Personal Statement

"I am running for the College of Fine Arts Senator position because I know that I can make a
difference in not only the college of Fine Arts but UK as a whole. I will work hard to mend broken
relationships, strengthen the good relationships, and build new and lasting relationships with the
entire campus as a representative of the college of Fine Arts. My goal is to make sure that all of
UK realizes the vast amount of talent within every single discipline here in the College of Fine
Arts and also to understand the needs that we all face as students in this college. For this
University to become a Top 20 University it is IMPERATIVE that the students of Fine Arts have all
the necessary amenities for daily college life. I will work very hard towards making sure that each
and every student within the College gets exactly what they deserve: A great education and a
great place to be educated! The College of Fine Arts is a HUGE asset to this University and if
elected as Senator to represent you as a student I will make sure that they know it! I ask of you
only one thing: Stand by me in my race for Senator of Fine Arts and help me to make the
changes that you want to see. If you do this, not only will I give you a voice in Student
Government, but it will be a LOUD voice! Be the CHANGE!!"

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 believe that one of the biggest issues involving diversity on campus is with the general student’s understanding and awareness of diversity, such as what it is exactly and how to not only accept it but how to celebrate it.  I want to work with the President’s Commission on Diversity on educating students in both of the things that I mentioned above. 

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

 Safety is something that shouldn’t be hard to obtain or maintain on a college campus, but year after year we seem to see otherwise.  I want to work side by side with the Violence, Intervention and Prevention Center to better educate students on the ways to avoid negative situations which could lead to harmful ones, and also work hard towards getting more students involved with VIP and SEEDS to create a much more educated and safer campus.

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

One of the bigger things that student government can do to help maintain affordable higher education is already being done and I have been taking a part in that as well.  Student Government has been organizing letters to be sent to each individual student’s legislator(s) telling them how much the budget issues are affecting them as students and as Kentuckians.  Members of Student Government and others have also traveled to Frankfort to speak one on one with legislators about the issues as well.  To maintain the positive effect that this is having, Student Government needs to keep this, and all activities like this, in action.  With the student body’s help we can make a difference and keep a loud voice in Frankfort for the University of Kentucky.

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?

Voter education is a very tough challenge.  I realize that this issue is a very big one, but overcoming this challenge is something I have yet to figure out.  I have made it one of my top goals to work with fellow senators, if elected, towards better voter education and participation in on-campus and general elections.

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

I would love to be able to speak to every single landlord around the Lexington area about keeping off campus housing affordable.  I know personally that each year the price of off campus housing goes up and with tuition increases that happen each year as well it gets increasingly harder to pay for college.  I have made it a goal to work with local landlords and the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to lower the cost of off campus housing and make it more accessible and affordable for everyone.  I will also work towards sponsoring an event where local landlords and the LFUCG will come to campus and answer questions that students may have for them.

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?

I will personally make myself more aware the different types of events that are going on around campus and try to attend as many of those events/meetings as possible.  In attending a diverse array of events with the many student organizations we have on our campus I will then become more educated and aware of our diverse student body.  At each event/meeting that I attend I will also make it a goal to talk to the student leaders within those organizations to get a good, solid idea of what they need/want as not just an organization but more importantly as students themselves.

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?

Sustainability is something that should never be an afterthought when working on a project.  If there is a way to do something that would help the environment and not deplete the supply of natural resources I believe that we should definitely take that route.  If I see the possibility for improving sustainability on campus I will fight for that possibility to become a reality.  One of the plans that I have for making UK a more green-friendly university is to really push for more recycling.  I see people everyday that walk by a recycling bin and throw paper in the trash.  I want to try to make students much more aware of the need for accessibility of recycling.  Secondly I want to encourage students to use bicycles more as opposed to getting in their car to drive a mile to class.  It’s healthier, and much safer for the environment.

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?

My view on the Robinson Forest Issue is that the research being conducted, and the funds for scholarships that will become available from the logging is something that we definitely need as a state.  But, when it comes to representing students, that’s exactly what I want to do as a senator.  If I have a certain view on a particular subject, such as the Robinson Forest issue, that goes against the student body’s voice or belief, then I will make my opinion be heard while at the same time making sure to let the administrators know exactly what the student body wants.

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

As senator for the College of Fine Arts I will make it my goal to make sure that all of UK realizes the vast amount of talent within every single discipline here in the College of Fine Arts and also to understand the needs that we all face as students in this college. For this University to become a Top 20 University it is IMPERATIVE that the students of Fine Arts have all the necessary amenities for daily college life such as wireless internet and classrooms, practice rooms, and studio spaces that are in better than horrible condition. I will work very hard towards making sure that each and every student within Fine Arts gets exactly what they deserve: A great education and a great place to be educated! The College of Fine Arts is a HUGE asset to this University and if elected as Senator to represent you, I will make sure that they know it! I ask of you only one thing: Stand by me in my race for Senator of Fine Arts and help me to make the changes that you want to see. If you do this, not only will I give you a voice in Student Government, but it will be a LOUD voice!