Janoff and Chiappe: "We finally agree"
By: Christina Chiappe and Erica Janoff
Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Columns
Not surprisingly, as the presidents of the Cal Poly College Republicans and Cal Poly Democrats, we are rarely in agreement. Our paths first crossed in middle school, back in the days when life was so much simpler, when student elections depended on who the nicest person was, or who was more popular, or maybe even whomever passed out more candy with their name on it. College changed everything. Freshman year, we ended up on opposite sides of our dorm room, and ironically, four years later we're on opposite sides of the political spectrum. And while our respective parties are usually at war, we've found it necessary to put aside our differences and unite over what we feel is for the greater good of our campus - Angela Kramer for Associated Student Inc. president.
After taking a look at all three candidates' platforms, we realized that each candidate has a very different stance on how ASI should be run, and each one appeals to a different type of student. But if Angela's campaign can unite two polar-opposite people like us, just think about the effect her presidency will have on the campus as a whole.
The role of the ASI president is to listen to student voices and act on student choices. Many students feel that they have not been represented during the past few years or that their student government leaders are unaccessible. Now more than ever, change has become crucial in order to promote a real student community on this campus. Angela can be our agent for change.
You may wonder what kind of experience Angela has to offer, but as fellow campus leaders, we can vouch that she is no stranger to campus politics. As a political science major, Angela understands government in ways that the others are hard-pressed to compete with. From her extensive work as a student activist, she has led campaigns, marched for equality and stood up at ASI board meetings when all others remained silent. An important example of this lies in the recent student outcry over the pending contract with JUC in Saudi Arabia. Students wanted a forum to have their concerns addressed when previous attempts to talk about the issue were shut down. Angela was the only member of the Board of Directors who stood up in public repeatedly, not only against discriminatory programs, but also in support of the rights of students to be heard by members of the Cal Poly administration, including President Baker.
After taking a look at all three candidates' platforms, we realized that each candidate has a very different stance on how ASI should be run, and each one appeals to a different type of student. But if Angela's campaign can unite two polar-opposite people like us, just think about the effect her presidency will have on the campus as a whole.
The role of the ASI president is to listen to student voices and act on student choices. Many students feel that they have not been represented during the past few years or that their student government leaders are unaccessible. Now more than ever, change has become crucial in order to promote a real student community on this campus. Angela can be our agent for change.
You may wonder what kind of experience Angela has to offer, but as fellow campus leaders, we can vouch that she is no stranger to campus politics. As a political science major, Angela understands government in ways that the others are hard-pressed to compete with. From her extensive work as a student activist, she has led campaigns, marched for equality and stood up at ASI board meetings when all others remained silent. An important example of this lies in the recent student outcry over the pending contract with JUC in Saudi Arabia. Students wanted a forum to have their concerns addressed when previous attempts to talk about the issue were shut down. Angela was the only member of the Board of Directors who stood up in public repeatedly, not only against discriminatory programs, but also in support of the rights of students to be heard by members of the Cal Poly administration, including President Baker.
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