2014 Fall Election Candidates’ Statements: Representative to the Office of Intercultural Affairs (Pensby Representative)

Archivist note: Originally published on the Elections WordPress site. Sep 21, 2014 @ 23:20, “Representative to the Office of Intercultural Affairs (Pensby Representative)”

Xavia Miles

Are there elephants in the room? My name is Xavia Miles and as a contender for  the position of  Intercultural Affairs/Pensby Center Representative I assert that many of the elephants that may be gallivanting through our social space can relate to diversity. There are many things that catalyzed by decision to run for this position, one is my desire to strengthen communication between the Pensby Center and the rest of the community. In addition, I have always been intrigued by the terms and methods used to showcase diversity and I would like students to have a more direct say in the way Bryn Mawr College advertises and discusses diversity with alumni and parents. During my experience in self-governance I have appreciated the level to which students may be involved and I desire to work more closely with faculty and staff to facilitate conversations regarding diversity on campus, and make all fo the resources provided by the Pensby Center more accessible.

During my time at Bryn Mawr I have been apart of multiple organizations and initiatives that would prepare to effectively serve in this position. I have served on the Sisterhood Exectutive Board I am member of the Customs Committee and  a Member-at-Large. Both of these positions have allowed me develop my ability to communicate with and one behalf of  multiple constituencies, effectively compile and implement the ideas of others, as well as extensive communication with the faculty and staff. I also work assiduously to organize and prioritize my obligations and to alot for time should something need my immediate attention and I am dedicated to ensuring that every student feels included in self-governance proceedings and informed on all  the resources the Pensby Center has to offer

While Bryn Mawr as an institution has been praised at its attempts to diversify its student body, and thrives on the  contributions of a diverse community,  discussing the many facets of diversity is fraught with complex terms can be difficult to navigate. However, should I be honored to hold this position I endeavour to encourage more student involvement and collaboration through:

  1.      1.         I think one of the reasons Pensby Center is not utilized as a resource are the issues with  accessibility. Thus, I propose that whenever possible gatherings occur in more accessible spaces such as the Campus Center or Dalton.
  2.      2.         Lexitalks. Often students assert that during interactions with The Pensby Center, they feel that the jargon is inaccesible, whether it be the approriate terms to use when discussing gender identities or concepts such as “microaggressions”. In order to encourage effective communication it is important that everyone has access to the same rhetoric. During these discussions, terms such as these will be defined and discussed (and is tradition there will be snacks).
  3.      3.         I think advertising the Pensby center is crucial to creating a stronger bond between the office and student body. Thus, I will work closely with Stephanie Nixon and Vanessa Christman to advertise new initiatives and report about the discussions occurring in Pensby Center.

Thank you all for you time and consideration and I would be honored to serve you all as the Pensby Center Representative and may all of your elephants be small!

Rhett Richardson

I’m Rhett Richardson, class of 2015, and I’m running for Pensby Representative.

I held the position last year and quickly realized that the position didn’t have much information surrounding its purpose and constituency. During my time in the position, though, I made connections to ensure that the position could have a more active role in the upcoming years – so that our diverse community would feel more accurately represented through SGA than it has been in years passed.

Things I propose to do in the role:
– Creating space for diversity sessions for the community primarily with more basic learning experiences such as “101” discussions
– Ensure more knowledge around accessing Pensby resources is available to everyone (not necessarily just in crisis but certainly then) through advertising and holding “get to know people” teas featuring AMO (Alliance of Multicultural Organizations) groups and/or Pensby faculty.
– Supporting students by listening to concerns and “reporting back” either to SGA or Pensby.
– Spreading advertisements for student event focusing on diversity topics.

As someone who already works closely with the Pensby Center – in my roles in AMO groups, my position as Pensby generalist/intern, and past experience as Pensby Rep – being a active participant in these ways would not be difficult next steps. I would hope to use my knowledge and experience to better make the position involved with the community.