As the election approaches for the Middlebury College Community Council, a non-academic issues forum composed of administration, faculty, staff and student representatives, candidates seek support for and advancement of their ideas. In getting to know them a bit better before the election, I interviewed the student challengers running this year, and asked them a series of questions concerning their principles, motives and personal tastes. Of the five of them, four were available for interview. Below are the questions I asked, and the candidates’ corresponding responses. [Note: though very nearly verbatim, the responses recorded are not direct quotations. Certain phrases have been changed and omitted for clarity and concision. In no way has the meaning or intent of any answer been altered.]
— Andrew Weaver, Staff Writer
(1) Why have you chosen to run for Community Council?
(2) What qualifies you for election to Community Council?
(3) If you had 25 trained monkeys at your disposal, which Shakespeare play would you make them perform?
(4) What do you anticipate to be the biggest challenges and decisions that the Community Council will face in the upcoming year?
(5) This is a chance to make a statement to the Middlebury community at large before the election. What would you like to say?
Janet Rodrigues '12
(1) For me, Community Council is a true example of a “more perfect union,” to quote the most powerful presidential speech given in my lifetime.(2) The first answer that comes to mind would be: I have been a member for the past year and I am knowledgeable of the capacities of the council to carry out discussions and reach potential solutions.
(3) “The Taming of the Shrew.”
(4) I anticipate a struggle America has been experiencing since the push for social equity and representation in the constitution; there will be greater discussion on co-existing as a student body with major and minor differences and how to bridge gaps among cultural mores and beliefs.
(5) In light of true campaigning: Help me, help you.
Jonathon Kay '11
(1)It’s time to step up. No more bull.
(2) I have over two years of experience in the SGA Senate and Community Council. I was the campaign manager of former President Hiba Fakhoury’s ’08 victory. I have one year of experience as editor-in-chief of New Cool, Middlebury’s freshest culture magazine. I am linguistic and determined, down to earth and I enjoy long walks on the beach. I take no prisoners.
(3) “Macbeth” or “Henry IV.” But probably “Macbeth.”
(4) The economic crisis and accepting the status quo. I expect a fight with the administration over my style: I am in it for the students and not for the admissions catalog. Too bad if you don’t agree; I’ll make sure we get things done. Top of my agenda: social house revamp (in a good way), study abroad revamp (no more horror stories from helpless study-abroad offices), and no more economic decisions from the top down. I think we’ve all had enough with unnecessary bureaucracy.
(5) Let’s make Middlebury what it once was: a college for students. No more pandering to trustees.
Raymond Queliz '11
(1) While student interest in Community Council has increased throughout my time at Middlebury, a lot of people still do not know what Community Council does. One of the reasons I am running for Community Council is to build more awareness and build a greater sense of community.
(2) I was on Community Council last year, chaired by Antoinette Rangel ’09. Under her leadership, I learned how to engage in meaningful discussions and make effective recommendations to the administration. Additionally, I am currently one of the Wonnacott Tri-Chairs, a POSSE scholar (MP9), a member of Kappa Delta Rho and a member of the MCAB Executive Board. (3) “Othello.”
(4) I believe that the biggest challenges the Community Council will face next year are changes to the College’s budget and housing, as well as issues surrounding parking and dining halls. I also think that one of the discussions next year will be of creating a sense of community for the increasing number of students at Middlebury.
(5) Community Council is the most effective forum for students to discuss non-academic issues facing our community. My three years here and my involvement with other organizations makes me a great candidate for Student Co-Chair of Community Council.
Kevin Broussard '11
(1) A lot of students don’t know how important Community Council is and what it can do to advance our own interests. I’d like to have a more open and transparent council, allowing the students to see how the council’s decisions affect everyone.(2) I’ve previously served on Community Council and I’ve worked in various roles around campus that help give me a certain advantage in dealing with the school’s administration. Plus, I’m flexible enough with my own ideas to make sure that the students also get their own input into the decision-making process.
(3) I’m not a huge Shakespeare fan, but I’ll choose “The Merchant of Venice.” It’s a great play and interesting to watch, but I also like it because of its connection to Will Smith’s “Seven Pounds.” If you haven’t seen that movie, you should.
(4) I’d really like to work with issues concerning housing, food options on campus, pass/fail courses, reducing miscellaneous student fees and expanding gym hours. I think all of these areas need some work, but they’re all achievable.
(5) [No Comment]
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