Personal Statement

The fundamental purpose of Student Government is serving as a conduit between student body and University of Kentucky administration. Though there have been efforts to foster this bond, the rate of change can be accelerated with the right balance of senators. As candidates at-large, we (Jeremy Ridgeway and Christopher Chance) pledge not only to represent voices of unheard people, but pursue a relationship in which the student’s demands resonate loudly with UK staff, faculty and executive administration.  
 
Issues we will pursue without hesitation are listed below:
 
1) Improve and increase the efficiency of Student Government, and hold current Student Government officials to higher degree of ethical conduct.
2) An aggressive petition to University of Kentucky Administration for stronger, sensible, Environmental Policies in accordance with sustainable ecological principles.
3) Partner with campus safety to increase student protection via a student task force on campus safety. This group will meet bi weekly to review reports/make suggestions.
4) Foster a sense of inclusiveness; empowering students and student organizations who lacking an equal voice to become stakeholders in the great UK conversation.    
5) Create a new equation for progressive parking policies.
6) Push for diversity components of UK 101 promoting the tolerance of different religions, cultures, and sexual orientations amongst freshman.
7) Foster closer relationships between students and UK administration.
8) Continue to work with University Information Technology to deliver and improve upon existing online services and systems to students; as well as design and implementation of new applications designed to make student’s lives.  

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?

First of all diversity is more than just filling a quota to complete the “perfect picture” of unity on UK’s campus. It’s obvious that there are problems within the student body consisting of not only racial divides on this campus.

There are many differences amongst all of us, though you and I may be of the same race, sexual orientation, or religion we as individuals may be two complete opposites.

In order to not just promote diversity but see to it that diversity thrives on campus, one idea we plan to pursue with haste is to put a higher emphasis on a structured diversity component of the UK 101 course. This proposal would see to it that students take part in many events that on their own would not have attended like Greek Sing, a Poetry Slam, and even a Green Thumb meeting.

These types of conflicts that exist on campus are not derived from bad intentions but from a lack of knowledge. UK 101 is an integral step in educating our student population and therefore combating ignorance and cultivating a more welcoming environment.



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

Jeremy Ridgeway and Chris Chance are officially declaring war on sexual violence. UK should be a place where everyone can have so much confidence in campus security that they should never feel in danger of assault. In order to increase this confidence, we will better establish a net of safety throughout this campus. We will push to institute self-defense classes to educate and prepare students in the event of an altercation. We also promote VIP programs such as SEEDS to educate and change campus culture to assure that this confidence we speak of will be rooted concretely in the reality of a non-violent culture.

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

The Student Government has many responsibilities on campus, however the main responsibility of student government is serve as a voice for the students on this campus.

A major issue many students are facing is the possibility of a tuition increase which would leave many students with one choice: that is withdrawing from the university.

As a voice for the students we would not only voice our opinions and concerns against the tuition increase but also hold monthly informal meeting between student and administration. We also support lobbying in Frankfort to support the fight against a tuition increase. The main goal of these meeting would be to serve as an outlet for the general student body.

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?

Student Government should be the catalyst in the change in voting patterns of UK students. They should educate students as to why voting so important for general elections and elections on campus. SG needs to show that the students hold the power for change on this campus and in this country. There needs to be more dialogue between SG and students to better understand their experiences and concerns. We advocate voter education to better shift the focus of the on-campus elections from a popularity contest to real issues. In order to improve the involvement of students in voting in the general elections, Student Government should hold a mock debate between the candidates for the President of the United States by having a representative from both the College Democrats and College Republicans to express each candidate’s issues. National presidential debates should be played on campus in the Student Center and open to all students to watch together.  Student Government should be educated within itself to effectively promote voter registration among UK’s students.

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

We plan to establish guidelines with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government and landlords to ensure reasonable standards are maintained for student tenants. UK students are an asset to the Lexington community both economically and culturally and should be treated as such.

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?

There are many different groups within the campus of UK, often times more emphases are placed on the barriers between the groups rather than the initial purpose of the groups.

We (Ridgeway/Chance) are already members of various groups on campus; however we both understand that there are voices that aren’t heard. As your Senators-at-Large we would make it our duty to attend a majority of the group meetings on campus. This would foster a stronger bond between Student Government and the groups on campus. While meeting with the different groups we would make it a priority to reach those who aren’t in official groups by publicizing the SG meeting to the student body.

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?

The only organized recycling resources available that we are aware of on campus consist of RES LIFE, and we commend their efforts. This type of effort should be expanded campus wide by working with current student government recycling initiatives.

We support the passage of a small green fee to be used for sustainability and renewable energy.

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?

Currently we do not support the logging of UK-owned Robinson Forest, because the Robinson Forest is one of the most diverse pieces of land in this entire region. It also contains some of the cleanest all natural streams found in this area. With that being said the area is really valuable for research, therefore this unique forest should not be logged. 

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

No response