With three student body presidential tickets to choose from, Saint Mary's students have been bombarded by enough promises, goals and initiatives to make their heads spin. A vote for juniors Annie Davis and Courtney Kennedy, however, is a smart one. The realistic duo plan to embrace and enhance College tradition through increased campus communication - a task that promises everything from renewed respect for the Sisters of the Holy Cross to improved residence hall facilities.
Similar promises were made by the Colleen Ferreira-Jenny Antonelli ticket, but in an almost overly ambitious way. The impressive dream of campus-wide wireless Internet access and microwaves in dorm hallways overstep the financial considerations of Saint Mary's. Kimberly Hodges and Kelly Payne make a strong commitment to campus diversity and service learning opportunities for students. Their platform, however, tends to focus too heavily upon these issues, which might overlook other needs of the College community.
While the other tickets' goals are both ambitious and notable, Davis and Kennedy's platform manages to merge the issues into a reasonable plan that will maintain and reform student government. Davis' outspoken urge to revamp weekly Board of Governance meetings to incorporate increased discussion and student activism has the potential to eliminate elements of campus-wide apathy toward student government. The most notable contribution Davis would make to the position is her connection to college administration through her work as admissions commissioner. This position has allowed her to recognize the realities of budgeting and, most importantly, has familiarized her with administrative policy.
While many students would love to see vast and immediate changes such as new laundry facilities and meal plan options, Davis and Kennedy seem open to considering all student needs in a reasonable manner. Their campaign incorporates the development of Saint Mary's future - primarily the complex issue of the ongoing identity initiative, which Davis said she believes needs to receive more attention from the College community.
The duo also recognizes the need to maintain the College's deeply rooted tradition in the sometimes-uncertain future of Saint Mary's identity. Kennedy plans to more closely link the Sisters of the Holy Cross and the student body, a passion she developed during a fall break pilgrimage to a Holy Cross community in Mexico.
As Saint Mary's grows, it demands leaders who seek change and dedication to the mission - two attributes Davis and Kennedy bring to the campaign.
While they mean business when it comes to increased communication and revamping BOG, the pair has not overlooked the lighthearted aspects of the College, such as continuing and improving campus events to attract a higher student turnout.
The Observer believes Davis and Kennedy have a realistic attitude paired with a variety of student government experiences that will allow them to foster change and meet the growing needs of Saint Mary's.
