Meet the 2012 USG Candidates
March 5, 2012
Isaac Hadzovic
Hometown: Newark, New Jersey
Position: Executive Director
Class: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
GPA: 3.4
What are some of the thing you plan to do if elected?
I want to make the student experience more enjoyable and convenient. I’m going to expand the PARTA bus schedule to and from various locations on campus to downtown. I’m going to install electric signs on campus that inform you of events, weather, and emergencies. I’m going to expand the hours of operation of the Kent Market II. I’ll work directly with administration and CSI to review policy, so as to allow student leaders to have an easier time hosting events and programs. I’ll encourage representatives from various student organizations on campus to attend USG meetings. This will further enhance relations between USG and other organizations. I’m going to work heavily with the student body to achieve all of my set goals. The electronic signs will come out of the USG budget and will have absolutely no effect on tuition. I will work with fellow students to find the best PARTA bus schedule then propose a plan to PARTA and the administration. I will work heavily with the Bursar’s office to find a more efficient way for students to receive their refund checks.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
If I win, I will light up cigars with the friends that helped my campaign. Shortly after that, I will get to work!
Ben Jordan
Hometown: Washington, DC
Position: Director of Community Affairs
Class: Senior
Major: Public Relations
GPA: 3.0
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
I would like to be a really good liaison between campus and the surrounding community. I would like to increase the number of local voters for local election, and make sure that campus and the surrounding community have a mutually beneficial relationship.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
I guess go to a bar.
James King
Position: Director of Governmental Affairs
Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Class: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
GPA: 3.4
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
I want to look into the polling place for our ward; it’s currently the Recreation Center. I want to contact the Board of the Election and get the polling location moved to the library. I feel like if it’s at the library it would be a lot easier to convince students to vote.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
I’m not throwing a party or anything. I will probably celebrate with some friends. Maybe get dinner.
Amish Patel
Position: Director of Student Involvement
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Class: Junior
Major: Applied Communication
GPA: 2.9
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
I want to start building the Kent State community by getting students more involved. I want to bring back the Flash Squad, and it’s going to be a lot more amplified. I want to reach out more to commuter students.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
Maybe grab dinner or hang out with some friends.
Jeffrey Hammond
Position: Director of Programming
Hometown: North Ridgeville, Ohio
Class: Senior
Major: Health and Physical Education
GPA: 2.9
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
This will be my third term if I’m elected. I want to continue to bring big name acts. I want to try to bring in different genres of music. Recently, we have been very successful because my adviser and I build strong relationships with agencies.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
It’s a lot of work with this campaign, so I would like to go to bed. My goal is to celebrate by booking shows for the fall.
Elizabeth Holton
Position: Director of Programming
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Class: Senior
Major: Advertising
GPA: 3.02
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
With each event that USG Programming has, I would like to team it up with a nonprofit. The university has a few chapters of nonprofits like Invisible Children and To Write Love on Her Arms. There are a lot of bands and artists who team up with nonprofits for tours. We should try to bring in a nonprofit with each event to have around before and during the concert giving information to students and enlightening them on how to get involved. I would like to redo the USG website.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
I don’t have any huge plans. Maybe relax and spend time with friends.
Erik Clarke
Position: Director of Business and Finance
Hometown: Mentor, OH
Class: Freshman
Major: Political Science
GPA: 3.0
Endorsed by the Kent State Political Science Club
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
I will simplify the process of acquiring funds from allocation and consolidate forms to do that. I will also be more accessible to students and make communicating with me and the allocations board easier by use of adding contact information to the allocations website for myself and board members. I’ll also work with the executive director and USG to add more funds to allocations so that more student organizations and Greek programs can receive funding.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
Getting together on day one with the newly elected USG to discuss how we’re going to make Kent State University a better place for all students.
Brittany Neal
Position: Director of Business and Finance
Hometown: Copley, Ohio
Class: Junior
Major: Justice Studies
GPA: 3.58
What are some of the things you plan to do if elected?
There are three aspects that I would like to improve and enhance if elected. The first is promotion of the $500.00 individual funding that students can get, that may be used for them to go on conferences that relate to their major. I believe that it’s important for students to get the opportunity to gain experience within in their field of study outside of Kent State. I plan to execute that mainly through advertisement, speaking to organizations about it personally, as well as informing college deans and chairmen so that they can send the information out to their respective listservs. The second thing that I would like to do is implement either different workshops or seminars for students and organizations to come to in order to learn more about the allocations procedure and guidelines, and feel more comfortable about coming to request for funding. I plan to personally speak to organizations, and devise a plan to have a meeting where everyone can come and get the information. Also, I would like to work towards ensuring that the allocations committee is represented by competent and professional student leaders that display the diversity at Kent State. I believe that it is important to have a board that is diverse; that way there will be different perspectives presented at the table when various organizations and students come before us with their conferences and events.
If you win the election, how do you plan to celebrate?
If I win, first I’m going to celebrate by thanking God, my family, friends and all the student organizations and individuals who supported me. Then I’m going to catch up on some much needed rest by spending the night with my bed, blankets, and pillows, before I get up the next morning and begin working again.
The Stater was not able to speak with candidates Kelly Swope, Samantha Cordial and Breanne Yonkof
Contact Sade Hale at [email protected].
