Correction: This blog post incorrectly referred to Matt Kramer previously, instead of Eli Berns-Zieve.
9:03 | The debate is about to begin. The candidates for Freshmen Class President are Bob Lutz, Clayton Masterman, Joshua Rosen, Matt Kramer, Daniel Lempert, Sharon Onga, Patty Walton, Eli Berns-Zieve and Ocasio Wilson.
Editor in Chief of The Miscellany News Ruby Cramer is moderating the event.
9:08 | The candidates are introducing themselves.
Questions will be posed to the whole group.
9:14 | The first question asks the candidates to consider how they will balance representing the opinions of their consituents and their ow judgments.
According to Onga, “It’s about listening to the voices.”
Lutz draws on his background at a Quaker high school. He discusses the importance of making people with opinions feel comfortable sharing those opinions.
Walton discusses the importance of hearing her consituents.
Rosen: “It’s important to solicit the opinions of those who do not have strong opinions.” He hopes to reach out to many consituents.
Masterman says that it is not the job of the president to make decisions him or herself.
According toWilson, he was surprised by the talents of his class. “It is my job to define broadly, and then come to you and say, ‘fill in the blanks.’”
9:23 | The next question is: How will you familiarize yourself with the College and feel comfortable enough tot share your opinions with the Council?
Wilson addresses the social dynamic of the class. “It’s not a solid, cohesive class yet,” he says. He suggests doing a freshman activity or project to bring the class together.
Masterman says, “I woudl be willing to work it all out.” He says that he is willing to prepare himself by reading the VSA constitution and ask questions.
According to Rosen, “I will be as vocal as I can be in VSA Council.” He promises to follow up “on any information given to me.”
Berns-Zieve suggests that freshmen should get to know older students in their houses to learn about the College.
Walton says, “The president would speak up and be vocal because they are there to represent the class.”
According to Lempert, “There is a definite learning curve to joining a new group…I’m not really afraid to talk to people, address people.”
According to Lutz, reading the VSA Consitution is not necessarily the best introduction to how the school works practically, but upperclassmen are a great resource.
Onga says that talking to upperclassmen, reading the paper, reading the VSA Constitution and asking members of the greater community are the best ways to stay informed.
9:32 | The next question asks: What would you advocate and fight for as a top priority in the College given the economic climate.
Onga says that she woudl fight to make sure that student voices were always heard.
Lutz says, “Fundraisers are an absolute must.” He suggests that the class needs to take initiative to put on events.
According to Lempert, the eclectic mix of students is the most valuable thing about Vassar. He says he woudl fight for the existence of eclectic groups.
Walton agrees that the students make Vassar unique. She adds that she would fight for financial aid, which, she says, helps to make the student body as unique as it is. She suggests fundraising.
Berns-Lieve recognizes that Vassar is affected by exterior forces and that students need to be flexible. He supports need-blind admission and hopes that it may be applied to waitlisted students.
According to Rosen, “Academics are something that we have to maintain to the highest level.” He also emphasizes social justice through financial aid and reaching out to the local community.
Masterman says he will work to bring back library hours and support transportation for students. He also wants the VSA to take a role in keeping prices low on campus.
Wilson says that he doesn’t know the issues, but he wants the class to tell him what to fight for.
9:41 | Next question: What would you do to establish the presence of the Class of 2013 on campus?
Wilson plans to use the talents of his classmates. “We can only try to understand our greater Poughkeepsie area…There are a lot of things that we are ignorant to because we are not face to face with them.”
Masterman discusses class unity through projects, class picnics and other activities, such as extending VCash acceptance to more local businesses.
Rosen emphasizes community service and social justice.
Berns-Zieve also discusses class unity. He hopes to host activities between dorms. He says that once the class builds unity, they will naturally leave their mark on the College.
Walton recognizes that bringing the whole class together will be difficulty. She hopes to rally the class behind one issue to find a common ground.
Lempert says that his first goal would be a party, and then a “Freshmen Pride Day.”
According to Lutz, bonding activities are a “dime a dozen” in houses and that this is a good thing.
Onga says that the class should stay informed about available opportunities. She also hopes that the class can find creative ways to fund activities and organizations.
9:51 | An audience member asks a question about the point proposal for disciplinary actions that Council is working on.
Rosen takes a firm stance against the disciplinary point system. He says that it “takes away from the case-by-case review” of each situation.
Berns-Zieve suggests that it has potential, but that it needs to be developed and that it tries to do too much. “I think there’s a lot that could be done with it.”
9:53 | VP for Operations Brian Farkas asks what one thing the candidates would change about the College.
Lutz says that he would hope that the class will project itself well to deter stereotypes about the College that affect prospective students.
Wilson says that he would change the shuttle. “I think it should be more accessible. It should run more often.” He also says it should have more stops.
Berns-Zieve says he would revise the meal plan. “Everybody would get the same amount of points.”
9:56 | Audience member: What is the funniest thing that’s happened to you?
Walton recalls a humorous and embarassing tale of missing the trashcan.
Lempert says that he was terrified by his bunkbeds.
According to Lutz, as he was campaigning in ACDC and had an awkward encounter.
Wilson says that the thing that sticks out the most to him is that people were baffled that he irons his clothing.
In today’s issue of The Poughkeepsie Journal a Letter to the Editor from President of the College Catharine Bond Hill appeared in the pages of the paper’s Opinion section. In her Letter Hill addressed the Dutchess County Elections—held last Tuesday, Nov. 3—and suggested that in the future Vassar and elected officials “work together to resolve the obstacles for future elections that made it difficult for students to vote in the last election.”