In a few days, the polls will be opening as another Student Association election will be upon us. But who to vote for? And should you even vote at all?

In short – yes, you should vote. In fact you should vote and then get your roommate to vote as well. Why, though?

Because, if under the right person, the SA – our SA – will be a valuable and indispensable asset to the student body.

This right person, our next president, has got to have a clear vision of what she wants to accomplish for SA, for the students and for our beloved campus on the Hill.

The next president has got to have experience, and not just experience holding a leadership position. No, I’m talking about experience being an active leader. Positions mean little compared to action, results and inherent leadership characteristics.

The next president has got to understand the various needs of the diverse students she is going to have the duty and privilege of representing to her peers, to the faculty, to the administration and to the city of Syracuse.

The next president has got to be committed to success and passionate about the job she will be holding.

Which brings me, and us, full circle and back to our original question of who to vote for? That, my friends, is the easy part because there’s only one girl I know who meets and surpasses all the above requirements. The next SA president has to be Marlene Goldenberg.

Matthew J. CorreiaSenior philosophy and economics majorFormer President, Residence Hall Association

There’s no better voice that would represent the student body than Marlene Goldenberg as the next Student Association president. Yes, like other candidates before and against her, she has experience, exceptional ideas and enthusiasm. But her main focus is a little different – she actually takes the initiative to learn what the students at Syracuse University really want.

A few weeks ago, Goldenberg sat down next to me with a pen and paper and asked, ‘What would you like to change?’ She asked me – a student, a leader of a student organization, a person that her position will directly affect – what I wanted. Although I am one voice, my voice counts, which is what Goldenberg was saying to all of the other student organization representatives she has met with to ensure that she represents us.

As the current vice president, one of her personal initiatives included meeting with every assembly member to make sure SA is not just externally but internally prepared to provide for the students.

Many students are unaware of what SA really entails or of the many different student organizations. Therefore, Goldenberg would have a monthly SA newsletter that lists student events sent out to bring forth knowledge and unity among different student organizations and SA.

Community interaction is also important to help protect student interests, such as parking issues. To bring the university together, she wants students to be aware of traditions and even wants to start a traditional ski trip to Lake Placid.

Go for Gold!

Shavon S. GreeneSophomore magazine journalism majorVice President, Black Communications Society

Marlene Goldenberg is a dedicated person in everything she does. If she is elected Student Association president, she will listen to the student body and try her best to give them everything she possibly can.

She has done her best to go on and off campus to reach students and find out their biggest concerns about the school that we pay to come to! She has promised to be very open to students and listen to what they have to say. She has approached so many student organizations asking what SA can do for them.

She wants to give us traditions to remember for years to come.

What more could we want in a president? Vote for Marlene!

Emily St. LiferJunior religion and society majorPresident, Hillel/Jewish Student Union

Published on November 10, 2007 at 12:00 pm