By the University of Colorado Student Government
The University of Colorado Student Government fall 2015 election will be held Oct. 26-29. Beginning Oct. 26 at 8 a.m., students can login to the听 page to vote.
Fall 2015 election Q and A:
1) Why is it important for students to vote in the elections?
Every student pays student fees to CUSG up to $297. CUSG manages about $28 million of student fees, and voting in the elections helps decide where that money will be spent.听
2) When and where do I vote?
Voting will be open on Monday, Oct. 26, at 8 a.m. and will close on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. There will be a link on the homepage of the student MYCUInfo page. Once students click the link, it'll take them to the ballot where they can cast their votes.
3) Who are the candidates being voted on?
For the five CUSG Representative at Large positions we have seven candidates- Kaitlyn Bove, Austin Ward, Quyncc Johnson, Lucas Larson, Weston Ballard, Mazhar Ali and Vanessa Melendrez.
For the ASSG (Arts and Science Student Government) we have Austin Roos and Abigail Horn Running.听
4) What should students know about their student government here at CU-麻豆影院?
All students should know that CUSG manages the spending of student fees. With over $28 million in funds, CUSG oversees the Rec Center, the University Memorial Center, and funding for student groups. CUSG is the voice of the students.
Candidate bios:
CUSG Representative-at-Large, Kaitlyn Bov茅
Hey everyone! I鈥檓 Kaitlyn Bov茅: a serious senior stoked to step up and running to be a Representative-At-Large for Legislative Council. Originally hailing from a small town in Ohio, I came to 麻豆影院 in search of a new perspective. I鈥檝e realized how important a community is in a huge university, and after having done an exchange program at a Portuguese university last semester, I realized that each campus is special and unique in its own way! When I was abroad I learned a lot about myself through my artwork, specifically photography. When I came back in the fall, I received the position to be the photographer for the Cultural Events Board. This is incredibly important to me because I am able to combine a passion with something as important as enhancing the culture and diversity on campus. I鈥檝e also gotten involved with CUSG, and became an appointed proxy for a representative this semester. Representation of such a unique and special community is something that has come to be very important to me, as I鈥檝e seen how essential coming together and cooperating is beneficial the lives of everyone involved. On campus, I鈥檝e been a member of the Model UN team for four years. It has been a crucial actor in helping me as well as so many others come together with like-minded individuals; I therefore understand the importance of having well-funded clubs, and I hope to enhance this as a representative. In addition, I鈥檝e been a CU NightRide driver for going on three years now. Having had this job, it has helped me realize the importance of campus safety. Fostering a safe and diverse community where every person is able to thrive would be my main priority as a representative. I would love the opportunity to work toward safety precautions in order to fight sexual assault and increasing the resources to any and all victims. I aim to represent the unique and diverse atmosphere that we all live in! Go Buffs!
CUSG Representative-at-Large, Austin Tyler Ward
My name is Austin Ward and I am running for Representative-at-Large for CUSG. I am currently a sophomore studying physics, but trying to transfer to engineering physics. I was born in Riverton, Wyoming, and after 15 years I moved down to Colorado Springs to finish out high school. Currently I swim for CU on our club team, and drive for the Buff Bus. One goal I have this year is to get more involved with our great campus, and take an active role in making everyone's experience here better. As a Representative-at-Large I will work to lower tuition, work with the city of 麻豆影院 to lower student housing, and increase funding to make our campus more eco-friendly. These are some of the ideas that I will push for as a Representative-at-Large. GO BUFFS!
CUSG Representative-at-Large,听Quyncc Johnson
Hello everyone! My name is Quyncc Johnson and I am currently a sophomore majoring in political science and psychology, and I鈥檓 excited to be running for CUSG Representative-at-Large! The CU community means a lot to me, as I have been visiting the Flatirons with my family for my entire life, which lends itself to my passion for this university. I hope to bring change to the student government through my passion for social justice and equity. In my short time as an undergraduate, I have spent time volunteering at the CU Restorative Justice Center and am currently working on a campaign to spread the awareness of mental health and wellbeing in young adults. Issues of safety and inclusion prevent many students from engaging fully with the academic and social environments offered by the university and the community, and I hope to affect positive change in all of these spheres. I come from a mixed race background and know firsthand the structural and individual aspects of society that might prevent students from feeling included. In order to keep up with the changing cultures on and around CU鈥檚 campus, I believe that strong policies can be crafted only by listening to the experiences of the community. Through my academic, personal and volunteer experiences, I believe that I can work to identify the issues faced by students on campus and then take strong action to create real change.
