model program for other states, and I believe that starting a similar program tailored to college students here at UK with the assistance of Secretary Grayson’s office would go a long way in solving voter apathy here on campus.

5. What are your plans with working side by side with landlords and the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government on off campus student housing?

Once again, the problems I have seen arise throughout my UK career concerning Town and Gown issues have ultimately arisen due to inadequate communication between the involved parties, so I would like to see more Student Government participation in LFUCG and neighborhood association meetings and would invite representatives from each to attend our Senate meetings.  The Lexington community is dependent on UK – and vice versa – and it is very important to maintain a good working relationship with the community so both parties can improve and better themselves.  As has long been my belief, I think the key to quality off-campus housing is a wide variety of options from which students can choose, and I would work hard to illustrate the importance of this point to both community leaders as well as the LFUCG. 

6. Leaders often face the struggle of understanding the people they represent. UK has a very diverse student body in terms or race, class, gender identity, culture, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and ability status. What measures will you take to educate yourself on these issues? In what ways will you commit yourself to better understand and represent this diverse student body?

My main goal in this area is to increase the visibility of Student Government Senators at the campus events in which we sponsor and provide financial support to.  SG has done a good job in providing support to a WIDE array of cultural and diversity-related events, but in most cases SG members actually are not present at said events.  In my opinion, this is a golden opportunity to learn more about our diverse student body while also evaluating the effectiveness of our funding for these events.  I plan to explore legislation requiring a quota of Senators be present at these events to increase the visibility of us, YOUR Student Government, while at the same time, allowing us to better understand and make decisions that better the quality of life here at UK. 

7. What are your thoughts on improving sustainability on campus? Considering current green issues such as recycling, renewable energy, and biking. What plans do you have to make UK a more green-friendly university?

I think UK has made great strides in this area as well, with the Student Center bike program, the recycling baskets provided to each and every dorm room, and the move toward sustainable agriculture products used by Dining Services when available.  However, it is important that we continue to explore ways to become more sustainable and efficient.  One such area I feel is important is to replace the incandescent light bulbs on campus with the more energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs.  Additionally, I think that UK and/or Student Government should start offering an award for both organizations and individuals who best exhibit and promote sustainability here at UK.

8. What is your response to the recent research proposal to log sections of UK-owned Robinson Forest? Would you be willing to voice a student opinion different from your own to higher administrative positions at UK?

Due to my wholehearted support of UK’s goal to become a top 20 research institution, I have no problem with the proposal to log parts of Robinson Forest if – and only if – the research and findings conducted at the forest can directly benefit UK’s ability to obtain this goal.  It is my understanding that only a very small portion of the forest will actually be logged and that the research done through this process will be quite significant.  As long as this remains the case, I have no problem with logging a small portion of Robinson Forest.  Most of the student groups I have talked to have not listed this as a major concern, but I do feel as if this is worth monitoring to ensure that the research conducted remains in line with the research proposed.  In response to voicing a different opinion to the UK administration, I can promise that I will work hard to involve my constituency in my decision-making process on hot button issues such as this one and will listen to all sides of controversial issues before making a one-sided or under-informed decision.

9. Use this space to address any additional ideas, plans, concerns, or platform ideas you have.

One final issue I feel strongly about – and plan to address via legislation – is requiring the Senate to set aside 40% of their funding for student organization projects and events for the spring semester.  During this past year, due to financial mismanagement, Student Government had spent all of their available funds for special projects by the holiday break, leaving student organizations planning spring events without available financial support from SG.  Earmarking 40% of our available funds for spring semester events ensures that the Senate can financially support the good things being done by our 300+ student organizations ALL year long.