Elections have begun and polls are open from now until Thursday at 5. You can vote by going to sg.uchicago.edu and clicking on the "vote here" link on the right hand side!
Be sure to go online and show your support!
VOTE
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Campus Lighting
One concern that has come to my attention this year as VP Student Affairs is the issue of lighting on the quads. In the last few years there has been a push to put floodlights on the main quad buildings to "light up campus". This has been said to be a good solution to campus lighting issues as both a safety and an aesthetic measure.
However, the implementation of this lighting project has not accomplished either objective and is instead destructive to overall light pollution, a waste of energy, and a safety liability. The Ryerson Astronomical Society has started a petition to urge the University to use shields on these lights so that such excessive amounts of light to not simply go into the sky where no one benefits from it.
Moreover, the high amount of lighting they throw on buildings at sometimes sporadic intervals actually increases the contrast level that your eye must adjust to and makes it more difficult to view details--not something you want to have to worry about on the main quadrangles.
If elected, I will start a conversation with the Administration about installing shields for these lights, and converting to better standards of down-lighting that are better for the environment, and for safety.
However, the implementation of this lighting project has not accomplished either objective and is instead destructive to overall light pollution, a waste of energy, and a safety liability. The Ryerson Astronomical Society has started a petition to urge the University to use shields on these lights so that such excessive amounts of light to not simply go into the sky where no one benefits from it.
Moreover, the high amount of lighting they throw on buildings at sometimes sporadic intervals actually increases the contrast level that your eye must adjust to and makes it more difficult to view details--not something you want to have to worry about on the main quadrangles.
If elected, I will start a conversation with the Administration about installing shields for these lights, and converting to better standards of down-lighting that are better for the environment, and for safety.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
What SG Can Do For You
Over the course of the campaign, I've often been asked the typical question "So, why should I vote for you? What will you do?" At first I answered by briefly outlining our platform and talking briefly about each of our points.
But as the campaign progressed, I came to realize that we're not really running so we can pursue the projects we described in our platform. We're running to represent you, the students, and your voice. So what will we do? Well, tell us what you want us to do!
This is the most important distinction between what SG will be next year and what SG, and governments in the US, have been: full of elected officials who, once elected, are content to sit in their offices and only come out to campaign for reelection.
The current Slate has done an amazing job starting us out along the path to a louder student voice and greater student involvement not only SG affairs, but in University affairs in general. We want to continue and expand their tremendous work, not only by continuing posting minutes, updating the SG blog, sending out surveys, and e-mailing students, but by taking it to the next level. We'll be around the dining areas consistently, introducing ourselves and asking you all what you would like to see changed on campus. After all, a SG is of the students, by the students, and most importantly, FOR the students.
But as the campaign progressed, I came to realize that we're not really running so we can pursue the projects we described in our platform. We're running to represent you, the students, and your voice. So what will we do? Well, tell us what you want us to do!
This is the most important distinction between what SG will be next year and what SG, and governments in the US, have been: full of elected officials who, once elected, are content to sit in their offices and only come out to campaign for reelection.
The current Slate has done an amazing job starting us out along the path to a louder student voice and greater student involvement not only SG affairs, but in University affairs in general. We want to continue and expand their tremendous work, not only by continuing posting minutes, updating the SG blog, sending out surveys, and e-mailing students, but by taking it to the next level. We'll be around the dining areas consistently, introducing ourselves and asking you all what you would like to see changed on campus. After all, a SG is of the students, by the students, and most importantly, FOR the students.
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