CANDIDATES ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARE LISTED:
How would you define the direction the University is moving in?
What do you see as major issues for USM that you will tackle during your term?
What do you see as the role of Student Senate as the University goes through transformation?
Candidates are listed by alphabetically by position.
Candidates for Student Body President
Joshua D. Chaisson
Major/Minor: Economics
Class Standing: Sophomore
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with:
Student Senate Treasurer, Resident Assistant, Leadership Development Board, Finance Committee Chair, Student groups.
USM is expanding and growing into an institution of higher learning that others are now looking to mirror.
Implementing more of a student voice on campus, student involvement, student leadership, following up with student concerns.
The Student Senate will serve as a body to oversee administrative student activity organizations, enact resolutions that represent student concerns, be another voice for students and much more.
Joshua J. Force
Major/Minor: Political Science
Class Standing: Junior/Senior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
I am a proud member of the Model United Nations Club and the Honors Student Organization. I have worked with both the Student Senate and the Board of Student Organizations.
A positive one: we are growing and maturing towards greater student involvement and responsibility.
My primary concern is fostering student engagement with the intellectual, social and administrative community that is USM.
Finding the balance of the position, developing a strong working relationship with the Senate, and listening to the Senate’s ideas will be central to my role as President.
Caroline A. Young
Major/Minor: Psychology and Linguistics / Women’s Studies
Class Standing: Senior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: Board of Student Organizations Vice President, Public Relations Committee, Parking Committee, Violations Inquiry Committee, Leadership Development Board, attended the Maine State Leadership Conference, Conference on
Students are getting involved-that’s great! Online elections and a Student Body President will make government more representative, but we still have room to grow.
Increasing student government visibility, advocating for, educating and empowering students. Textbook prices are high and climbing, but I have a plan to fight back.
The University’s transformation is an opportunity for the Student Senate to reach out to all Maine campuses and organize statewide, creating a powerful student voice.
Candidates for Student Senate At-Large Seats
Amanda R. Blake
Major/Minor: Sociology
Class Standing: Senior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
Currently President of Gorham Events Board, Leadership Development Board and Student Conduct Committee. I also have an internship with Skyline Music Industry.
The University is constantly moving upwards in technology and resources. Our classrooms are becoming more accessible to media and now the University is wireless, which has many advantages.
Disbursement of Student Senate funds, keeping commuter students informed, transformation into merging of other campuses.
To keep the student voice heard because it is the most important thing to keep this University running.
Andrew Ian Bossie
Major/Minor: Political Science/ Theater
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with:
Student Senate Vice-Chair, Leadership Development Board, Student Involvement Center, USM Theater, Various University Committees, and of course, classes.
Decent. More attention must be paid to the needs of the students. USM is advancing quickly; I fear it moving with the student kept in mind.
Tuition costs, USM spreading too thin with the UMA merger, food services, stronger student voice, and better facilities all need to be addressed.
The Senate has to be a stronger centralized student voice that will keep USM administration concentrated on a quality education that is affordable and caters to students’ needs.
Sergio H. Descart
Major/Minor: Philosophy
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
I am Vice President of the Latino-Hispanic Student Association.
The University is truing to establish a multicultural community. But when it comes to student involvement and representation, multicultural students are being misrepresented.
I would like to represent and acknowledge multicultural students.
The Student Senate role should be to keep an open floor for any issues and concerns from the students attending USM; representing and helping.
James J. McKeon
Major/Minor: Political Science
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with:
Student Senate, Leadership Development Board, Public Relations Committee Chair, Tennis Team
A positive direction, working to make USM something to be proud of.
Advising, civic engagement, USM traditions, creating USM as a community, parking
I see the USM Student Senate as the voice of the students who convey how the student body feels on issues.
Laura Saia
Major: Biology
Class Standing: Sophomore
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
Cheerleading coach, Member of Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, working in the Office of the Dean of Student Life
I would say that it is moving in a direction to try and better itself.
Trying to get students more involved, better school spirit.
Trying to be an active voice for what is good for the whole student body.
Candidates for Student Senate Commuter Seats
Michelle K. Alger
Major/Minor: Geography-Anthropology and Philosophy (Double Major)
Class Standing: Senior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: Student Senate, Geography-Anthropology Student Association, Honors Faculty Council, Honors College Planning Commission, and Honors Student Organization (Member).
