A Slate for Change, A Slate for Students, A Slate for You

Who are we?
We're a group of individuals involved with the student body through activities such as Senate, RHA, community service, the Rape Agression Defense Program (RAD), cultural organizations, pre-professional advising groups, and FYSOP. We came together because we are dedicated to representing the needs of all students, not just special interest groups. We can work with current programs and implement new ones to improve this university and make students proud to be part of BU.

What are we going to do?
We're going to take the concerns of the students, vocalize them, and turn them into changes for this university. Through improvements in areas such as TF training, the leniency of the guest policy, the present structure of SUAB and the distribution of the undergraduate student fee, the Escort Service, the connection between cultural groups on campus, and the involvement and power of the students, we will make this university more receptive to its students. These are issues that affect us all, and student input should be a part of the considerations surrounding decisions on issues such as these.

Why should you care?
Your involvment is the only thing that's going to make this university better. The administration will not take the Student Union seriously unless the student body empowers itself by voting. BU is more than the administration and staff-it's all about the students. Voting for us will be the first step that you can take in becoming more involved in your university. If you feel that your opinions and needs are important, then you need to VOTE 2 BeUnderstood

Samantha Kurkjy
President
CAS 2001, BA in English, minor in Political Science. Pre-Law.

If Sam is not in the Student Union office working on Senate projects, she is interning in Senator Kennedy's office. Although she has nothing to do with the Senator's pants, she fully supports Ben's personal and professional aspirations. Sam actually assists the State Director and issues official letters of commendation. She also loves the vibes of the Beastie Boys, and has actually met one of their fathers (who, by the way, fully supports BeUnderstood). Sam has a puppy named Gilligan, loves The Catcher in the Rye, and thinks Christopher Walken is the scariest man on earth. But, she reasons, he's probably not a bad guy; he just needs to work harder to BeUnderstood.

Dustin, (we call him Dusto) was born and raised in the people's republic of Berkeley California, and didn't know a sole person at BU when he arrived as a Freshman. He served as RHA chair of his dorm, implementing programs like an annual paintball competition between Hamilton House and 1019. "Pie the RA's" was a lot of fun too, though it probably explained why he got 20 noise violations the second semester (his RA graduated and we hope he isn't reading this, right now). Did you see this year's West Campus float, the rockin' 50's float? Dusto threw some of his organizational muscle into that bad boy too. During his year off, he spent his time doing website and database design work for a NASA sub-contractor, which means that he will kick butt at helping to update the union web page and helping to create an authoritative student events calendar.

This man was a 'Dynomite' peer advisor (Cameron [another nick name] advises you to pronouce it like JJ from Good Times) in CGS he knows about how the negativity can start, breed so faster and fester. He's down with the hardships that many students feel and the often grave levels of unhappiness at this school. "What is so sad to me is that there are so many people who cannot find anything positive about this school. As RHA Chair I had what was basically a thankless job. And it was hard to stay focused, it was hard to keep putting agendas up 2 days before the meetings every week, in front of the elevators, in the laundry room. I knew every kid in our dorm had seen the advertising and knew what was up, and then 5 people come to meetings, yah it hurt, it really sucked. But programs like float building, Pie the RA's and Paintball. Programs that make students happy here at BU, make us feel like part of a community, those are the programs that ROCK."

Emily comes to you straight from Merrimac, Massachusetts and is enrolled in the CAS Honors Program and the Core Curriculum. After graduation, she plans on pursing further study in a career in Public Health. Emily has taken an active role in community service at BU since her arrival here. She recalls her memories from FYSOP, both as a staffer and as an incoming freshman, as some of her best from BU ("Pi-co-lo-mi-ni" and "Father Abraham" still get stuck in her head every time she eats a PB&J sandwich!). Her HIV/AIDS Awareness work through FYSOP has continued with the Boston/NY AIDS Ride and she also went on to organize the first BU team of both riders and crew members to participate in the 3-day ride, the largest AIDS fundraiser in the world. And after this year's ride (which was in the middle of a hurricane), she says that she wouldn't have even considered trading the 2 virtuously sleepless nights in soggy underwear for any other experience.

This year, she started a community service group called Students of Service (SOS). For the past two years, she has worked at the Office of Alumni Relations where she manages databases, alumni communications and account paperwork for the Regional Clubs division. In her spare time, she loves to draw or photograph the wacky little moments in life and to escape she loves to watch the river from the Esplanade (hey-the Charles LOOKS clean as long as you don't get too close!).

