Barnard First-Year Elections Under Way

Diversity concerns and universal access were at the forefront of Tuesday night's Student Government Association Candidates Forum, where candidates for first-year class council and three new positions-Representatives of Diversity, Student Services, and University Programming-debated in the Barnard quad.

Despite the outdoor locale, the lack of a microphone, and little light, 22 first-year candidates and four of the students running for the new diversity positions were among those who each delivered five-minute platform speeches followed by a question-and-answer session to an crowd of around 50.

The four candidates running for Representative of Diversity gave their speeches last, yet they fielded more questions than any other group of candidates.

"There is no artificial way to bring people together naturally," Akshatha Ramakrishnan, BC '10 and the only first-year candidate running for Representative of Diversity, said.

When asked about the difficulty of dealing with diversity issues on campus, candidates had varied responses.

"The administration, the student body, and the institution itself is very, very resistant to change," said Mary Shodiya, BC '08.

"I disagree," Courtney Duncan, BC '09, said in response. "I do think the administration is open to ideas. They just don't really know what to do."

Anna Schon, BC '07 and the unopposed candidate for Representative of Student Services, targeted the offices of Health Services and Housing and Residential Life in her speech.

"One of the biggest problems with these offices is that they lack the ability to know exactly what the students need," Schon said. "I plan to convert extra storage space in the 600 dorms into singles, thereby ameliorating the problem of housing shortage."

Shira Jacobs, BC '10, who is running unopposed for Representative of University Programming, was not present.

The creation of the new positions was voted on by the SGA and the student body last spring. It was part of a drive to help make the council more representative and divers, according to SGA President Eman Bataineh, BC '07.

Candidates for the first-year council discussed a variety of issues including university-wide dining points, longer hours for Barnard's eateries, and sexual harassment policy reform.

"[The] relationship that needs to be solidified is between Barnard and Columbia," Yael Hall, BC '10 and class treasurer candidate, said. "We take classes together, but there is no universal access."

Yolanda Lannquist, BC '10 and class presidential candidate, explained her support for universal access.

"Though Barnard students appreciate the choice to integrate themselves with Columbia, those who desire to have better connections with our University across the street may find it difficult," Lannquist said.

Since no first-year is running for class secretary, the post will be filled later through an application process, as will the position of Columbia College Student Council Representative.

Online voting for all positions began Tuesday night at 10 p.m. and continues until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Students can also vote for amendments to the SGA constitution online.