Nathaniel Buechler for President

(Running with Byron Bell, candidate for Executive Vice President)

What experience and qualifications do you have?

CEO of the UMBC Entrepreneurial Society President of the UMBC Visual Arts Council of Majors Public Relations Chair of M.A.L.E.S. In addition to the leadership positions I hold at UMBC, I have co-founded the Alumni Association at Oakland Mills High School, and am in the start-up phase of my business: Simple Graphic Solutions, LLC. My background as a Graphic Design/Political Science Double Major allows me to maintain a cross-disciplinary mindset that accommodates all ideas.

What is your platform? What do you hope to accomplish if you win?

If I were to win this election, but the voter turn-out did not drastically increase, I will feel as if not all of my goals were accomplished. I want to increase the amount of 'effective voice' from the student population at UMBC. Effective voice is not only the expression of ideas from different homogeneous groups, but also the acting upon those ideas. Every organization on campus should be able to communicate clearly with SGA, for it is the mechanism that was created to enact positive change.

What I really want students to know about me is….

Because of my background, I can easily see the entire picture, and thus can apply it to the situation at hand. I understand that I may have disagreements with those who work with me. That being the case, disagreements are the source of growth. I am passionate about improving the environment that we interact in. UMBC is not just a place where we attend, but it is a community where we all can contribute.

Platform Summary:

• Create a more unified and community centered campus where everyone can be involved, and every voice is important.
• Encourage the involvement and growth of every organization on campus to improve and better the reputation of UMBC.
• Organize joint efforts between organizations to promote events of a high caliber and magnitude.

The following organizations and individuals have formally endorsed this candidate by filing statements with the Election Board:

Entrepreneurial Society 

German Club

Andy Gotsch (DJ Sparks)

Visual Arts Council of Majors 

M.A.L.E.S.

Catie Collins for President

(Running with Dylan Cook, candidate for Executive Vice President)

What experience and qualifications do you have?

In my three years at UMBC, I've gained valuable experience through my variety of roles on campus. I've been a member of the SGA for two years, this past year leading the Supreme Court in my role as Chief Judge Advocate. Working as Chief has put me in a unique position, the activities of which are built on understanding how the SGA functions and how it might be improved. This has given me an intimate understanding of the SGA's strengths, weakness, and opportunities for growth. Outside of SGA, I’ve learned an incredible amount about leadership through my position as Vice President of the UMBC Stilettos. I’ve also worked on-campus in the Office of Institutional Advancement, a position that gives me remarkable insight into the administrative functions of campus. I’m confident that this varied experience will enable me to set priorities and create initiatives that best suit UMBC’s needs.

What is your platform? What do you hope to accomplish if you win?

We seek to both enable new opportunities for student voices to be heard and expand upon those that already exist. We believe that by engaging students through these opportunities, our SGA and UMBC as a whole will better reflect their opinions and values. We also aim to increase collaborations between different sectors of campus in order to create an environment geared towards the betterment of members of its community.

What I really want students to know about me is….

I am dedicated and hard-working, especially when it comes to student advocacy. That is what brought me to join SGA two years ago, and it’s what pushes me to run for SGA President today. Students can bring about incredible change, both on and off-campus, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to foster and support student involvement. I’m a strong believer in UMBC continuing to shift its identity to that of a true community – one that adopts best business practices, but encourages the positive development of its members first.

Platform Summary:

• Establishing quality assurance and accountability programs that ensure students are getting the most out of their campus relationships.
• Creating a campus culture that promotes a full spectrum of health and wellness by developing new programs and initiatives
• Continuing to develop SGA as a representative body that is both transparent and effective; one that truly encourages student advocacy

The following organizations and individuals have formally endorsed this candidate by filing statements with the Election Board:

Stilettos

Mama's Boys
Charles Kuo (Mama's Boys President)
Susan Wilmes (Musical Theatre Club Secretary; Cleftomaniacs Secretary)
The Cleftomaniacs
FASA
Heather Kopf (PHA Vice President of Recruitment)

Suzanne Hollis for President

(Running with Valerie LeMire, candidate for Executive Vice President)

What experience and qualifications do you have?

I was the captain of teams for the Polar Bear Plunge and Race for the Cure. I also organized an amazing team of actors for the 48 hour Film Festival within hours. I am a primary caregiver to a small group of children and have taught them many things, including overcoming a speech disorder and potty training. I volunteer with local seniors in my area by taking them on day trips to the library or grocery store. I also organize social events for them, such as weekly cards night or adopted grandparents dates with the children I work with.

What is your platform? What do you hope to accomplish if you win?

Encourage the student body to be more involved in the UMBC community by gathering student feedback on what they think will improve the campus and academic life. Make proposals available for student vote prior to putting them into action.

What I really want students to know about me is….

I am really fun and outgoing! I like volunteering and donating whatever I can for a good cause. I cut my hair and donate it to Locks for Love every three years as well as give blood every chance I get. I like writing and sending my work out in the hopes of getting it published. I will be appearing in this year's issue of Bartleby! I like being outside and staying active. My favorite activities are those when I'm surrounded by my best friends. My running mate is a close friend of mine and together we are committed to improving the campus and academics of UMBC.

Platform Summary:

• Create a textbook sharing program, allowing students to swap used textbooks of comparable value with each other.
• Offer an English Master's Program.
• Increase options for printing on campus that are comparable to a professional print center, but still offer student pricing.

Matthew McNey for President

(Running with Charles Mason III, candidate for Executive Vice President)

What experience and qualifications do you have?

I entered SGA as a First-Year Ambassador. In that same year, I became an SGA Senator serving on the extended library hours committee, eventually succeeding in persuading the presidential council to fund a pilot program during exam week. In my second year as Senator, I served on the Governmental Affairs Committee and helped steer SGA to create our first Legislative Agenda. In my third year returning as a Senator, I have served on the Dining Services Committee and pushed for extended hours on the weekend for all Dining Services. I have been in Greek Life as a member of Pi Kappa Phi since my second semester freshman year. I'm also the President of College Democrats, one of the few active political groups on campus. I hope my fourth year in SGA will be filled with challenges and I can continue to bring my unique enthusiasm, hope and experience once again to represent students.

What is your platform? What do you hope to accomplish if you win?

Communication, I think SGA has expanded ballooning with members. This has meant that internal communication among branches has faltered because the volume of initiatives is so vast they can not be effectively tracked. Change, our decisions should be made with all of us striving to in-cooperate all undergraduate students who are also considered members of the SGA. Openness, there has to be a dialogue between the student leaders and students that is always ongoing, not just when we need their opinion, we need to constantly focus on reaching out to the undergraduate community.

What I really want students to know about me is….

I'm a self-reliant hard worker, I'm straightforward and honest. I've made sure to never forget where I came from. With each new challenge I've had my successes, I've had my fair share of mistakes too, I've learned from them and will continue to improve myself to represent students.

Platform Summary:

• Communication, SGA has expanded ballooning with members and internal communication has become paramount.
• Change, our decisions should be made with all of us striving to in-cooperate all undergraduate students.
• Openness, there has to be a dialogue between the student leaders and students that is always ongoing.