Undergraduate Student Government

Senator

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• Name:
  Yasmine Whittaker
• Major:
  Political Science, International Relations
• Year:
  Junior
• Slate:
  Ben & Jordan's AmeriCone Dream Team
• Website:
• Constituency:
  College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Image:
  
• Question 1:How would you make sure your constituents know who you are and how they can contact you?
  I would continue to do what I have been doing since I was elected last year. I just visit student organizations randomly and say "Hi, my name is Yasmine Whittaker and I am your USG senator do you have any concerns?" I could do a better job in making student know who I am by wearing my USG nametag all of the time but that would be way to much. :) I answer E-mails if my filter doesn't take them away and I am always happy to meet with any SBS majors.
• Question 2:How do you respond to accusations that joining USG senate is all about resume padding?
  The obvious rebuttals to that statement are the changes that many members of USG achieve and continue to work for. The evidence is everywhere from the biodegradable bags at Marketplace to new minor, USG senators make a difference. The purpose of a resume is to show off the skills that you have acquired throughout the years. The skills that you learn as a senator in USG are skills that students in any club or organization can learn. The reason that I choose to acquire those skills within USG is because this is what I have a passion for. When people need help or want to see a change I like to be the person to take action on their behalf. Resume padding is for people who barely participate but belong to a dozen or so groups. I do not belong to many groups. Undergraduate student government is the group that takes a lot of my time.
• Question 3:How would you like to see USG improve?
  I would like for USG to be more focused on accademics. We do a great job of making sure that student organizations get money to put on programs but we need to focus on making sure all of the students graduate on time. There have been many times that I have asked a peer questions about academics that they should know and they do not have a clue. The biggest problem SBS students have is with advising. We need to make sure that students know what is available to them. We should say "yes one of your advisiers quit but you have two advisors, try to contact the other one until there is a replacement, go here..." We should be the people that other students come to and depend on to know the answer, or at least point them in the right direction.
• Question 4: Pick a ballot initiative, state your position and explain why you hold that position.
  None
• Question 5:What is your least favorite day of the year; and why?
  My least favorite day of the year is the day right before winter break. It is cold raining/snowing and I have to take a final. THAT is the worst day of the year.
• Ledger:
  None