I The Behrend Beacon
2006 SGA Elections
Giving Behrend Back
The Soni/Zambanini 2006-2007 Platform
Penn State Behrend has long been recognized as the small college with the big degree. With valu
able experience both academically and socially, we hope to create a synergy between events inside
and outside of the classroom in order to make Behrend the small college with the big experience.
With the opening of the REDC, parking, a problem often complained about but rarely addressed,
is bound to become more hectic than ever. After discussions with Jim Amann, it was determined
that Behrend classes will be split between the current engineering complexes and the REDC. Our
proposal is to make it mandatory for incoming freshmen who live in Niagara, Lawrence, Perry and
Senat to park in the Wilson Picnic Grove parking lot in order to alleviate already pressed parking
spaces. We will urge administration to consider using the Junker Center lot as a new commuter lot
between certain hours to alleviate commuter concerns with the opening of the REDC. Also, the
adoption of Blue & White lots, which determine commuter passes and resident passes, should alle
viate parking confusion.
From previous services with SGA, Soni and Zambanini generated the idea for digitally posting
ISBN numbers and hook information online. Now, those ISBN numbers are being collected and
recorded so that they may be posted online forcing the bookstore to adapt more competitive prices.
Soni and Zambanini will continue to promote this program, supplementing students with even more
information such as: acceptable older editions, supplement materials, etc. Soni and Zambanini will
also work to convince professors that newer edition hooks aren't necessarily better. As long as
material covered is not sacrificed, faculty will be encouraged to change hooks less frequently.
Also to be continued through Soni and Zambanini is the adaptation of local venders to Lion Cash.
Through their previous service, Soni and Zambanini are responsible for the implementation of Lion
Cash now available through a list of vendors. Continuing this program, Soni and Zambanini would
like to see the idea taken the next step where the same local vendors offer discounts to Penn State
ID holders.
Soni and Zambanini have rose up on behalf of Behrend to fight against higher-tuition rises by
organizing the Rally at the Rotunda, and will continue to do so by continuing their meetings with
legislators and lobbying in Harrisburg. We would like to examine how much state subsidy allotment
Behrend receives.
Recognizing students demand transition between the classroom and the real-world, Soni and
Zambanini will work with a number of organizations to promote such events on campus. They will
continually request SAF funds in order to sponsor campus-wide events.
Finally, Soni and Zambanini are open to compromise. criticism, and concessions. We want to cre
ate open lines of communication between SGA and the student body. We want to hear from you.
and have created a website for students to access to post their comments, concerns, and ideas. This
website can be accessed by joining the Facehook Group "Giving Back Behrend.-
Allison Palermo
senatorial candidate
First and foremost SGA is an
altruistic association which is
the voice of the students at
Penn State Behrend. This
being said. I would like to have
another opportunity to share
my views on ways the school
could he improved to help the
students. I realize this position
takes work and dedication but
I'm willing to put forth the
effort. My previous experi
ences with SGA as well as
other student governing bodies
have trained me to work for
and with people. So. vote for
me and I'll prove my presence
on the Senate to be a positive
one.
Erin Seigrist
senatorial candidate
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I am running for a Senator posi
tion of the Student Government
because I want to make a differ
ence here at Penn State
Behrend. I am currently a
Senator and love having a voice
for the student body. I am also
an active member of the THON
committee. I am a sister of
Alpha Sigma Alpha in which I
have held 4 positions. including
fundraising chairman and 3
executive hoard positions that
include President, Vice
President of Programming and
Ritual, and Vice President of
Alumnae and Heritage. I have
the leadership qualities that are
needed to he a good senator.
Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates
Deepti Soni President,
Ross Zambinini Vice President
Senatorial and secretarial candidates
Anita Srvastava
senatorial candidate
When the Behrend Beacon
asked me the ques6on oh the
day on March 16. 2006. "What
does SGA do for you''' . I
answered. They make it possi
ble for organizations to get allo
cated money for events on cam
pus. and that basically promotes
participation on campus... I lett
out a lot more that is included
within the role of SGA. SGA
represents the voice of the stu
dent body and it makes changes
in the Behrend community pos
sible. As Senator. I hope to con
tribute to the change. strength
ening
the voice of the student
body and providing more
opportunities for student organ
izations and clubs.
Benjamin Gilson
senatorial candidate
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The most prominent duty a sena
tor in the SGA must fulfill is to
represent the interests and ()pill
ions 01 the students. Through tot
ing and through actions. I plan to
make good decisions lOr the stu
dents. The best way to help the
students is to put pressure on the
government regarding school
funding. I feel that Rally at the
Rotunda is an Cs cut all members
of the student body should attend
to tight for lower tuition. I will
also help the campus is by joining
the THON committee. Penn State
has an extremely positive image.
which I will work to uphold. It has
been a pleasure working as the
SGA as the Student Life represen
tative. I have learned a great deal
this last year and hope to serve
Jennifer Behn
secretarial candidate
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If elected to the Student
Government Association, I
will do my best to fulfill my
duties as Secretary. I feel it is
important to be involved on
campus as much as possible.
As a member of the student
government, I will do my best
to represent the student body
by listening to their sugges
tions or concerns and bringing
them to the attention of SGA.
I understand the responsibili
ties of the position of secre
tary, and I am willing to work
hard to complete them to the
best of my ability.
Mike Bergstrom
senatorial candidate
Over the past two semesters 1
have served as a freshman sen
ator in SGA. As senator, I will
strive for more involvement
from not only current members,
but also students who are not in
the organization. Another goal
is to improve communication
between students and the SGA
by gathering more student input
on issues. Lastly, I will work to
spread the name and purpose of
the SGA so more students know
what we are doing to improve
campus life. If re-elected, I will
do my best to continue to repre
sent the wants and needs of the
students here at Bchrend.
