Note: The following endorsement was based off of a consensus of The Scout staff.
In our 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 SBO endorsements, we were faced with the dilemma of who to endorse because there were so many candidates running. While we are left wondering how we went from 17 candidates last year to a mere five this year, The Scout believes the options we do have are strong nonetheless.
Polls open Monday and Tuesday for students to vote on SBOs, and be it Student Senate or 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., the student body’s opinion definitely matters.
President candidate Jason Blumenthal, running formally unopposed, deserves the vote of the student body.
A sophomore political science major, Blumenthal has not wasted a moment of his time here on campus, working to positively impact the student body and open the lines of communication between administrators and students.
As the current vice president of city & local affairs, Blumenthal has passed numerous resolutions and has been quick to answer each of his constituent’s concerns. From Student Activities Budget Review Committee (SABRC) to the Red Sea, from College Republicans to Bradley Fellows, Blumenthal has shown through his actions that he is willing to do what it takes to make Bradley a better campus for students.
Any presidential candidate can say he or she wants to see a change in his or her university, but Blumenthal has voiced exactly how he plans to do so through his actions, resolutions passed and vocal presence on campus.
His passion for the Student Senate, but more importantly the student body, shines through, and we can see no better candidate than he for our next SBO president.
Sophomore Sarah Handler, formally unopposed candidate for speaker of the assembly, is exactly what the student body needs to rise to the next level.
Beyond Handler’s current experience as vice president of academic affairs, Bradley Sustainability Committee member, General Education Committee member and Library Committee member, her passion to make change is evident on a campus-wide scale.
Handler recently returned from her second year as a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, yet her humility would never let you know that.
While balancing the workload of a civil engineer, Handler also serves as the current vice president of membership for Kappa Delta sorority, treasurer for the Society of Women Engineers and works as a student admissions representative.
She is not afraid to speak her mind, she is confident and assertive and she knows how to get a job done the right way the first time as we have seen in her passed resolutions over the 2013-2014 school year.
Handler’s involvement throughout campus and her constant strive for excellence proves she is ready and willing to take on the role of speaker of the assembly.
Junior political science and accounting major Hunter Vaughn, and candidate for secretary of finance, is not only experienced in a financial and business background but possesses the leadership skills to serve as an SBO.
Currently the Interfraternity Council (IFC) treasurer, Vaughn works on financial planning and organizational communication among 15 fraternities.
Beyond IFC, Vaughn serves as treasurer of the Global Business Association, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and Powder Ski and Snowboard Club.
To say he is experienced in financial and business affairs would be an understatement.
He served on Student Senate in the 2012-2013 school year which gives him the experience and tenacity the position requires, yet he brings a fresh set of eyes and an open mind to a ticket that contains three current Student Senate members.
We are confident that as the secretary of finance, who also serves as a voting member of SABRC, Vaughn will represent the student body with professionalism, confidence and plenty of new ideas.
While Kelsie Smith, Vaughn’s opponent for secretary of finance, possesses many great characteristics, we believe Vaughn’s financial background and leadership skills are a better fit for the secretary of finance.
Freshman secetary of the assembly candidate Olga Krapivner is prepared to be an SBO.
She has proven, in her role as a senator at large, involvement in Kappa Delta sorority and participation in Bradley College Republicans, that she takes the initiative to get involved beyond simply signing up.
Being secretary of the assembly requires not only taking notes during meetings but distributing those minutes in a timely fashion, interacting with senators on a regular basis and being organized and professional enough to keep the lines of communication open.
While the job description does not seem overwhelming, the ability to do those three things well can greatly impact the efficiency and communication in and around Senate.
With all of the candidates stressing the need for greater communication, Krapivner’s involvement and organizational skills can help student senate go above and beyond.
