Student Government

Neil Shah: Please contact me at neilshah@uchicago.edu with any questions or concerns about campus life or the University.  I will address them before the University’s administration.  I am open to suggestions on how you believe the University should be spending its money or running its facilities.  I will work to make student government more accessible to the general student body, thereby allowing public opinion to influence legislation.  Vote for me as your Freshman Representative.  In cooperation with Ajeet, Melita, Neil, and Patrick.  Working together to bring change.

Benjamin Jacobson: Hailing from New York City, the 24/7 lifestyle is in my blood. I don’t sleep. Like Ari Gold from Entourage, I will kick ass for you. Actively involved in Student Government in High School, I authored important resolutions on club funding, attendance policy, and helped rewrite our school constitution. I also served on committees advising the headmaster of my school about our 5-year plan. I have the necessary government background to be successful here at U Chicago. As a member of the Cross Country, I bring the unique perspective of the Student Athlete. In just the three weeks we’ve been here I see many things we can improve. During O-Week we should have more events that mix up students from different houses and dorms, so that we can meet kids outside of our houses.  Environmentally I have ideas about recycling and dining. Check out my facebook group for more details. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=181828678744&ref=mf

Yoni Einhorn aka DJ YOYO

Name: Yoni Einhorn aka DJ YOYO

Hometown: Orlando, FL aka O-Town

Height: 5′10”

Weight: 155 lbs

Why I’m the guy for Student Government Representative:

Leadership. President of Tutoring services that aids underprivileged children in the Greater. O-Town area. Captain of the HS soccer team. Head organizer of event planning services. Trained and professional DJ who provides apprenticeships to young promising DJ’s I have more reasons but I only have 150 words Goals as Student Government Representative:VERY IMPORTANT: If I were elected, my first and foremost goal would be to represent YOU. I would be open to any suggestions and any insight YOU would have. ALSO VERY IMPORTANT: I am a firm believer that hand sanitizer stops the spread of bacteria, viruses, and disease. If I were Student Government Representative, I would try to influence the omnipotent leaders of our university to increase the availability and accessibility to hand sanitizer dispensers.

Tara Kumar: Each one of you has different expectations for your student

government leaders.  I, however, am one individual who will

inevitably fail know the majority of the desires of the class

of 2013.  You may ask, “Why should I vote for you?” You should

vote for me because I will listen to you before I speak for

you.  Diverse reasons prompted each one of us to attend the

University of Chicago, yet the overwhelming atmosphere is one

of intellectual rigor and passionate thoughts.  This class

collectively has the potential to provide brilliant ideas

which will far surpass mine alone.  Hence, I aim only to be

your voice, not to be your decider.  Through my experience in

high school student government and my approachability, I am

sure that I will be able to relay your thoughts effectively.

Vote for Tara Kumar for your Class of 2013 College Council

representative.

Travis Benaiges: I want to grow by giving all that I know.  I want my energies and passions to synergize equally with those of my environment and all the students here at UChicago. Hello, my name is Travis, and I am terrified of graduating college without having met you (socializing at the reg doesn’t count).   I feel like there is so much I can contribute to the, no doubt mighty, mighty U of C and I can’t help but feel anxious for full immersion. Throughout my high school career, I devoted countless hours to leadership development and service to our one world. Serving as a Key Club Int’l District Governor, I managed a 14,000 member organization (encompassing 3 nations) and orchestrated the best possible dissipation of information going in both directions.  At this level, the art of communication becomes a fine art.  But Im no Van Gogh; Im quite mentally stable, then again Im only a first year. I understand by experience that collectively we can build, progress and clarify. As class representative an  integral part of my initiative would be to make you and your contentions just as integral to the function and direction of our progressive institution.

In Hope and Passion

Travis Benaiges

Jakub Tucholski: I am Jakub Tucholski, a first-year running for a position on the College Council. I will aim to ease transportation, budget, and student life issues on campus, as well as promoting community relations and government transparency. I wish to provide students with a reliable source of late-night transportation and a direct bus route to downtown. Also, I will work to direct more of the University’s budget away from unnecessary projects and toward financial aid, and to make RSO funding easier to secure. As a representative from the South Campus Residence Hall, I will ensure that construction is finished as soon as possible, as it has become disruptive to student life. I would also like to see an increased amount of outreach programs, allowing the college to strengthen relations with the greater community. Additionally, I will advocate an open government structure with live camera feeds and email newsletters.

Molly Munson: Have you heard a jackhammer at 7AM in the morning in South Campus or are you concerned the University might cut some its programs because of financial difficulties? I want to help you address these concerns and many more. In the past, I have worked through obstacles by enacting political change by representing my state at Girls Nation and working on a bill for passage in the Georgia legislature. I believe that my previous experience and accessibility will be a winning combination to achieve your goals for this campus.  As they say in my hometown, if you elect me as your representative, then everything will be just peachy.

Frank Alarcon: I am committed to serving you, the Class of 2013, as an independent voice and accessible representative in the College Council. I am deeply fascinated by the ability of government to make people’s lives better, and improving campus life will be my overarching goal as your representative. I will make myself accessible to you and support a policy to require council members to hold “office hours” to better connect the student body with its elected student government. I will work passionately and compassionately to ensure that all RSO’s enjoy sufficient funding and that none of your ideas are ignored. I am from Mill Valley, California, the University of Chicago is the school of my dreams, and I plan to major in Public Policy Studies here. Please visit my campaign blog (frankforcouncil.blogspot.com) to learn more about me, my campaign, and what I can do for you! Take care.