People look at all the vowels and get confused, but "JiYeon" is actually pronounced "Gee-on," similar to "neon." Currently, JiYeon is the Senate Chairperson of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Student Union. If you ever had a problem with teaching fellows, finding a study room, looking for old tests for your classes, learning about scholarships for continuing students, or were even thinking that your books were too expensive last semester, she's the person to talk to. JiYeon is working with administrators and faculty on solutions to problems of language barriers and lack of teaching ability in teaching fellows, and also helped start a web site listing scholarship information for continuing BU students. She is involved in a Book Advisory Committee that will be working with Barnes and Nobles and Boston University administrators concerning book prices and putting up book information on-line for students. An ever-expanding test file is currently in the Student Union office (GSU basement), and is available as a study resource of old tests that students can use for their classes. JiYeon hopes to continue to talk with students and help take problems into solutions as a member of BeUnderstood, the slate that stands for change!

Ben comes from Yarmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod (yes, people do live there year round), but that doesn't stop him from keepin' it real. He is the current President of RHA at 1019, and helps keep the locals from rioting with events such as "Frank, the Finals Stress Relief Massage Therapist", "The Roommate Game", and the 2nd annual 1019 vs. Hamilton House paintball challenge. During his time with the RHA he has built several relationships within the administration, and plans to continue this trend as VP of Student Affairs. As a member of the Student Union E-Board, Ben wants to deal with the problems confronting under-funded student groups, establishing a strong working relationship between the Union and the 300-plus groups on campus, bringing the concerns of all students to the attention of the administration, and building a genuine community on campus. Ben has gained valuable experience working for Sen. Edward Kennedy, where he is primarily in charge of keeping track of Ted's pants, but also works on issues concerning housing, energy, and veteran's affairs.

Matt hails from Queens, New York, where he acquired his loud & obnoxious accent and intense passion for bagels and pizza. He is a third generation BU student and hopes to one day rule the world. When he's not ranting about politics, music and culture, he's busy working in London, England for the British Parliament. He has worked extensively with the Residence Hall Association, most notably as President of 1019 RHA where he arranged a Dinner with the Deans, a trip to New York City and has brought enough "flava" to the scene to make even George Clinton proud.

His ideas for VP of Residence Life range from a re-examination of the current guest policy, building a stronger relationship with the BUPD and the Student Escort Service, and establishing a broader RHA Forum. He also aspires to bridge the gap between the administration and the students, to address problems more directly, so that all students can be heard and BeUnderstood. Specifically, Matt wants to arrange a monthly "Quality of Life Forum" in each residence hall with the respective hall directors. This forum would address issues regarding housing and residence life of each resident who attends. Matt also wants to see campus wide "Olympics", an "east meets west" fund-raiser, and a Residence Life website where the students can address any questions and problems directly to him.

This past year, Anoli was a Co-coordinator for Danielsen's Fall Welcome. Encouraging new and returning students to develop community, Anoli organized and hosted activities including the Freshman "Get-to-Know-You" event, a trip to a Red Sox game, and participation in campus wide events. This position allowed Anoli to meet and cultivate relationships with a number of BU students. "This was one of the many amazing experiences I've had at BU." In addition, as president of Danielsen's RHA, she continues to represent the needs of Danielsen's residents. She finds this her most awarding experience thus far.

Outside of the Student Union, Dan instructs Power Volleyball for the Physical Education Department, has officiated Intramural basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball. And, he feels the FYSOP love, both as a team member and a team leader in his sophomore year. Check back here, at our web page (whoride.com/beunderstood), for an explanation of his favorite color and make sure to ask him about his tattoo! Dan's favorite professor at Boston U. is Professor Ken Lane. "This guy just opened his mouth and spewed Greek all over the blackboard. It was terrifying! Then, as the semester went on, we learned to understand all the symbols and realized that Lane was simply challenging us to the max. That little man, with the Boston accent that made us shit our pants on the first day, had earned out utmost respect and admiration by the end. Now, I am at the halfway point through this journey, and I have learned how to step up my game and push myself to get my shit done."

"Go ahead, tell me I can't fly."
-Michael Jordan