Dear editors and the student body,
I write this acknowledging the fact that not a single student is formally running against me for the student body president position. I would like to respond to a few of the questions that were posed in the opinion section printed in the March 28 issue of The Scout.
First, I would like to state that I am upset that I am the only candidate formally running for this position; I am a huge advocate for democracy and wish to see democracy succeed in all settings, including on college campuses.
I would like to remind everyone that I was expecting to run against three or four people for this position and, at the last minute, the potential candidates decided they would not best serve the student body at Bradley University.
Although I am formally running unopposed, I do not feel I will do any lesser of a job.
I care deeply about our university more than I can ever express. I arrived on campus and immediately heard about how Bradley is a small campus where students of all backgrounds and levels of involvement knew each other and wanted to help one another however they could.
I find great joy in both being able to be a part of several organizations and working on projects with others to improve our community. We are a community that cares, and I want to be the one continuing to help build and grow these bonds.
Bradley University is at a point where it needs strong leadership to demonstrate the concerns of the student body to the administration. In my past two years on campus, I have led in multiple ways to show Bradley’s administration what the student body wants and needs.
Last year, I was Geisert Hall senator, and this year I am the vice president of city and local affairs.
When I have a peer tell me something is wrong, I don’t just smile and agree – I look into it. I go talk with the appropriate official that same day and ask what can be done to improve or solve the problem at hand.
Then, I get back to the concerned student and inform him or her what the students, faculty, administration and Bradley University as a whole can do to fix the problem.
I do agree with the fact that Student Senate is in need of a very large overhaul, and I plan on doing that. Students need to realize that there is an organization that is here for them – Student Senate.
Student Senate serves willingly and will do just about anything to make everyone’s Bradley University experience as amazing as it can be.
It is time we have a leader, like me, who knows the Robert’s Rules of Order to reform our Student Senate and compare it to other colleges nationwide and see how we as a student body can have more of a voice and make sure we are meeting students needs.
If elected, I plan to approach organizations of all kinds to see what they want and need. I would like to have the students answer polls to know just what they would like from their officials.
It is time we have a president that speaks for the people, and I will do everything in my power to do just that.
That is why I ask for your vote on April 7 and 8 to be your next student body president.
Thank you in advance!
Respectfully,
Jason Blumenthal, Sophomore
political science major
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly in person, by phone, or via email.
Cell: 815-403-7135
E-mail:
jblumenthal@mail.bradley.edu