Melita Aquino: Hi, I’m Melita Aquino.  I’m running for Class of 2013 Representative.  I was not involved in student government in high school, but am excited to participate in college SG.  I believe I have what it takes to be a good representative.  I am always open to talking with people and discussing their ideas.  When I set my mind to it, I will get the job done, whether this is lowering text book prices, getting the hottest band for Summer Breeze, or getting more forks for the dining halls.  Along with getting the job done, I will make sure that you are informed every step of the way.  In cooperation with: Ajeet, Melita, Neil, and Patrick. Working together to bring change.

Patrick Ip: I serve as the youngest Assembly District Delegate for the State of California, and was elected as one of the youngest politicians in California History. I have the distinction of the Presidential Service Volunteer Award, having served over 6000 hours of community service. I’ve also led the California Student Campaigns for both President Barack Obama and California’s Lt. Governor John Garamendi as their respective State Directors. I’ve also opened my own non-profit, Project Yes We Can, which works to reform education in California. My belief is that by working together with you, we can get things done.  Thus, I am working in cooperation with: Ajeet, Melita, Neil, and Patrick. We are working together to bring change.

A Special on Patrick Ip by ABC News 10

http://www.news10.net/video/default.aspx?playerId=newsmaker&maven_playlistId=63762cfa11fe40643571b0d28136516c002a19f3&maven_referrer=mrss&maven_referralPlaylistId=63762cfa11fe40643571b0d28136516c002a19f3&maven_referralObject=1129079778

Marco Jaimes: I live in Max P. West and I am undecided on my major, however what I am not undecided on is my commitment to the class of 2013.  My biggest issue in this campaign is not solely promoting my personal agenda/platform (such as offering a better variety of food in the dining halls (I hear South Campus has some problems with their menu…) as well as better funding for all RSOs), but listening to the class as a whole. If you want the college to do something, send me an email (marco2013@att.net) and I’ll do everything I can to get it done. The most important part is that I’m working for YOU, and as such I listen to YOU.

Danielle Landrein: For too long, student government at U of C has been on the on the DL

(the “down low”). The students at UChicago are busy, whether reading

Gilgamesh at Regenstein or pre-gaming at Max P. Either way, that’s

changing. With a record breaking 19 candidates running, its obvious

Student Government is increasingly important to the Class of 2013.

Important decisions need to be made, regarding CTA bus routes that

affect UChicago students, the new meal plan, and that whole “fun comes

to die here” rumor.  That’s why you need to vote DL (Danielle

Landrein) for U of C. President of three clubs, editor and founder of

a student publication, member of multiple advisory boards, some of

which made descions that affected traffic laws at state levels,

Danielle Landrein knows how to take things off the DL.  The question

is, do you?

Vote DL for UofC, Class of 2013 Representative.

Shefali Agrawal: I have had leadership experience throughout my high school

career. From being captain of the girls water polo team,

leading summer art studios for young people over the summer,

being a certified yoga instructor, president of my school

environmental club, working as a member of an advisory board

to the administration, to being a girl scout for six years,

I am the perfect candidate. I am involved and will always

listen to everything you have to say.

At Uchicago I am a member of the Wind Ensemble, sailing

team, and IHC (Inter-House Council). I plan to be a member

of additional organizations.

Karissa Woienski: Hey, my name is Karissa and I’m running for first year

Representative. Note that the operative term is

*representative* – while I do have ideas and thoughts about

things I might like to change at the school, my main goal is

to represent you, and work on the issues you care about.I’ve

heard a little bit about bus/shuttle problems at Broadview,

but if there’s anything you’re less-than-thrilled about, let

me know. Please shoot me an email if you have any questions,

suggestions, or comments; if elected, I’m your representative,

and I want to fulfill that role as best as possible! My email

is: kwoienski@uchicago.edu ALso, I haven’t gone into much

detail about my experience, but if you want to know my resume,

email me and I’ll be happy to oblige.

Anish Bhatnagar

1. Passion: Bottom line is that I’m a massive fan of my fellow first-years and will do everything I can to help them out. That means you.
2. Diversity: I was born in Wellington, New Zealand and later moved to Kuwait. I then spent eight years in Dubai before coming to Chicago. Every day of my life I’ve met people unlike any other I’ve encountered, and that holds as true as ever for my time so far at the U of C.
3. Chillage: This may not be a real word but it’s what I’m going to call my attitude toward day-to-day life. There is a certain degree of intensity I see here as a part of meeting our daily challenges, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all have a great time. Let’s work together to make sure nothing brings us down.

Ajeet Singh

As the Secretary of Academics, I debated school policies at building, district, and state levels. My experience allowed me to write a new constitution for the student government, reorganizing the positions to facilitate greater efficiency when addressing student, school, and community needs. I traveled to Washington DC on behalf of the Iowa State Education Association to lobby for educational policy reform, and then as a leader for Character Counts in Iowa, I presented to the National Forum on Character Education. I founded our school’s award-winning Model UN team, which has quadrupled in size over the past two years. As a school Ambassador, I helped start the largest peer-tutoring program for students. My belief is that by working together with you, we can get things done.
Ajeet, Melita, Neil, and Patrick- We are working together to bring change.