Candidates for Student-Elected Trustee Discuss Policy Plans on Gynecologists, Basics Needs and Mental Health in Pre-Election Forum

5 bachelor’s degree student candidates Board of Trustees Discussed platform and eligibility on Wednesday April 26th forum The Sun’s Managing Editor Angela Bunay ’24 will moderate.

every year, Congress Secretariat Elections for student seats on the Board of Trustees, Cornell University’s highest governing board. Undergraduate and graduate students are each represented by one seat in her, one student holds her two years and is elected every other year.This year, undergraduate positions are Openwhich means that both candidates and voters are composed entirely of undergraduates.

The elected student will serve a two-year term from July 1st of this year to July 30th, 2025, where he will serve on committees and retain full voting rights along with the other Trustees. According to the 2023 Student Council Election websiteCornell is one of the few institutions in the United States that allows its students to hold such powerful positions.

According to Cornell University, the Board of Trustees, led by President Martha Pollack, serves as Cornell University’s most influential governing body and serves as the executive decision maker for all aspects of the university’s functioning. BylawsThe Board of Trustees consists of 64 members member They include alumni, students, faculty, Cornell University workers, businessmen, farmers, and the oldest descendants of Ezra Cornell.and Clause The Board of Trustees approves the annual budget and financial plans for terms ranging from two years to a lifetime term and makes the final decisions on all major university decisions.

Target year candidate Andrew Juan ’25, Bahram Mehretu ’26, Audrey Pinard ’25, Veronica Lewis ’25, JP Swenson ’25. The sixth contender, Heily Gonzalez ’26, was dropped from the race this week.

According to the 2023 election website, candidates must be full-time undergraduates enrolled through a two-year term.

Among other requirements, candidates must petition for at least 150 undergraduate signatures and attend a candidate forum. At the forum, the candidate was asked seven questions about his experience, his relationships with other Trustees and the university, the needs of his constituents, and his priorities during his tenure.

Andrew Huang

Juan is a sophomore at the College of Human Ecology working to improve health, access and minds. He described Cornell’s vision for how his community could improve access to healthcare.

“Since the pandemic, our generation as a whole has lost a sense of belonging because they have been apart for so long,” Huang said. “We’re all back together, so we have to work on the next thing. [foster] social connection. We need to regain that sense of belonging. All Cornell students should feel welcome and belong at Cornell. ”

Juan specifically stated that negative perceptions of Cornell Health discourage students from seeking help. He believes community involvement is the way to go.

“The board should ensure that more funding is available for building social community at Cornell through clubs and activities. [and] Athletics,” Juan said.

To do this, Huang said he draws on his previous experience in public administration. Juan is currently a Faculty Representative on the University Council and Chair of UA. Campus Welfare Committee.

“I have no intention of doing anything more than continuing with the Board of Trustees on a larger scale the work I am already doing,” Huang said. population. “

Bahram Meletu

Mehretu is a freshman in the Department of Industrial Labor Relations and wants to deal with housing, food, and financial concerns at Cornell University. He emphasized that ensuring basic needs is his number one priority and that he is persistent in requesting them.

“One of the biggest issues we face on campus is basic needs and anxiety,” says Mehretu. “Though these basic needs are somewhat hidden from the larger Cornell population, these are the anxieties we see on a daily basis. We know that third and fourth year students are having trouble finding housing. [and] We know students are struggling financially. This is due to lack of centralization of resources and scarcity of resources. ”

Mehretu said he believes the board should advocate for a central basic needs center to facilitate access.

“Set up a financial assistance window that can provide options other than high-interest loans. Provide a housing office that can provide assistance in finding properties that are not predatory,” Mehretu said. “Let’s focus on creating a food depot where students can come and pick up food in person without being shy.”

Mehretru also emphasized advocating for students’ needs on other important issues such as Title IX reform and mental health.

“I would like to keep [relations with the Administration] Please be cordial and respectful while being firm on very important issues,” said Mehretu. “When [mental health, basic needs and Title IX reform], friendship is not my first intention.I go there with respect and good faith, but I’m not going to give [the] In some of these situations, give management leeway or give the administrator grace. Because these situations are too important. ”

Mehretu also emphasized a desire to strengthen mental health services. To achieve his goals, Mehretu said he would draw on his previous leadership and advocacy positions in social justice organizations. He said these positions taught him to speak up and compromise.

“Before coming to Cornell, I was the executive director of a social justice organization. I was meeting with senators and state representatives,” Mehretu said. “During these interactions, I learned the skill of recognizing when to compromise and how much to compromise.”