I feel the University is moving in a positive direction, especially since we are reconstructing General Education and creating a Student Body President.
I hope to ensure that students get a voice in the academic and financial decisions being made concerning USM while making student government/involvement more appealing.
The Student Senate is a great platform for students to actively participate with the administration in the decisions that will determine the future of USM.
Michael T. Barden
Major/Minor: Nursing and Psychology / Criminology and Biology
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: The Free Press, the USM Student Senate, the SMCC Student Senate, Honors Student Organization, Student Nurses Organization, the Board of Student Organizations, Psychology Club, Faculty Senate and HCPC.
The University is facing some very challenging times, especially from a fiscal standpoint. I believe that, given the many constraints placed upon them, the leadership of the University is doing a great job and needs as much support and guidance as the student body can afford them.
Parking is always an issue on campus. Also, depending on the legislature’s involvement and disposition, the issue of integrating UMA and USM will require attention. On a lesser note, I think all of the vending machines should be equipped to handle Husky Bucks, and the snack bar at the Ice Arena should accept them as well. USM also needs a swimming and diving facility.
Fred Fridman
Major/Minor: Biology / Biochemistry
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
President of the USM Chemistry Club, four poster presenter at Thinking Matters, provide tutoring for chemistry students, active volunteer in the community.
A very positive direction, spearheaded by a robust science department as well as business school.
Dealing with an expanding University that will suffer budget cutbacks like most state schools. Find a balance in the distribution of funding as well as encouraging snow days during winter storms.
The Senate’s role will have to shift from the only governing body to adapt to the new executive branch. The two branches will work closely together to ensure the student body’s interests play a role in shaping the University.
Janine Marie Gorham
Major/Minor: Undeclared
Class Standing: Sophomore
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
Pagan Students Association, University Families Organization, formerly elected to the Student Senate and Board of Student Organizations Secretary but had to withdraw from school due to family tragedy.
I see it moving more towards a corporate atmosphere. I believe it should be moving towards community involvement for the betterment of Maine’s economic future.
Student involvement, healthy food access, pedestrian issues, environmental impact issues.
The role of the Student Senate is to convey student concerns to the administration and to follow through with implementation. I also believe it is our responsibility to reach out into the community.
Dan Johnson
Major/Minor: Biology / Chemistry
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with:
Currently serve as a Student Senator and Chair of the Appointments Committee. A member of the Sailing team and the Men’s Volleyball team.
rection in which, over time, we will see the value of a degree from USM on the increase while still remaining affordable.
On-campus parking, dining services, student involvement, Student Senate awareness and tackling any concerns voiced by the students
The role of Student Senate should be to help make this transition easier and more comfortable by aiding faculty in decisions that will have an effect on us all as well as making sure that all students have a voice in the process.
Angelica D. Kimball
Major/Minor: Linguistics
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: Currently I am involved with the Student Senate and hope to be a peer advisor in the fall.
I would say the University is becoming more diverse. We are catering to the changing job market and lifestyles of our students.
The major issues I would tackle would be parking and the accessibility of the senators to students with concerns.
I think that the Senate will play an important role both as a forum for concerns of both parties as well as role models for USM.
Adam D. Mirmelli
Major/Minor: Accounting (Finance concentration)
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: I am a current senator, serving on the Executive Board. As well, I am involved in Greek Life as a member of Kappa Delta Phi.
The University has some good potential for its future. Though it currently needs to listen more to the needs of the students and make decisions to meet those needs.
The school dorms, the fact hat RA harassment happens a lot toward students instead of RAs helping students. As well as dorms in general.
To continue to voice student needs and hold the administration accountable for their actions and decisions and how they affect the
student needs at USM.
Jason T. Toothaker
Major/Minor: Political Science
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: I am an active Senator who is involved in the Senate’s Finance Committee. I am also a Student Legal Services employee.
I would say we are moving forward. The new Student Body President will enhance input at the University level.
I will work tirelessly to balance the Senate budget while on the Finance Committee. I will always be sure to give money to groups that benefit student life.
To keep the administrative decisions democratic and accountable to students.
Resident Seats
George Andrew Borum
Major/Minor: History / Education
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with: I’m a Student Conduct Committee Officer dealing with students’ appeals hearings. I’m also an Academic Peer Advisor helping students understand University academic policies.
