College Government Elections: Statements of Intent

PRESIDENT

Kirsten Dorozynski

Dear Wellesley,

Hello! My name is Kirstin Dorozynski and I am running for College Government President.

I believe that, first and foremost, the CGP is the chief spokeswoman for the student body. The CGP speaks not for a select group of people, but for the interests of every single member of our community. To that end, I think it is absolutely vital that the CGP is available for questions, comments and concerns. As your CGP I will be approachable, fair, honest and passionate. I believe that in addition to the Constitutionally stated powers and duties of the CGP, it is imperative that the person you choose to fill this role cares about and is dedicated to every member of the Wellesley Community. I promise to share that dedication by working to further the practices and ideals of inclusion and tolerance and to celebrate every type of diversity. I believe that we have great initiatives in place, but we can always do more. We have some events that foster dialogue about controversial issues but we should be having these discussions more often, and more of us should be talking.

One of my goals as CGP is to improve the quality of the dialogue that is taking place on campus. There is a disparity between the information passed down from the administration to the greater student body. We should all be involved, and we should all be asking questions. To achieve this goal, I will work to improve the reporting of the information that Senate gets first hand, so that our entire community is informed.

Another one of my goals as CGP is to foster inclusion and involvement on campus. One of the things I love about Wellesley is the wide array of events, lectures, shows and goings-on that take place every day. I also know that the academic environment at Wellesley isn't the most relaxing.  As CGP, I want to not only work on improving the mental and overall health of our community members, but also encourage those people who take time out of their schedules to attend our many community events. These two ideas are connected in order to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle it is absolutely essential that we close the books, step outside, open our eyes and breathe.

I want to let you know that I have a lot of ideas, and a lot more to say. More importantly, I have so much more that I need to hear. If elected as your CGP, I will listen, consider, and act, doing my best to build our community up.

Thank you for your time. Please contact me about anything!

Sincerely,

Kirstin

Maggie Polachek

My name is Maggie Polachek, and it is with great honor that I announce my candidacy for Wellesley's 2011-2012 College Government President.  My passion and vision for our school are unmatched and I am driven to make Wellesley a better place.  I realize that this is no easy task, but it is one that I am committed to and one that, if elected, I will enthusiastically strive to achieve.  

While it is customary of College Government President candidates to promise solutions for every student issue, it would be dishonest for me to do so.  Of course, after three years of involvement in College Government two as a senator, and one as Vice President I am very familiar with the challenges that face our student body.  From day-to-day matters of transportation and dining services, to larger issues about intercultural education and mental health, I am in touch with student concerns on campus.  However, I do not believe that it is possible for one person to have the answers for everything, nor is this a realistic pathway to progress.  Change must take its form as a partnership among all students.  This is where our challenge lies.

There is no doubt that the student voice at Wellesley is often overshadowed by the priorities and needs of the administration.  Our school's strong ties to tradition do not often bode well for change.  But if we, as a student body, are able to unite and turn up the volume of our voices, I am convinced that the administration will hear us and work with us to achieve our goals.  As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of WAAM SLAM, Wellesley's most notable and successful campaign of student activism, I am inspired to carry on its legacy.

So, my question to you is this: what do we, as Wellesley College students, stand for?  Who are we as a student body, and what are our priorities?  How will we unite together, to make the impact that we aspire to achieve for ourselves, and for generations of Wellesley women to come?  These are big questions, but their answers are essential to the future of our College.  My goal is to lead us to them.   

I am devoted to this substantive undertaking.  I want to explore, develop and strengthen our Wellesley identity, so that students stand by each other no matter what.  But I cannot do it alone; we must collectively define our primary concerns and hopes for Wellesley.  My presidency is not about me; it is about us.   

I believe, as all of you do, that Wellesley Women are capable of anything.  We are strong, intelligent and courageous, and we know how to get things done.  We must capitalize on our strengths to shape Wellesley into the school that we want it to be.  Allow me to be the fuel that drives this initiative.  I will motivate us to further define ourselves, and I will work hard for progress.  I am confident that together we can succeed.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Katie Hargreaves

My name is Katie Hargreaves, and I would like to represent you as College Government Vice President for the 2011-2012 academic year.