By Olivia Krauth–
The Cardinal invited all SGA candidates to fill out a survey so voters can learn more about them before elections. While several responses were edited for the print edition due to space constraints, the following are the full responses from each candidate.
Voting opens Feb. 15 at midnight and runs until Feb. 18. To vote, go to Ulink, click student services, find the ballots link on the right-hand side and follow the instructions.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT
Meghan Mattingly
Junior
Elementary and middle school education
I am excited to begin my first experience with SGA and help give a voice to the students at the university.
Chi Omega and Cardinal Club
I would like to work with the students at the College of Education become more involved in SGA. In hopes of improving our attendance at the SGA council meetings, I plan to visit each classroom and let them know the role of SGA and how getting involved can improve their college experience, as well as give a voice to our college on campus.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION VICE PRESIDENT
Mallory Seidel
Sophomore
Middle and secondary education with a track in English, minor in Spanish
N/A
The College of Education and Human Development is one of the largest colleges but we have no student council. I would really like to work on creating one for our students.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES PRESIDENT
Jessica Morgan
Junior
English
None
Student Orientation Staff, PEACC, raiseRED
I plan on focusing on increasing connectivity within the College of Arts and Sciences through increased outreach.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES SENATOR (Nine are elected.)
Dylan Arnold
Junior
Political science
None
None
If elected, I plan to ensure students in the College of Arts and Sciences have all the resources they need to be successful and have every opportunity to succeed academically and professionally after their graduation.
Taylor Schafer
Junior
Communication and political science
I don’t have any but I would love the opportunity to work with SGA!
I’m in the sorority Pi Beta Phi, I was a Gamma Chi last year and am currently Head Gamma Chi, I am on the Fryberger Board where I am the MC/Trophies and Awards Coordinator and I am on the Greek Week Board.
I would really like to work more with Athletics on fixing our current ticket policy. I know a lot of students don’t like the claim policy.
Georgiana Sook
Freshman
Undecided
Task Force Freshmen
RSA, Task Force Freshmen, The White Squirrel, Kappa Delta
I want to advocate for better lab equipment for students in the hard sciences. As a former pre-med, I know it’s a problem.
Kasey Golding
Sophomore
Political science
None
RaiseRED Dance Marathon, Honors Student Council, Alpha Omicron Pi
If I were to be elected I would push for funding for school wide extracurricular activities (i.e. guest speakers, conferences, etc.) and I would advocate for healthier food options on campus.
Joseph Thompson
Freshman
Biology
Task Force Freshmen
Indian Student Association, Pre-Dental Society, Alternative Service Break
I plan to push forward tabled ideas that will benefit the experiences of my fellow students here at U of L.
Michael Knopf
Second semester sophomore
I am majoring in political science.
This is my first Student Government campaign running for Arts and Science Senator.
I am a Harlan Scholar with the U of L Harlan Scholars Program with the Brandies School of Law. This is my second year involved with the Frankfort Legislature Internship Program. I am currently the student coordinator for the Internship Program with the Kentucky General Assembly. I am a brother in the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
If elected I will focus on student rights along with their ability to obtain a quality education for a fair price in a safe environment.
Landon Lauder
Junior
Political science, psychology; minor: social change; certificate: peace, justice and conflict transformation
Most recently, I was an Arts and Sciences Senator for the 2014-2015 academic year, where I served as Historian and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where I co-authored legislation that devoted excess funds towards RSO improvements and equipment. I was also a member of Task Force Freshman in the 2013-2014 academic year, serving under the Academic Vice President.
Collegiate Youth Rights Conference, Model United Nations, McConnell Scholars Program
With the numerous controversies facing U of L, I plan to bring a unified voice on behalf of the students in order to address issues such as tuition, safety and student activism. Additionally, I will stand up to any instance of a small social group wanting to dominate conversations that affect the entire student body. When elected, I will bring difficult issues to the forefront because student government must do more to represent and advocate for the average student.
Easton Depp
Freshman
Political science, economics
None
McConnell Scholars Program, SAB Campus Life Committee, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Cards in Action
Integrating SGA into campus life
Kyle Bilyeu
Freshman
Bachelor of Science – Biochemistry
Member of Task Force Freshmen and ELSB
I am a member of Task Force Freshmen, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and ELSB
One aspect I hope to improve for our campus is campus safety. With recent events in the news of crime in the areas surrounding U of L, I think it is important to make sure that all students feel safe when they are on campus despite what time of day it happens to be. To better this, I hope to further the “L-Trail” initiative which was established by the SGA and also increase the amount of lighting on campus during the night hours.
Nicholas Yates
Freshman
Chemistry
I served as Vice President on the Freshmen A&S Council
Freshman LEAD, Freshmen A&S Council, ELSB, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Habitat for Humanity, Giving Tree, Cardinal Shadow Host
I plan on making the senate more transparent for all students by creating a monthly update on senate and council meetings.
Brittany Chouhan
Junior
Political science
At the college level, I have never held a position but I am aware of what is going on with SGA through livestream. Livestream is usually where I watch the senate meetings. As for when I was in high school, I was in SGA from my sophomore year to my senior year serving different roles such as class secretary my junior year.
One thing I plan on doing if elected is more student input. I think that before I can say what I want to say, I need to think of these three questions- 1. What would the students I represent want; 2. Does the proposed item go against any policies set by SGA or U of L; 3. How do I feel personally on it? The only way, we as a university move forward is when we work together and have input from the student body to exchange what we as learners hope for.
Devin Brown
Sophomore
Philosophy and political science
None
Cycling coalition
Promoting funding for non-exclusive academic extracurricular activities, such as conferences, guest speakers of interest to the general student body and public academic teams such as moot court and mock trial.
Editor’s note: College of Arts and Sciences Presidential candidate Jessica Morgan’s responses were not printed because they were received after the issue went to print. College of Arts and Sciences senator candidate Nic Ferrera did not respond. There is not currently a candidate for the College of Arts and Sciences Vice President.