ASSG Representative-at-Large,听Abigail Esther Horn
My name is Abigail Horn and I am a junior studying psychology, with a minor in philosophy. I am running for ASSG Representative-at-Large. I also belong to CU鈥檚 chapter of the national law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta. My interest in justice and the legal system has inspired me to get more involved in CU Student Government and I would love to be a voice and a leader for the students of CU. Many students discuss and show concern for the various ways money is spent on our campus. I think it is important to have committed leaders who are available as a resource and strong voice for those with concerns about campus happenings. I am passionate and driven about benefiting those in need and representing the great diversity of groups that are present in the College of Arts and Sciences. I believe my open-mindedness and willingness to resolve problems will serve as an asset to the Arts and Sciences legislative board.
CUSG Representative-at-Large,听Lucas Christopher Larson
I am running for Representative-at-Large to help student voices be heard. I pledge to be focused on the topics of: the allocation and spending of our student fees, to improve the outcome of student life on and off campus and provide for opportunities for students to live up to their potentials. Since I am currently serving as a representative, I have proven that I am able to handle the responsibility, time commitment, and the procedures of this position while still excelling.听Getting this opportunity again would allow me to further improve, continue current legislation, and make sure student voice鈥檚 are represented as accurately and passionately as possible. I encounter many different views from around campus due to my engagement in business, engineering and on multiple campus clubs. My involvement on the Student Advisory Board to The Dean of Students gives me unique skills, relationships and perspectives that would be invaluable in this position. GO BUFFS!
CUSG听Representative-at-Large,听Weston Ballard
To get a few icebreakers out of the way, favorite animal: wolf; favorite outdoor activity: tie between hiking and wakeboarding; favorite city: Berlin; and biggest fear: spiders. Now that we have that out of the way, I want to say that I couldn鈥檛 be more excited to be running for reelection to serve as your representative for CUSG. Over the past year, I have both dedicated my life to bettering this campus as well as fighting for issues that are not only important to me, but also critical to many students here on campus. As a student of finance and computer science, I take great pride in the academic valor of this university. Being an Air Force brat, I have lived all around the world, which has given me the opportunity to grow to appreciate and welcome a community of diversity and intellectual uniqueness. During my time with CUSG, some of the issues I have worked to implement on campus are budget reconciliation to empower student groups, gender-inclusive housing and mental health awareness. With the current election season buzzing in the air, I have also fought to empower the voices of students to be more heavily involved in the local and national political process and help increase voter turnout. Upon becoming the current Speaker of Representative Council for CUSG, I cannot express enough how exciting it has been to continue to empower my fellow representatives and lead us onward to help other students succeed. My virtues are grounded in intellectual curiosity, appreciation for diversity, and drive for success. I hope you can join me on this journey and will support me in this election to further making CU a campus that is always becoming better than it was before. If you have questions or want to reach out, do not hesitate doing so at听Weston.Ballard@colorado.edu. Hope to hear from you, thank you for your support, and go Buffs!
CUSG听Representative-at-Large,听Mazhar Ali
Hello Buffs! My name is Mazhar Ali. I am a sophomore at the Leeds School of Business studying finance and accounting as well as pursuing an economics minor. I was born in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in 麻豆影院, Colorado. I am running for CU Student Government Representative-At-Large position. Here are some things about me. I went to Fairview High School and was a senator for student council for a couple years. I am a Diverse Scholar through the Office of Diversity Affairs in the Leeds School of Business. I like to believe I am involved with quite a few things here at this great university. I was a research assistant my freshman year conducting research for a faculty member. I was also a part of Leeds Council my freshman year working on projects the council had. During the summer of my sophomore year I was a Representative-At-Large through a proxy. I have worked on many bills and resolutions during my time here and have grown to love the work I do. I have officially become a permanent proxy and continue to work bettering this campus with you as the student in mind. I strive to promote diversity, inclusivity, transparency and sustainability. I听want to work with my peers, friends all my fellow Buffs to make sure every student has the opportunity to make the most of their college experience. When it's all said and done, I hope to create a close-knit community where everyone can thrive together.
