SGA Cabinet Elections on Friday

Niki Zahour

Frank Ameka, running alone, and Joel Lehman and Erika Kraybill running together are SGA Presidential Candidates for the 2005-06 year.

The SGA presidential candidates, junior Frank Ameka, running alone, and juniors Erika Kraybill and Joel Lehman, running together, participated in a public debate at Common Grounds on Wednesday evening. They shared their goals and ideas for next academic year and answered questions from students.

Ameka wants to "provide leadership for all those who really care about EMU." He wants to bring SGA to the people through residence hall visits, and as an international student, believes that he can bring diversity and a different opinion to the SGA cabinet and student body. He "sees potential in making SGA a people's organization."

Kraybill and Lehman are also interested in being accessible to students in addition to fostering a relationship between the administration, the Board of Trustees, and students during the prioritization process. They gave examples of what SGA has done this year, such as extending the Den's hours after they had been cut and increasing the student fees. They want to use the increased student fee money for a senate leadership retreat, to continue the Student Lectureship Series, and help the Campus Activity Council (CAC) provide large-scale events such as concerts. To accomplish their goal of listening to students, they plan to create an AOL Instant Messenger screenname for SGA so students can chat with SGA members, in addition to creating an Internet digital dropbox for ideas that students want to contribute.

In response to "How will they connect and continue what has been done this year, next year?" Kraybill and Lehman said they would continue the Student Lectureship Series and work on establishing positive and respectful relationships with the Board of Trustees and the Administration.

Ameka applauded SGA's work this year and said that he would first build better relationships with the students.

Both tickets promised to utilize the senators and cabinet members. One of Ameka's reasons for running alone is to let the Vice President and other members of the cabinet and senate take more responsibility. Kraybill and Lehman believe that senators are the best way to hear from the student body and would use the roles of the senators to connect with students. They also look forward to learning how and when to delegate.

One program that Kraybill and Lehman would focus on is publicity about what SGA is doing that would affect students. "The more students know about SGA, the more they will get involved," said Kraybill.

Ameka would focus on the Student Endowment Fund, of which he is a part. He is passionate about the fund and its mission to enable EMU students to give back what EMU has given them.

Each candidate wants to create a sense of community. Ameka, coming from the community-oriented culture of Kenya, plans to have a celebration with faculty and students to create a bond at EMU. "Community comes when people learn how to trust people," said Ameka. Kraybill and Lehman agree that EMU is lacking a sense of unity but emphasize that it is not an easy problem. Lehman discussed the fact that the administration is considering adding housing similar to the Martin House-style community. He and Kraybill would support this change. They would also have events where students can talk to each other about certain issues and topics.

Each candidate would support continuing the Union of Student Organizations next year. Lehman would try to increase dialogue between clubs and believes there is great potential for the USO. Kraybill would talk to student leaders and ask them how the USO would best serve their needs. Ameka said he would ask Deanna Durham to facilitate the process.

Each would advocate a way to keep Common Grounds open after the Lilly Grant ends. Ameka would create a way for students to donate food to be sold for profit. Kraybill and Lehman do not believe Common Grounds will be cut, but rather think it will be integrated into another of EMU and students will be able to work there as a work study position.

All candidates have previous leadership experience that they have learned from. Kraybill emphasized learning everything she can about an issue and relying on students for information, which she has done as an SGA Senator. Lehman realized at his position of Co-Editor of The Weather Vane that he needs to ask people specfic questions about what they are thinking and what they want. Ameka has learned that he needs to come to the students first after working with the International Student Organization.

The Peer Review Board is being reinstituted next semester. Each candidate supports the idea of a PRB. Ameka served on it for two years, though no cases were brought to him. He believes that "students look at it from your level and they understand what's going on." Kraybill and Lehman support the program because "it allows discipline to take a personal human dimension where better consequences develop."

Junior Katie King is running uncontested for Vice President. Junior Ed Lunney is running uncontested for Treasurer. First-year Brianna Rodriguez is running against junior Stephanie Miller (spring) and sophomore Liza Heavener (fall) for Secretary.