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Lauren Wagner
senatorial candidate
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available
I feel that clubs and organi
zations are extremely impor
tant to the college experi
ence. Student involvement
enhances student experience
and helps students to meet
others and feel as though
they are part of a campus. I
support all clubs and organi
zations at Behrend, especial
ly those that promote diversi
ty and awareness. If elected
to SGA I will be a strong sup
porter of the extracurriculars
here at Behrend and do what
I can to get student involve
ment up.
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Students! This one's for you.
The Strauh/Mickllemiss 2006-2007 Platform
For the past two years, we have worked together to accomplish what some said was impossible.
Since the Fall of 2004. Meredith and Ken have worked together to bring students' needs to the fore
front of their committee's activities. We have been, and will continue to, work for YOU!
Our first step will he to improve SGA's communication both internally and externally. We will
improve communication from the student body to SGA. Students are uninformed of the issues that
senate handles on a daily basis. We will not only encourage the student body to attend weekly SGA
meetings hut we will also make information covered at SGA meetings more easily accessible. In
the bottom of the Reed Building. there is a message board assigned to SGA. It is our plan to post
important legislation, reallocations and upcoming programs on that board in the upcoming year.
Furthermore, we will see the SGA "buzz" really reach the student body. Word of mouth advertis
ing is a powerful tool, and we intend on utilizing its power to the fullest.
We will improve communication within SGA. We will ensure that every senator and council rep
resentative is informed of SGA policies, and understands the powers that Senate possesses.
Furthermore, it is our plan to facilitate meetings for all committee directors and assistant directors.
Through these meetings, we will see a dramatic increase in more creative programs and more obsta
cles within committees overcome.
We will strengthen SGA programming. The Rally at the Rotunda, Culture Week, Mini-THON,
the Housing Fair and the Spring Elections are just a few examples of programs that can be improved
in many ways. We will attend meetings of all the committees to provide our own expertise. We
have proven that we can not only work together, hut handle any problem that may arise.
We will invite faculty and staff to speak at our meetings. Sometimes concerns need to be voiced
to faculty and staff for the problem to get solved. We will strongly promote our guests to the stu
dent body, so students can he provided a forum for their concerns to be heard by the right people.
No one can promise that they will fix the parking conditions on campus or anything of the sort.
We have an amazing record of working things out together. We will work actively to help the stu
dents with any needs that may arise. whether it is parking or the food in Bruno's. We are not afraid
to ask people for help, yet we are also not afraid to stand up for ourselves or more importantly,
YOU.
Julie Elkins
secretarial candidate
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Last fall, I ran for and won the posi
tion of Freshman Senator. Since
then, I've been very active and
involved in the Senate and in both
the Governmental Affairs and
Student Affairs committees. When
I received the Outstanding
Freshman Senator award, I was
both elated and honored. It's great
to see how much of a difference I
can make for the school through my
dedication to SGA. As secretary, I
would strive to make SGA as an
organization run more smooth!y
and efficiently. That way we can
focus on what is most important:
making Behrend a great experience
for students!
Brett Watson
senatorial candidate
This past semester I base had
the tremendous honor of serving
on the Student Government
Association as an upperclass
man senator and sitting on both
the Student Affairs and
Academic Affairs Committees.
If re-elected. I would continue to
he an active. dedicated member
of the Senate and my commit
tees. and I'd also strive to ensure
that the interests of all Behrend
students are represented and
protected. I would also like to
see the SGA become more
approachable to the student
body and play a more active role
in first hearing and then solving
their problems. Any and all sup
port is appreciated!
Meredith Straub President,
Ken Middlemiss Vice President
Erin Kennedy
senatorial candidate
It is no secret that questions
and concerns are constantly
raising throughout the student
body. My search to help find
answers eventually led me to
SGA. Throughout my term as a
freshman senator, I have been
doing my personal best to lis
ten and to help pass legislation
that will serve in the students'
best interest. If reelected, I will
continue to serve my fellow
students in this manner. In
addition, I will help to raise
awareness of the functions of
SGA so that students who are
looking for a place to bring
their concerns can find that
place more easily.
Amanda Tyler
senatorial candidate
for the past two semesters I
have had the privilege and
honor of serving as a freshman
senator in SGA. I have been
involved in the budget and gov
ernmental affairs committees,
and have participated in many
Other activities. If re-elected, I
will strive to bring the concerns
of my fellow peers to the SGA,
so change can happen. I'd like
to see more outside involvement
from students in the decision
making of SGA, and will work
to make this happen through
telling others about SGA. I
would appreciate your support
during elections, in helping to
reelect me as senator.
Friday, March 24, 2006
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Laura Plocido
senatorial candidate
As a Senator on SGA this past
year, I have seen many things
changed on Behrend's campus
and I find that to be very
rewarding. I would like to
continue my role as a Senator
next year so that I may contin
ue to help to improve
Behrend. If elected, I will try
my best to be a liaison to the
Students, making sure to bring
concerns that they may have
to the attention of the rest of
Senate. I will also work hard
to talk to students about SGA
and let them know how they
can get involved.
Samantha Yong
senatorial candidate
The Student Government
Association of Penn State
Bchrend undertakes the enor
mous responsibility of leading,
as well as guiding and advanc
ing, the student body and its
variety of organizations. Having
been a part of student govern
ments in my original country,
Singapore, and in the United
States for a fair number of years,
I have great interest and the
experience for the position of
Senator. I would also be able to
give a different perspective, in
addition to new ideas and sug
gestions, to the Association, and
can therefore assist not only the
Association, but the college and
its students on the whole.