Audrey Pinard

Pinard, a sophomore engineering student, wants to ensure that students’ voices are heard in the decision-making process, leading to improved sustainability efforts, equal opportunities, and simplified misconduct reporting services. is advocating. Pinard explained how she believes Cornell’s mental health system is the biggest challenge facing the university.

“I am convinced that the mental health crisis on campus needs to be addressed,” Pinard said. I’m experiencing more problems with

mental health report A study found that 42% of Cornell students in 2019-2020 were unable to concentrate on school work for at least one week due to anxiety, depression or stress. This number is up from 33% in 2015.

Pinard called on the board to invest in more mental health resources, including hiring more professionals, expanding service availability and promoting a mental health-focused campus culture. .

“I work to bridge the gap between government and student bodies by hosting meetings and creating opportunities for students to share their experiences and offer suggestions for improvement,” said Pinard. “In addition, we will advance the implementation of mental health programs and initiatives that prioritize the needs of marginalized and underserved student communities, including LGBTQ+ students and students of color.”

Pinard also noted her desire to see more sustainable initiatives in the classroom, and added support for existing initiatives, such as a laboratory pipette recycling program and the reuse of surplus materials for dyes and makeup. emphasized her efforts. Pinard also wants to run a commission for murals and gardens, she hopes.

To achieve these goals, Pinnard said she will use her experience coordinating and addressing student issues as Principal of Toni Morrison Hall last year to focus on open and honest communication.

“We plan to establish open communication channels with relevant administrators so that student voices are heard and considered in key decision-making processes,” says Pinard. “I believe in finding common ground and working together towards mutual solutions that benefit the entire Cornell community. will be updated to.”

Veronica Lewis

Luis, a sophomore in Hotel Management, wants to increase accessible transportation and promote equity among students. Lewis explained that he believes access to health care, especially gynecology, is the most important issue the administration needs to address.

“Cornell’s biggest problem is access to health care, and that includes access to mental and physical health care,” said Lewis. “There are female students going to Rochester who are receiving obstetrics and gynecology care because they can’t get it on campus. It costs.”

Lewis explained that in order to achieve this reform, she would maintain a firm but non-aggressive attitude, and as a hotel management student and the daughter of a faculty member, she learned how to communicate with the administration in a respectful way. I specifically said that I understand. She currently serves as Vice President of External Affairs and Hotel Management Department Representative for the Student Council.

“I have seen how faculty and students interact. [the] “Administrators have seen what works best and communicates the needs of the students to them,” Lewis said. I’m rock solid of course, but I don’t explode by nature, and I try to defend the needs of my students while advocating for them on both sides.”

Lewis also emphasized her desire to implement a bike share program as a means of providing equitable transportation for all members of the campus community.

JP Swenson

Swenson is a sophomore at ILR and hopes to work on access to healthcare, communication between students and administrators, and inclusion of marginalized groups. Swenson explained that mental health is focused on improving these services for students because of her experience with them.

“I think the biggest problem that plagues most of Cornell’s undergraduates is getting access to mental and physical health services through Cornell Health,” Swenson said. “As someone who has been served by Cornell Health, I am especially grateful for [Counseling & Psychological Services] Program — It is a long and persistent process that takes time and requires a lot of ambition. And if someone is down, it can be difficult to go all out to receive those resources. ”

Swenson said that if he were given a position on the board, he would be an advocate for students struggling with mental and physical health issues.

“Many freshmen have just been dumped at Cornell, so we want to do more freshman education,” says Swenson. “You cannot be a successful student if your mental and physical health are not up to par.”

Swenson also noted a desire to implement a bike-sharing program on campus, increase funding for club sports and professional clubs, subsidize lunch costs, and strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion programs. To do so, Swenson says he allows students to access themselves in an open Zoom call and uses his experience as an SA undesignated general representative to find common ground with other trustees. said.

“I will continue to be sincere and respectful.[ful], but we need to emphasize the students’ need to make a difference. In doing so, we want to work with them to find benefits for both parties,” Swenson said. “I believe that is the most effective way to achieve change. …if the administration thinks a resolution or change or proposal will benefit them, they will put more effort into passing this resolution and enacting changes that will ultimately benefit the students. will bring.”

Elections will begin at 10:00 am on May 1st and will run until noon on May 4th.

Allyson Katz ’26 is a Sun contributor and can be reached at: ak2264@cornell.edu.

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