USM is moving in a positive direction towards giving students an opportunity to reach their full potential as students. Also, giving students a great chance to become positive leaders through organization.
Promoting more diversity throughout the University. USM is taking the necessary steps in trying to provide students with more diversity, but I feel we should work harder to help students from all cultures and backgrounds.
Becoming more involved with University policy, giving the administration more insight into what issues are plaguing USM.
David C. Colson
Major/Minor: Political Science / Business Administration
Class Standing: Sophomore
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with: I am currently involved in the USM College Democrats, the Political Science Students Association and work in the Office of Admissions giving campus tours.
The addition of new facilities and programs at USM has allowed the University to continue to move in a positive, forward direction, while adapting to changing times.
Addressing parking on campus as well as policing of parking. Also needing attention is the number of opportunities and events provided for students (i.e. Gorham Events Board, Board of Student Organizations, Student Senate).
The USM Student Senate needs to be able to act on the wishes of the student population and be a bridge to faculty and administration to better the University as a whole.
Brian T. DeCampos
Major/Minor: Industrial Technology
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with:
I am currently a member of the Senate, play club volleyball and I as a volunteer tour guide.
Overall, the University is on a gradual upward slope.
The two major issues I see are the lack of housing and the parking issue.
The Student Senate will have input from the students, which will guide the transformation in a smooth manner.
Jaric T. Fontaine
Major/Minor: Biology
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
Anime Club
Moving from a liberal arts college to a more research oriented setting.
Cuts in state and federal funding, tuition increase, food quality.
Advocates for students and coordinating student activities.
Keith W. Foster
Major/Minor: English
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: Current Student Senate Secretary, Poetry Editor of Words & Images, current Russell Scholar.
USM is moving towards higher precedents for students and administration alike; and the bar needs to keep rising.
Strengthening of student voice throughout the transforming USM process and helping to enable and empower the student body as a whole.
The Student Senate needs to project the voice of the students. We need to help sustain and strengthen student communities and consistently talk with administration as representatives of the students.
Lauren J. Justin
Major/Minor: Undeclared
Class Standing: Freshman
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with: I am a member of the Semi-Formal Committee through Residential Life and I am currently a Student Senator on the 33rd USM Student Senate
I believe that more and more people are voicing concerns and trying to get involved around campus. The direction is definitely moving up.
One major issue I have noticed is that many students have concerns regarding USM and they don’t know who to go to with their concerns. I would try to let students know about the Student Senate and what we do.
The Student Senate plays an important role in the transformation of USM. Student Senate is the liaison between the students and staff whom provide the transformation process with info with what students want.
Daniel S. Lawrence
Major/Minor: Linguistics / Mathematics
Class Standing: Junior
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with:
Currently I am working with the Parking and Transportation Committee.
I believe this University has the potential to become a Northeastern educational power. As the University embraces the hard sciences and more, it should not forget the wonderful arts programs.
My major theme will be quality; quality of community, quality of campus life, quality of education.
Whereas the student body is the employer of the University, the Student Senate should be the definitive governing body of the University. I feel the decisions the students, through their senators make reflect the character of the University.
Ezra Poore
Major/Minor: Psychology
Class Standing:
Incumbent Senator? No
Activities involved with: I am currently a psychology major living in Portland Hall. I am a member of the Psychology Honors Society, the Psy Chi club, and am also involved in the Handicapped Student Aid Department. I currently work in the office of the Vice President of Student and University Life and am a full-time student.
The University is moving in a positive direction in which, over time, we will see the value of a degree from USM on the increase while still remaining affordable.
I expect to be working with peers of like-minded interests. Donating time to enrich our campus life would be a worthwhile venture. I believe that the Portland Hall dormitory should be represented in the Student Senate, that’s why I am running. I see many improvements that could be made, and plan to voice this improvements if I’m elected.
Amanda L. Slattery
Major/Minor: History
Class Standing: Freshman
Incumbent Senator? Yes
Activities involved with:
The activities I am involved in are the Student Senate, Student Affairs Committee and the Parking Committee.
The University is moving into a large time of change with the merger and contract negotiation with ARAMARK. Many changes will take place in the next few years.
Some major issues are ones with food, housing, parking and increasing of tuition.
The role of the Student Senate is to be the voice of the students to the Administration to stand up for students’ rights and wants. The Senate needs to be a good advocate for students.