Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Student Government elections were postponed and recently rescheduled Sept. 30 at 8:00 a.m. until Oct. 1 at 8:00 p.m.. There are currently 2 candidates for Student Body President and for Vice President.
Luis Romero and Colton Ray
Cover image for the Romero-Ray campaign for Student Body President/Vice President. Courtesy of their Facebook page.
Luis Romero is a sophomore student of political science and economics. Luis serves on the executive board of three organizations: Unmasked EMU (a human trafficking based organization designed to bring awareness), Rotaract (a volunteer based organization), and Phi Sigma Phi. He is also in Mock Trial and on the President’s Commission on Sustainability.
Colton Ray is a sophomore student intending to pursue an M.A in Schools, Society, and Violence, an interdisciplinary degree. Colton has served as an interim chair on the Political Action committee and the chair of the ad hoc Housing and Food Insecurity Committee. Colton also played a part in the reconstruction of Young Democratic Socialists of America while also working for RISE Michigan (a campaign to help get more young people to vote), the Residence Housing Association, and Student Government.
If elected as President and Vice President, Romero and Ray plan to bring about a plan also known as “A Fight for a Future”. This plan includes:
- A five step plan that focuses on housing insecurity, food insecurity, mental health, affordable transportation, and administrative transparency.
- Romero and Ray believe a housing scholarship is needed to offset the cost burden of students due to increasing costs of housing on and off campus.
- Due to the rising prices of dining on campus, Romero and Ray want to allow students to donate any leftover meal swipes to students who may be experiencing food insecurity. They are also working towards a low-income meal plan.
- Romero and Ray hope to increase the Counseling and Psychological Services department funding, counselor to student ratio (in order to decrease wait times), and diversify counselors employed in the department.
- Free parking for shoppers at Swoops Food Pantry as well as free University busing to local grocery stores, Depot Town, and Ozone House are among other changes Romero and Ray plan to make a priority.
- In order to increase student attendance at Student Senate, Faculty Senate, and Board of Regents meetings, Romero and Ray plan to hold bi weekly Student Government lobby tables.
They also intend to Student Government visibility to students and the greater Ypsilanti community.
“I think the biggest thing (Student Senators) need to do is have conversations with students, hear their concerns, and try to make legislation appropriate to those issues,” Romero said in an interview earlier this year.
The second candidates running for Student Body President and Vice President are Jack Swartzinski and Allanah Morales, respectively.
Jack Swartzinski and Allanah Morales
Retrieved from their Facebook page.
Jack Swartzinki is a junior of political science and public administration. He is on Mock Trial and Moot Court in addition to his role in Student Government as Parliamentarian. He is also a part of Catholics on Campus and Campus Life.
Allanah Morales is President of the Latinx Student Association, Parliamentarian of Sigma Gamma Rho, and Director of Student Services in Student Government. She has served on panels for leadership and diversity, participates in mentorship programs (such as the VISION volunteer centers pen pal program), and is a part of the community leaders program for Google.
Swartzinski and Morales believe much of EMU’s problem as issues surrounding accountability, transparency, and awareness.
“It is contradictory to run an entire campus platform based on the concept of ‘you’re welcome here’ but not having the proper resources and support to make students truly feel welcome,” said Morales in an interview with the Echo earlier this year.
If elected as President and Vice President Swartzinski and Morales plan to install a plan known as “Platform for Change”. This plan includes:
- A three step platform that addresses housing, expanding student services, and accountability.
- Swartzinski and Morales believe housing is a human right, therefore they will work to ensure all students have livable conditions
- Expanding student government resources while building upon and informing students on existing resources through partnerships within the community.
- Swartzinski and Morales will fight to insure accountability by holding staff, faculty, and students accountable for their actions and take a stand against all acts of discrimination, hate, and injustice.
