MARSHA COHEN
Staff Writer
Marsha Cohen: What year did you join SA and what made you want to join?
Zachary Beaudoin: I joined SA this year and decided to join because I’ve always been an advocate for the underdog and I wanted to advocate for those who won’t speak up for themselves. I fit into many facets of the campus and I think that, being part of these groups, I can bring a different perspective to the General Assembly.
MC: What makes you more qualified than the other candidate for this position?
Zach: What I do bring, that they don’t, is experience outside SA. I’ve been to SUNY SA, read the constitution, and began learning Robert’s Rules, but it’s the outside worldly experience that I have [that] most people lack at this point in our lives. I’m a feminist, a queer, and I’ve been within many social circles that allow me to understand most issues. I’ve lost everything I owned in a house fire and had to come to terms with having nothing for a while. People and the environment are what is important and I think it’s all of these life experience[s] that allow me to truly understand. I think there is a clear distinction, though, between understanding and speaking for. What sets me apart is that I want to be “for the students, by the students, with the students.” I’m a white male and while I don’t represent myself as one, many people will see me as one and I don’t want that to be immediately what they think.
I’ve traveled around the world, taught in Belize and been in the army. I’ve experienced so much that I feel that I’m able to think objectively whenever things come to my attention … I’m not afraid to tactfully stand up for what’s right.
I’ve worked in Maryland politics for Anthony Brown for Governor, Tom Hucker for County Councilman and many state delegates. I’m experienced in constituency contact, research for policy reformation, and I’ve dealt with many high profile people. I believe I’m the most qualified because I’ve already been in situations that have given me the skills for what it takes to hold the position. I’m in five clubs on campus (Mock Trial, Enactus, Amnesty International, Sierra Club, Fredonia Democrats), hold two [SA] committee seats (Food Committee, Sustainability), I’m a chair for another committee (Environmental Relations) and have three E-board positions(VP Sierra Club, President Dems, VP Amnesty).
A lot of the things I do on campus, or in the community, go without recognition because it’s not about the recognition, but the change that my actions yield. My goal the whole time has been to empower the students, voice their concerns, and set up a system where the students can control their own campus. While I’m busy, I still maintain my job at Claddagh Commission and have time to do my school work. I can easily handle the tough schedule of the president and maintain a professional image for the campus.
MC: Jefferson Dedrick, your opponent, is a really prominent member in SA, but only one person can win. What do you have that he doesn’t? Do you think you can work with him if you were to win?
ZB: I can definitely work with [him] if I win or I don’t win. It’s a part of life and politics. Jefferson is a great speaker and if I win, I would definitely encourage him to run for the position again … It’s important to recognize when people are ready to lead and when they still need more experience. I’ve been working very hard to lead the campus into a better direction sustainably. What I’ve been trying to do is raise the value of our degree, by proposing the community garden, composting and other environmentally friendly initiatives. I want to raise our AASHE [Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education] stars report and educate the students about the things that aren’t typically known. We need to break through the apathy of the students and show them how to care about their campus and their education.
MC: What changes are you looking to make if you win the presidency?
ZB: If I get the presidency I want to begin by making SA more efficient. I already proposed an Ethics Committee, but I want to make sure we’re as transparent as possible. Students already don’t know, care [about], or trust SA and I want to fix that. I want to eliminate the paper we use as an association to become more environmentally friendly. My Vice President and I have talked exhaustively about how we want to appeal more to the students and we think it’d be helpful for us to go to the students about problems instead of waiting for them to come to us. We’re their voice and it’s their campus and so we want to make communication more direct and with the new Chief of Staff position it will make it easier to address concerns.
I want to continue to move our campus down the path to becoming more sustainable since [I’m] afraid [we’re] falling behind. I want to talk with other campuses and ensure that our SA is as efficient and productive as others.
MC: Your VP does not have any SA experience; are you worried about that?
ZB: My VP doesn’t have any SA experience, but he has read the constitution and comes as a voice for 1,400 students who don’t have time to get involved. He is a dedicated well-rounded person who, quite frankly, may be the best person for the position. We have a large campus and, while I know many people and fit into many groups, he fits into a large group of students that I don’t. And that’s not to say that we wouldn’t work for all the students, but it just means we have more connections to find [out] what the students want and we can work hard to address student concerns.
MC: What has the current administration done that you would like to keep?
Zach: The current administration ran with the three “Rs” and aimed to restore faith back in SA. While I admire what they did, it’s not fully there and I want to continue their legacy. I want to go to the meetings the Antonio goes to, sit on the committees he sits on, and with that always have the students in mind. Whether students know it or not, we’re watched and evaluated by our actions and if the community and administration see that the students elected someone that is punctual, professional and knowledgeable we will look good. It’ll show that we are responsible for our campus and I think the current administration got the ball rolling, but I’m adamant on continuing it.
Further insight from Tyler Colvin
MC: You do not have any SA experience. Does the task of VP seem daunting?
TC: I do not see the task as daunting. I have learned many skills personally and professionally through roles I have occupied in numerous other organizations. Based upon these learning experiences, I feel confident. I see new challenges and learning experiences to drive us towards progress rather than daunting tasks.
MC: You are also a music student. Will you have time to take on the role of VP?
TC: Even as a music student, anyone can use effective time management to overcome any obstacle or challenge. I am confident in my ability to perform my responsibilities.
MC: What drew you to the role in the first place?
TC: I have always been passionate about society’s progress. I saw this campaign as an opportunity to create an environment on campus that values students’ opinions and acknowledges them much more.