I think the number one issue on campus concerning diversity is the unfamiliarity with other cultures, races and religion.  People do not know enough about other students races/cultures and instead of becoming educated they insult or avoid people they are unfamiliar with.  I think the Diversity Dialogues are a great place to start to bridge the diversity gap on our campus. I also think we need to encourage students of different races and cultures to reach out to one another and educate themselves.

Sexual violence is something that has to be taken very seriously on our campus.  The University of Kentucky needs to not only protect the campus but we also need to work on making the Lexington area safer for our students.  People are assaulted not only on but also off campus.  This creates the need for students to be fully aware of how to protect themselves when in an uncomfortable situation.  I believe it would be beneficial for students to interact in a safety awareness program when they first begin school here at UK.  This can be done through informative sessions during K Week or classes such as UK101.  Also, I think that they need to know the first day they step on our campus that there is a VIP center and they are here to help them in case, God forbid, something did happen to them. 

First, Student Government needs to keep up with what they have been doing and keep meeting with the legislators and letting them know that these budget cuts are not acceptable.  The Student Government needs to be an advocate for students and let the legislators know that education is important and it is something that UK students care about.  Another thing that Student Government should do is look for other possible areas that the school could get money from instead of just immediately raising tuition.  There is money somewhere; we just have to find it!

The University of Kentucky campus needs to feel inspired by their candidates.  People who run for offices need to not only be seen during the two days the polling locations are open but they need to be seen all throughout the school year.  If the student body is inspired by a candidate they will vote for the candidate in an on-campus election.  As for general elections, I think Student Government is doing a great job getting the candidates either in office or running for office to come speak at our campus.  In the fall Steve Brashear came and spoke and unfortunately Ernie Fletcher had a last minute conflict and was unable to attend. We also are looking forward to hosting Mayor Newberry who holding an open forum here on campus.  Much like on campus elections students are encouraged to come to these events and become fully informed about general elections and the candidates.  This can lead to students then voting for the general election candidates. Student Government also hold Voter Registration drives to encourage students to change their voting district to Lexington so that they can vote in the elections that effect them.

As a student who rents house from a landlord in the Lexington area this is an issue that I can easily relate to. As Student Government representatives we need to go to city meetings and talk to them and express our concerns.  The city will never know that we disagree with their plans if we keep silent.  We also need to talk to landlords and express to them our concerns. 

The main thing that I will commit myself to doing is to become more familiar with UK’s diverse and unique student body.  I want to meet with different groups of people to learn and understand their background and opinions towards issues. The better I understand who encompasses UK’s student body the better I will be able to serve them as a whole.

I think an issue that needs to be addressed is the use of paper plates and cups in the dining halls.  We could save so many paper products if we switched over to using real silverware and plates.  I think Student Government needs to keep the student body aware that the choices we make concerning our environment are going to effect us later.  Student Government needs to work closely with Green Thumb to get the information to the students.

I think that the Robinson Forest is a sacred part of our Kentucky land but I think logging the land could help out the University, student in the Eastern Kentucky area and it will help further our research.  Even though this is how I feel about the topic I understand that there are differing opinions throughout the student body.  I pledge to always put the University of Kentucky student body first.  The role of a Student Government is to represent all students not just the ones who are elected.  The Student Body’s opinions should always be put first.

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