Personal Statement

I believe that as the University of Kentucky strives towards becoming a Top 20 Research Institution, the administration must make the advancement and overall improvement of undergraduate education a top priority. As Kentucky’s flagship institution we must be concerned with the quality of our education, or risk falling by the wayside. Making the University of Kentucky an environmentally friendly campus is crucial both in regards to alternative transportation and green fuel sources. As a Senator, I would endeavor to represent issues students believe in such as the preservation of Robinson Forest and an overhaul of the meal plan system. I believe that Student Government must do everything it can to increase diversity, dialogue, and cooperation on campus as a whole and between student organizations. Most importantly as your Senator I would promote individual and overall ethical standards in both my personal actions and in Student Government itself. I am running because I believe that the University of Kentucky is a great institution, and I am committed to the wellbeing of its student body and of the power of progress in all aspects of campus life.

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?

As YOUR senator I want to increase the dialogue between all student groups. The University of Kentucky has a fantastic assortment of interests, which work together to make this the great place that it is. The student body must recognize that the better these groups communicate and work together the more capable of working towards progressive change we all are. There are some issues with diversity which need to be addressed.  Last semester’s Kernel cartoon controversy highlighted the long seeded differences between black and white students on campus, and our segregated Greek systems. The separation between the overall Greek community and the rest of the student body needs to be examined. Student Government must take the lead in resolving such issues. Events that look to bring together the black and white community as well as the other groups on campus need to be developed and promoted. The gap between Greeks and non-Greeks needs to be bridged through more community service events, such as UK FUSION, throughout the year and opportunities for all students to get involved in becoming leaders of campus. Change can only come when we have the moral courage to work together; I feel it is this courage to do what is right that would make me an excellent representative of the student body.

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

Great strides have been made in the area of campus safety and sexual violence, but there are improvements which can be made. Lighting on campus needs to be improved to promote safety. I also will advocate the installation of more emergency call boxes on campus. When activated, these units immediately make a call to the University of Kentucky Police wherein a police officer will know the exact location of any trouble, speeding help. This system is already in place at other Universities including Western Kentucky University where they have widespread use. Increasing the presences of police on foot around campus at night is also important. These officers should be more concerned with getting students safely home and preventing crimes, instead of focusing on arresting intoxicated students trying to return home. The University of Kentucky Police force should be there to protect students and to make CAMPUS a safer place rather than focusing on surrounding neighborhoods and partiers. I support the work done by the VIP Center and believe that education and prevention is essential to reducing sexual violence on campus. Again a dialogue between students, the police officers who serve them, and groups such as the VIP Center will make campus a safer place for everyone.

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

I feel that Student Government has a responsibility to the students they represent to work in Frankfort on issues that will affect UK. I am currently interning with the House of Representatives and have gained an understanding of the system and how students can be effective proponents of favorable legislation. The key is not always to have large rallies but to foster relationships and personal interaction with the legislators themselves. If elected I would meet with members of both the House and Senate to individually discuss the issues at hand. Education truly does pay, and every citizen of the Commonwealth and member of the General Assembly should realize this. 

Working with the legislature is vital for every member of Student Government, but in addition we need to work closely with the University administration to keep costs for students low. I would promote responsible spending and audits and accountability at every level of Student Government and other student services to insure the maximization of expenditures. Inefficient or corrupt systems only hurt the students they are supposed to help. Students want effective services, but they also want to keep their education costs from skyrocketing.

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 believe in recent years Student Government has taken great steps towards increasing voter turnout and has made it easier for students to participate and cast their votes. Increased education for voters is beneficial for any Student Government election; therefore, additional opportunities for candidates to interact and speak with and answer questions from the student body would be advantageous. I would also support Student Government working with both the College Democrats and College Republicans to foster student political involvement.

For off-campus elections I believe that Student Government should act to foster knowledge of the political process and candidates on both the state and national level. I would also advocate trying to make the University of Kentucky a site of a presidential campaign debate.

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

The establishment and maintenance of a productive dialogue between Student Government, landlords, and the Lexington government is crucial to creating an environment in which students can safely live. There were problems this year due to disruptive behavior after certain football games, but they were few and far between when compared with the total number of students living off campus. I feel that Student Government must act to protect students from overzealous responses from landlords and the city of Lexington. I would be willing at times to serve as a defender of the students I would represent. However the best defense is to prevent problems in the first place. It is for this reason that keeping the lines of communication open and striving to break down walls of differences and prejudice between campus residents, off-campus residents and student leaders is vital to all of our well being

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?

In my mind it is the diversity of interests present on UK’s campus which make us a better student body. It is in differences of opinion, values, and ideas that great change and progress is developed. If elected as a senator, I plan to meet on a regular basis not only with the larger groups on campus but with small groups who may feel under represented by a system they feel is dominated by Greeks. I feel that the ability to understand a problem is directly linked to how well you understand everyone involved. I take this as a personal challenge to not let any one mindset define my interests but to instead reach out to the entire student body and to constantly work to increase my understanding. I will be open to meet with a student or group at anytime to hear their thoughts and to strive to serve them, not myself.

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 University of Kentucky must improve its sustainability and work to become a green campus.  One of my main goals is to better educate students about the options they have for public transportation. I believe many students shy away from using UK or Lexington’s bus system because they do not understand the routes and other details. Student government must work to educate students and to promote both the use of buses and bicycles. I feel that the University should be responsive to its student’s desires. For this reason I was disappointed to see the University not respond to its students wishes to see the implementation of a green fee to promote green initiatives on campus. As a Senator I will speak out to the administration and will work with organizations like Green Thumb to share the student body’s desires with the administration. The expansion of programs such as recycling in all campus building and dormitories, buying Kentucky grown agricultural products, and striving to promote the use of alternative fuels in campus vehicles and power generators must be continued.  

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?

The University of Kentucky must improve its sustainability and work to become a green campus.  One of my main goals is to better educate students about the options they have for public transportation. I believe many students shy away from using UK or Lexington’s bus system because they do not understand the routes and other details. Student government must work to educate students and to promote both the use of buses and bicycles. I feel that the University should be responsive to its student’s desires. For this reason I was disappointed to see the University not respond to its students wishes to see the implementation of a green fee to promote green initiatives on campus. As a Senator I will speak out to the administration and will work with organizations like Green Thumb to share the student body’s desires with the administration. The expansion of programs such as recycling in all campus building and dormitories, buying Kentucky grown agricultural products, and striving to promote the use of alternative fuels in campus vehicles and power generators must be continued.  

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

The students of UK must once again believe that Student Government is committed to serving them. In order to do this Student Government must make ethical standards a high priority again. As your Senator I will hold my actions and those of Student Government as a whole to the highest ethical standards.