1. Benjamin Taylor is a sophomore economics major.
Current Activities: USM Student Senate, Vice Chair
Greatest concern: A lack of student involvement. Without enough students involved, there’s a lack of quality events being planned. Also, student voice is diminished and not taken seriously.
Plan to address it: I want to work with student groups to create better publicized, quality involvement opportunities. Only with increased involvement in student government and its entities can we bring more quality entertainment and increase student voice, creating a better USM community.
2. Jason T. Toothaker is a senior political science major.
Current Activities: While I’m not currently in any student groups, I’ve been active in the Political Science Students Association, the USM Student Senate, and Student Legal Services.
Greatest concern: High textbook prices.
Plans to address it: I will examine ways in which other universities have dealt with this issue as a matter of policy.
3. Alex Bresler is a senior chemistry and sociology double major.
Current Activities: Secretary of Student Senate, senate student affairs committee chair, Chemistry Club, chemistry tutor, stockroom and lab assistant, senate public relations committee member, Student Senate representative to the Student Communications Board, senate finance committee member, Board of Student Organization budget committee member, etc, etc.
Greatest concern: There isn’t one greatest concern. I imagine that trying to get the most out of the college experience without having to sacrifice too much for it is a pretty high priority for everyone.
Plan to address it: My experience has shown me that whenever USM Student Government tries to tackle a major issue we usually fail miserably. With student involvement being extremely low I would like to concentrate on smaller tasks and maybe try to build up collaboration between different parts of student government and its entities.
4. Paul T. McCarrier (not pictured) is a sophomore social work major.
Current Activities: Black Bird Legal Collective, community organizing.
Greatest concern How our funds are being spent.
Plan to address it: A whole lotta ways.
5. Hamida A. Suja is a junior biology major (soon to be political science major).
Current Activities: Model UN, Latino Hispanic Students Association, and working on re-establishing the Black Students Association
Greatest concern: Mostly financial, reducing tuition, etc. Also, minority representation is very rare, therefore I am hoping to be their voice.
Plan to address it: First, meet with all the leaders and discuss the best way to achieve this goal. After presenting this concern to the student government body, I will work on the possibility of involving higher authorities who have a say and make decisions.
6. Adam Royer is a sophomore whose major is undecided.
Current Activities: Cross Country, Indoor/ Outdoor Track and Field, Phoenix Society, Juvenile Justice Advisory Group
Greatest concern: Tuition increases should not be happening. Removal of the majors. Community between the Portland and Gorham campuses.
Plans to address: Making the right decisions with questions concerning things like the new core curriculum.