2012 ASLC Election
Candidate for ASLC President
Academic year: Junior
Major: Mass Communication
Candidates for ASLC Vice President
Name: Jennifer Derke
Academic year: Sophomore
Major: Philosophy, Environmental Studies minor, French minor
Campaigning platform: To continue creating a unified student body voice that satisfies
the wants and needs of Linfield Students and to encourage Senate to reach its
full potential.
Why run for office?
I am passionate about student life at Linfield and I want to facilitate positive change on campus.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means having solid foundational values, guiding people towards goals, and wisely utilizing resources to speak out and represent.
Goals?
Expanding the quality of Senate discourse across myriad issues that presented in our meetings by creating a thriving community of senators. Encouraging senators to engage with constituents regarding how we feel our school is serving us. In all things, respect, optimism and productivity are key for success.
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Name: Susana Fajardo
Academic year: Junior
Major: Anthropology major, Latin American studies minor
Campaigning platform: I feel that the empowerment of students should be the main concern for any Vice Presidential candidate. Linfield students have so much power and influence, but often they forget it and their voice goes unused. And it shouldn’t! We have access to so many resources and people actually care about us, both as a student of the college and as individuals. People at other schools, especially bigger schools, are just I.D. numbers and tuition money, but at Linfield we are individual, real people. We’re all big fish because we live in a small pond. Because of this I really want to get students excited about student government again. We can do so many amazing things here! I’ve seen it happen before and it can happen again. I really want the Vice Presidency to serve the student body. If students want sustainability, or better lighting, or tastier food at football games then it’s the Vice President’s job to try to make it happen and make things better. I see it as a way to help other students to accomplish their goals. Managing the Senate in order to help Senators accomplish projects, hook students up with the right people, and better facilitate the relationship between Cabinet and the Senators are all of prime importance.
Why run for office?
I truly believe in the power of students. Linfield, as an institution, rests upon us. We're the foundation for everything and without students Linfield is just a bunch of really old buildings. This school is amazing and I love it here. I want the best for the ASLC. Ever since I was a kid I have felt a drive to help people. That was my answer when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I always told them “help people” because I never knew specifically now. But now I have one. Running for ASLC Vice President isn’t a vanity thing or just to pad my resume. It is far too much work and responsibility to take lightly or to do without caring, passion, vision, and drive. Luckily, I have all those qualities.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is, essentially, serving the people. Leaders should work on the behalf of those whom they represent and lead in order to benefit the situation for all. They do it in two ways: from the front and from behind. Leaders work as the face or the head of an organization. They lead by example. But they also work from behind, helping people from the ground up. Nothing gets done if the team does not function well so leaders also must help their team members to become successful themselves. The goal is to shape the team into a cohesive unit where everyone supports everyone else and can lead themselves if need be. When done right everything works like a machine.
Goals?
I would like to reconnect Senators with their constituencies. Although there are steps being taken now more needs to be done. The Senate, as the legislative branch of the ASLC, can wield great power. Students should be connected to the Senate because its actions are done on their behalf and in their name. One specific reconnection I want is making sure all the on-campus apartments are attached to a ResLife Senator because right now they are unrepresented. I would also like to start educating the freshmen early about student government. Often we are told that “you should care!” but not told why or how student government works here at Linfield. So, to remedy this, I want to send older Senators or Cabinet members to the colloquiums in order to spread the word and get freshmen in the know. I would also like to get more sophomore, juniors, and seniors into Senate. They’re a model for the younger members and have insight that comes with being on campus for a while.