Candidates for SA ESIA Undergraduate Senator (3 positions)
Kirby Dzurny
Background:
My name is Kirby Dzurny and I am from St. Louis, Missouri. I am currently a senator in the SA, endorsed by The GW Strategic Crisis Simulations, and am looking to be elected for one of the ESIA Senator spots next year. If elected, I will work to revamp GWork so that it is more useful, create a more unified ESIA by giving open meetings directed by ESIA senators, and create a more transparent SA that is reliable and progressive.
Do you think the university should be more transparent in its budget, operations, and strategic planning processes?
I absolutely think GW University should be more transparent in its budget, operations, and strategic planning processes. It is crucial we understand what is going on in our community in order to continue to make GW a place that fulfills our wants and needs as future leaders in the world. By continuously addressing the lack of transparency we will begin the process of creating a more open University.
Similarly, what can be done to ensure more transparency within the Student Association?
I support the posting of Senate meeting agendas, organization funding allocations, and special working group committee reports online on the SA website. Furthermore, I believe senators should be held accountable for their productivity. The job isn't over after the campaign season, the job has only just begun. Every elected official has a responsibility to create ideas, forge action plans, and follow though on initiatives that make our school a better place.
How would you work to increase student awareness of existing university services that many are often not aware of?
I believe the link to the student body is student organizations. I want to create a program that allows for every student organization to be in contact, face to face, with a senator in the SA. I believe for the SA to fulfill its duty as an organization built to increase awareness, we must have direct communication often with the students at GW. Meeting, at least once a month, with student groups would greatly increase student awareness of GW services.
Is the affordability of a GW education an important issue to you? Why?
Affordability is an extremely important issue for me. It is not uncommon to hear students accepted but unable to attend this university because of the price. Many students who do come here are able to do so only because of scholarships. Still others, with no financial help, stress about what will happen once they graduate with significant debt. I am passionate about this subject, and will face it head on if given the opportunity as a ESIA senator.
How will you advocate for increased university attention to student needs (whether related to academics, housing, health, student organizations, campus life, etc) while keeping in mind that increased spending on such initiatives could lead to higher costs of attendance for future students?
I feel GW is able to increase their attention to student needs without necessarily increasing the cost of attendance. Every situation is different, however, and would need to be addressed as such. Most issues would not have a great effect on the cost of a student attending GW.
What are ways you would advocate for lower costs of attendance at GW (such as tuition and fees, housing, dining, charges for services, printing, SA fees, etc)?
I would focus first on housing. It is obvious housing prices at GW are much higher than they should be. With enough research and dedication, we would be able to get the University's attention and create some much needed change in the cost of living on campus.
What are your thoughts on the new requirement that Juniors in the Class of 2018 and onward live on campus? How will you advocate for inexpensive housing alternatives to defray the impact of this policy?
My first reaction to this new policy was wondering why GW would force students to live on campus, where they would have to pay more for living, and thus increase the amount of debt its student body will have once they graduate. However, the SA has been able to work with the administration on this issue. Living on campus is now cheaper for Juniors then it has been in the past. I feel this is proof that, though it will change the experience Juniors receive, GW is taking into account the problems this new requirement causes for its students and working to make this a smooth transition.
How will you advocate for increased university engagement with students related to budgets and strategic planning?
I hope to increase the amount of transparency within the administration on these topics and then sharing these facts with the student body.
Do you support GW Not For Profit’s proposal for non-voting student representatives on the financial committees of the Board of Trustees?
I feel this would be an efficient way to increase communication with the students and Board of Trustees. I do support GW Not For Profit's proposal!
How will you, in the position you are seeking on the SA, personally listen to the needs of students and their organizations?
I plan on listening to the needs of the student body in multiple ways. To begin, I want to create a program with the ESIA school that would allow ESIA senators to hold a monthly open meeting for any ESIA students. This meeting would be a direct and effective way to update the students on what is happening in the SA and their school as well, as act as a way to hear the students most important needs and wants. Secondly, I hope to begin creating an initiative that would allow for each SA senator to be in direct contact with at least a few groups on campus a month.
My name is Kirby Dzurny and I am from St. Louis, Missouri. I am currently a senator in the SA, endorsed by The GW Strategic Crisis Simulations, and am looking to be elected for one of the ESIA Senator spots next year. If elected, I will work to revamp GWork so that it is more useful, create a more unified ESIA by giving open meetings directed by ESIA senators, and create a more transparent SA that is reliable and progressive.
