Personal Statement

If I become a Senator-at-Large I will strive to meet the needs of the entire student body.  I was a member of the senate as a freshman and I believe I gained valuable experience that will help me as I go forward.  I will help all student organizations have a voice in the senate.  Being a sophomore, I will be able to see to it that the goals of both the university and the student body are met in the next three years.  If elected, I will work very hard to make the University of Kentucky and its students become a more cohesive unit working together for the betterment of the institution.

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 diversity is one of the resounding topics on this campus, and there is no way that UK can become a top 20 university with this major issue. There are many great groups at the University of Kentucky which help promote diversity, but I feel as if some go relatively unknown.  As a Senator-at-large to help solve this issue I would like to have these groups hold a number of events helping solve the diversity problem on this campus.  They could hold these events in conjunction many of the larger organizations, including Student Government, and it would in turn help these small groups spread their views among a larger audience.  I would also work closely with Dr. Judy Jackson to help insure that her plan to help solve the diversity issue on campus is carried out effectively.

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

The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center on campus has made tremendous strides toward ending sexual violence and I would like to continue to support their work.  As a Senator-at-large I would like to charge everyone in Student Government and the leaders of other campus organizations to go through their SEEDS program. I would also like to increase some of their funding so they might be able to reach a larger audience on campus.  Sexual violence is an issue which every campus is facing, and I am proud of UK and their efforts to combat this concern.

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

The recent budget cuts are an unfortunate barrier which all students at UK must face, but I guarantee that it will not derail the University of Kentucky’s mission of Top 20 by 2020 plan. One of the great costs towards a college education is textbooks.  Currently the average student pays approximately $900 towards books every year.  Student Government has already been mentioning the idea of no taxes on textbooks. Many state senators have taken to this idea and I feel that with constant support from our Student Government, this idea has a good chance to become a bill.  In the meantime we could also suggest to professors to try and find online textbooks for their classes in order to keep this cost down. While this idea may not totally offset the effect of the budget cuts, it would keep the cost of higher education affordable for the average student.

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 that Student Government has already taken many actions which will increase participation for on-campus elections by making the polls more accessible to students by incorporating an on-line voting system. They have also helped increase voter education by having various political officials come to campus and hold forums. If elected, I will make sure that these new attributes will only be a starting point, because the voice of every student at UK deserves to be heard and supported.

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 students of the University of Kentucky are a large portion of the Lexington community and many will go on to be the leaders of this great city.  As a Senator-at-large I will make sure that our students’ voices are heard in the community and that our needs are met.  This includes housing for students choosing to live off campus and I will do everything I can to make sure that the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government will continue to develop new housing possibilities for students while continuing to keep current housing possibilities available.

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?

It would be ignorant of me to think that I know the needs of every UK student, but I am willing to learn in order to better represent our student body. I believe that the best way to understand the people which I am representing is by putting myself in their shoes.  I will attend meetings of various organizations in order to understand their need and letting them know of the help which Student Government can offer. Being able to get input from the members would prove invaluable to my ability to represent this campus.

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 has taken many steps toward making UK a more green-friendly campus, but I feel as if many students do not know about these efforts. As a senator I will make sure that information on this great service which UK provides will be spread among our student body.  I think that knowledge of the program will help ensure its success amongst the student population. We could increase this knowledge by printing some eco-friendly suggestions in the Kentucky Kernel daily and making sure that it is a point of emphasis during the students’ orientation into the University.

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?

While I feel that research on proper logging techniques would be a great benefit to the University, I feel as if the Robinson Forest is too valuable to give up that much land.  If the proposed area of research was narrowed I may have a change on view, but I feel that the forest’s diverse eco-system will be threatened by this act.  I would be more than willing to voice an opinion different than mine to the UK administration if it was apparent that a majority of the UK student body had a view different from that of my own.  I feel that Robinson Forest is one of the most valuable resources which UK possesses and having had the pleasure of visiting the forest, I feel that the University can not risk to damage the area.

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

If elected, I will work hard to make the University of Kentucky and its students a more cohesive unit, working together for the betterment of the institution.