Do you think the university should be more transparent in its budget, operations, and strategic planning processes?
I absolutely think GW University should be more transparent in its budget, operations, and strategic planning processes. It is crucial we understand what is going on in our community in order to continue to make GW a place that fulfills our wants and needs as future leaders in the world. By continuously addressing the lack of transparency we will begin the process of creating a more open University.
Similarly, what can be done to ensure more transparency within the Student Association?
I support the posting of Senate meeting agendas, organization funding allocations, and special working group committee reports online on the SA website. Furthermore, I believe senators should be held accountable for their productivity. The job isn't over after the campaign season, the job has only just begun. Every elected official has a responsibility to create ideas, forge action plans, and follow though on initiatives that make our school a better place.
How would you work to increase student awareness of existing university services that many are often not aware of?
I believe the link to the student body is student organizations. I want to create a program that allows for every student organization to be in contact, face to face, with a senator in the SA. I believe for the SA to fulfill its duty as an organization built to increase awareness, we must have direct communication often with the students at GW. Meeting, at least once a month, with student groups would greatly increase student awareness of GW services.
Is the affordability of a GW education an important issue to you? Why?
Affordability is an extremely important issue for me. It is not uncommon to hear students accepted but unable to attend this university because of the price. Many students who do come here are able to do so only because of scholarships. Still others, with no financial help, stress about what will happen once they graduate with significant debt. I am passionate about this subject, and will face it head on if given the opportunity as a ESIA senator.
How will you advocate for increased university attention to student needs (whether related to academics, housing, health, student organizations, campus life, etc) while keeping in mind that increased spending on such initiatives could lead to higher costs of attendance for future students?
I feel GW is able to increase their attention to student needs without necessarily increasing the cost of attendance. Every situation is different, however, and would need to be addressed as such. Most issues would not have a great effect on the cost of a student attending GW.
What are ways you would advocate for lower costs of attendance at GW (such as tuition and fees, housing, dining, charges for services, printing, SA fees, etc)?
I would focus first on housing. It is obvious housing prices at GW are much higher than they should be. With enough research and dedication, we would be able to get the University's attention and create some much needed change in the cost of living on campus.
What are your thoughts on the new requirement that Juniors in the Class of 2018 and onward live on campus? How will you advocate for inexpensive housing alternatives to defray the impact of this policy?
My first reaction to this new policy was wondering why GW would force students to live on campus, where they would have to pay more for living, and thus increase the amount of debt its student body will have once they graduate. However, the SA has been able to work with the administration on this issue. Living on campus is now cheaper for Juniors then it has been in the past. I feel this is proof that, though it will change the experience Juniors receive, GW is taking into account the problems this new requirement causes for its students and working to make this a smooth transition.
How will you advocate for increased university engagement with students related to budgets and strategic planning?
I hope to increase the amount of transparency within the administration on these topics and then sharing these facts with the student body.
Do you support GW Not For Profit’s proposal for non-voting student representatives on the financial committees of the Board of Trustees?
I feel this would be an efficient way to increase communication with the students and Board of Trustees. I do support GW Not For Profit's proposal!
How will you, in the position you are seeking on the SA, personally listen to the needs of students and their organizations?
I plan on listening to the needs of the student body in multiple ways. To begin, I want to create a program with the ESIA school that would allow ESIA senators to hold a monthly open meeting for any ESIA students. This meeting would be a direct and effective way to update the students on what is happening in the SA and their school as well, as act as a way to hear the students most important needs and wants. Secondly, I hope to begin creating an initiative that would allow for each SA senator to be in direct contact with at least a few groups on campus a month.
Pranav Nanda
Background:
Hello I am Pranav Nanda, a freshman in the Elliot School. When I came to GW I was overwhelmed by the amount of amazing opportunities they are at this school and I really wanted to experience them all. I was on the Freshman Advisory Council, the Mount Vernon programming council, Relay for Life Organizations, Serve Your City, and GW Raas for some of the first semester.
I am running for the SA not because I have political aspirations, but to be able to help every GW student find a place at GW, and be able to help them reach their goals for what they want to achieve as a student. I have a passion for helping others, and I want to help students take the full opportunity of all the resources at GW so that they can have the best experience they can have.
Do you think the university should be more transparent in its budget, operations, and strategic planning processes?
Yes I think transparency is very important and that the University should make alot of information public. Anything which relates directly to the students, and their experience at GW i think should be available for the students to know- whether it is a plan to increase housing cost, or a plan to change the vern express schedule. Everything which can affect a students day to day life at GW should be known upfront by the students.
Similarly, what can be done to ensure more transparency within the Student Association?
During this campaign period I have tried to go to different organizations to talk with them what I could do to help their experience at GW. One thing I learned is that many clubs are unaware they have a senator during the year, and they say the only time they hear from the SA is during election time. If I am elected my goal is to change that, and change the process senators are assigned organizations so there is more of a reason for student senators to have contact with the organizations they represent.
How would you work to increase student awareness of existing university services that many are often not aware of?
One large part of my platform is to make the Student Association more for the students. One thing I have seen is most of the website is bios of the different members involved and I think that is a misuse of the website. If i am elected to the SA I will do is create a campus calender on the website that different organizations can upload events so every student knows what is going on. Also I will add the contact information of all the resources available to students on the page so that it is all in one place that can be easily seen. This does not go for only GW events, but also events around the city which students may benefit from knowing.
Is the affordability of a GW education an important issue to you? Why?
Yes, the affordability of GW education is very important to me. Education has always been my passion, and it is my belief it is very important. If students are so worried about how they will pay for their education or if they will be able to stay at certain dorm it is hard for them to focus on the education. Or if students are made to get one, two jobs to be able to simply afford going here they will be unable to benefit fully from the many opportunities this university provides.
How will you advocate for increased university attention to student needs (whether related to academics, housing, health, student organizations, campus life, etc) while keeping in mind that increased spending on such initiatives could lead to higher costs of attendance for future students?
College is a service driven business, and if the service is not being provided their is a problem. Students are the most important aspect of an university and if their needs are not being met their is a problem. I don't think that by trying to fix problems that may exist will necessarily create higher costs for future students. I do not think that this university is operating as efficiently as possible, and by working more efficiently there will be more money available to create change. I think that the University can look at creative ways to create funds for certain programs. For example for funding for student organizations, there are many businesses around the DC area which have grant money they may give to student groups. For example there are many community service oriented grants which could be applied to, which will help student orgs which are community service oriented.
What are ways you would advocate for lower costs of attendance at GW (such as tuition and fees, housing, dining, charges for services, printing, SA fees, etc)?
Obviously the first step is having open discussion with campus administration to see what can be done, and what they are willing to be done. However if that does not work, I am prepared to take more drastic methods to advocate for lower costs.
What are your thoughts on the new requirement that Juniors in the Class of 2018 and onward live on campus? How will you advocate for inexpensive housing alternatives to defray the impact of this policy?
I think it is ridiculous juniors are made to live on campus when off campus housing may be more economically friendly. In everything else students are not forced to use the GW option if other options exist which are less expensive. For example students are able to buy books on amazon and are not forced to get them at the bookstore if the bookstore is more cost affordable. Housing in my opinion should be treated the same way.
How will you advocate for increased university engagement with students related to budgets and strategic planning?
I think that the university should have students serving on strategic planning and budget planning committees. I think when decisions are made, everyone who will be affected by the choice should have a say in the decision, and the students are effected the most. I think students have a unique perspective on what is working and not working at GW and their input is imperative for future planning.
Do you support GW Not For Profit’s proposal for non-voting student representatives on the financial committees of the Board of Trustees?
Yes, I completely agree with GW Not for Profit's proposal for a student to serve on the financial committees of the Board of Trustees. In the end the success of a campus and university should be in the success of their students, not by how much money a campus brings in. To be able to help ensure that, I think it is very important for a student to serve on the groups which decide how money will be spent to ensure the students are put first in decisions.
How will you, in the position you are seeking on the SA, personally listen to the needs of students and their organizations?
If I am elected to the SA I will be hosting meetings with all the organizations I represent, I will try to make it to their meetings so that we can have open communication about what I could do to help them have the best experience as a student org they can. In terms of general needs of the students, I am going to try to make senate meetings more open and friendly towards general students. I also hope to arrange meetings with different people affiliated with the university so that students are able to come ask questions and get answers about their questions and concerns.
Hello I am Pranav Nanda, a freshman in the Elliot School. When I came to GW I was overwhelmed by the amount of amazing opportunities they are at this school and I really wanted to experience them all. I was on the Freshman Advisory Council, the Mount Vernon programming council, Relay for Life Organizations, Serve Your City, and GW Raas for some of the first semester.
I am running for the SA not because I have political aspirations, but to be able to help every GW student find a place at GW, and be able to help them reach their goals for what they want to achieve as a student. I have a passion for helping others, and I want to help students take the full opportunity of all the resources at GW so that they can have the best experience they can have.
Do you think the university should be more transparent in its budget, operations, and strategic planning processes?
Yes I think transparency is very important and that the University should make alot of information public. Anything which relates directly to the students, and their experience at GW i think should be available for the students to know- whether it is a plan to increase housing cost, or a plan to change the vern express schedule. Everything which can affect a students day to day life at GW should be known upfront by the students.
Similarly, what can be done to ensure more transparency within the Student Association?
During this campaign period I have tried to go to different organizations to talk with them what I could do to help their experience at GW. One thing I learned is that many clubs are unaware they have a senator during the year, and they say the only time they hear from the SA is during election time. If I am elected my goal is to change that, and change the process senators are assigned organizations so there is more of a reason for student senators to have contact with the organizations they represent.
How would you work to increase student awareness of existing university services that many are often not aware of?
One large part of my platform is to make the Student Association more for the students. One thing I have seen is most of the website is bios of the different members involved and I think that is a misuse of the website. If i am elected to the SA I will do is create a campus calender on the website that different organizations can upload events so every student knows what is going on. Also I will add the contact information of all the resources available to students on the page so that it is all in one place that can be easily seen. This does not go for only GW events, but also events around the city which students may benefit from knowing.
Is the affordability of a GW education an important issue to you? Why?
Yes, the affordability of GW education is very important to me. Education has always been my passion, and it is my belief it is very important. If students are so worried about how they will pay for their education or if they will be able to stay at certain dorm it is hard for them to focus on the education. Or if students are made to get one, two jobs to be able to simply afford going here they will be unable to benefit fully from the many opportunities this university provides.
How will you advocate for increased university attention to student needs (whether related to academics, housing, health, student organizations, campus life, etc) while keeping in mind that increased spending on such initiatives could lead to higher costs of attendance for future students?
College is a service driven business, and if the service is not being provided their is a problem. Students are the most important aspect of an university and if their needs are not being met their is a problem. I don't think that by trying to fix problems that may exist will necessarily create higher costs for future students. I do not think that this university is operating as efficiently as possible, and by working more efficiently there will be more money available to create change. I think that the University can look at creative ways to create funds for certain programs. For example for funding for student organizations, there are many businesses around the DC area which have grant money they may give to student groups. For example there are many community service oriented grants which could be applied to, which will help student orgs which are community service oriented.
What are ways you would advocate for lower costs of attendance at GW (such as tuition and fees, housing, dining, charges for services, printing, SA fees, etc)?
Obviously the first step is having open discussion with campus administration to see what can be done, and what they are willing to be done. However if that does not work, I am prepared to take more drastic methods to advocate for lower costs.
What are your thoughts on the new requirement that Juniors in the Class of 2018 and onward live on campus? How will you advocate for inexpensive housing alternatives to defray the impact of this policy?
I think it is ridiculous juniors are made to live on campus when off campus housing may be more economically friendly. In everything else students are not forced to use the GW option if other options exist which are less expensive. For example students are able to buy books on amazon and are not forced to get them at the bookstore if the bookstore is more cost affordable. Housing in my opinion should be treated the same way.
How will you advocate for increased university engagement with students related to budgets and strategic planning?
I think that the university should have students serving on strategic planning and budget planning committees. I think when decisions are made, everyone who will be affected by the choice should have a say in the decision, and the students are effected the most. I think students have a unique perspective on what is working and not working at GW and their input is imperative for future planning.
Do you support GW Not For Profit’s proposal for non-voting student representatives on the financial committees of the Board of Trustees?
Yes, I completely agree with GW Not for Profit's proposal for a student to serve on the financial committees of the Board of Trustees. In the end the success of a campus and university should be in the success of their students, not by how much money a campus brings in. To be able to help ensure that, I think it is very important for a student to serve on the groups which decide how money will be spent to ensure the students are put first in decisions.
How will you, in the position you are seeking on the SA, personally listen to the needs of students and their organizations?
If I am elected to the SA I will be hosting meetings with all the organizations I represent, I will try to make it to their meetings so that we can have open communication about what I could do to help them have the best experience as a student org they can. In terms of general needs of the students, I am going to try to make senate meetings more open and friendly towards general students. I also hope to arrange meetings with different people affiliated with the university so that students are able to come ask questions and get answers about their questions and concerns.
Erin Agnew, Justin Archangel, Caroline Bourque, Kyle Hanna, Sherin Nassar, Varsha Sundararaman, and Antwain Thomas are also running for this position.