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The West Georgian and Fred Curtis
The West Georgian: What is your major and year?
Fred Curtis: Political science and [I’m] a sophomore.
TWG: What do you believe your role as president requires?
Curtis: My role as president requires me to be the voice for the student body and to always do my best. [The Student Government Association] does its best for the student body, along with Dr. Sethna. If there is something going on to affect the student body then my job is to let them know about it, along with the administration.
TWG: Why do you feel that you are the right person for this position?
Curtis: I feel that I am the right person for a number of reasons. I have been involved with
SGA for two years now and [I have] attended the university for two years…Immediately when I got here I became involved with campus activities. So I know how things work.
I guess you can use the word “experienced.” I am not big on that word, but if the students are looking for experience than I am the person to vote for. Secondly, leadership in SGA has been good, but we can do better. I think I can put more emphasis on the student’s needs and wants. I can make sure their voices are continuously heard. Like I said, the students are the ones taken into account in every situation. [Those are] just a few reasons why I am the right person for the job.
TWG: What are your plans, if elected?
Curtis: One of my plans is just to be sure that there is more student involvement. I can’t stress that enough. [I’m not emphasizing] ….going around making too many melodious campaign promises, because there is so much that this job entails. Also, there are so many avenues to go through.
Something I would like to see done is [for] more organizations on campus to receive their own office space. We have already been talking with Mark Reeves of Auxiliary Services, but of course, this is a long-term project. My idea for that is to take the gymnasium and convert some of its unused space into offices for organizations. This would require a lot of work with fixing flooring and a number of different things to make it a success. Again, it is a long-term project and I can’t promise anything.
If elected president, I can promise that I will do my best. I also can’t stress enough for student involvement. It is the only way to take this university to a higher level.
TWG: What are your greatest weakness?
Curtis: I struggle a little bit with delegation sometimes. I like to do everything myself. I am very independent with getting the job done... That is something I have to change, not only for presidency position, but throughout life in general.
You’re always going to need people in whom you can trust in, believe in and to get the job done. Which is why I chose my vice-presidential candidate, Mykeia Lencerot. She has been a wonderful asset to student government. …I have nullified [my greatest weakness] with my V.P. selection.
TWG: How do you plan to connect with the student body?
Curtis: Well, one thing I want to do is to put out a weekly SGA newsletter to make sure the students know about scheduled meeting and stuff the administration has done. If things are more public, then more students would attend SGA meetings to get more information about our campus.
Also, I would sponsor events. Not just government types of events, but [events] as simple as game nights, community nights or other events of that nature. Anything that brings the student body together.
I would have more publicity surrounding SGA. We used to have SGA meeting signs up around campus. I am not sure what happened with that, but I will definitely re-amplify that if I shall become president. These are just a few starting, foundational aspects to get students more involved.
TWG: If elected, what changes or improvements would you like to see implemented?
Curtis: I would like to see more student involvement. A lot of emphasis is placed on athletics in terms of making this a destination university. I love the athletics program and I think we have a great [one].
Also, a new, wonderful football complex which is great, but I would like to see more emphasis on academics and social life within the university, when it comes to making us a destination university. We can have more events on the weekend to focus more on social activities. This way, students would stay on campus more during the weekend, so they can immerse themselves into the university and into the community. Students will have a much better connection within the university.
TWG: What issue(s) on campus would you, if elected, focus on the most?
Curtis: I can’t particularly point out one issue, but what we have been doing the last few weeks is meeting with a lot of people and speaking with them to see exactly what it is that they want and need. We are not going to go into this new administration with our own agenda. Our agenda will be the students’ agenda. We will comprise together what we know and what students truly need. Our office will reflect what the students truly feel needs to be changed now and in the future.
TWG: If elected, how will you handle the university’s budget crisis?
Curtis: It is a sensitive issue. It is hard to comment on that, because even Dr. Sethna has no control over this issue. So, I don’t want to play any political games and say we can do this or that, because honestly all we can do is contact our local legislature for change. We can inform them, tell them how displeased we are with their choices, and tell them they don’t have our vote. I can’t truly say I have a plan…We did have a phonathon to the legislature and that is the most we can do. However, we will continue to challenge them and even try other demonstrations to get their attentions.
TWG: What do you feel makes you stand out above the other candidates?
Curtis: I feel like more people have seen me and connected with me. With that said, I can relate more to certain individuals. [As far as] proposed budget cuts [go], I am a Political Science major and there are five majors in the Arts and Sciences department that, if a budget cut happens, will possibly be cut from the university. There are rumors that my major could be one, but I don’t know this factually. I am also student assistant so I am in a position to lose my job and my major in the next four months. However, we are hoping for the best and I think that is what makes me stand out above the other candidate. …Being involved early allowed me to meet some wonderful students, faculty and administrators. That is not a usual factor you see in any other candidate and is what puts me above them. If elected, I believe I can truly make a difference for the University of West Georgia and the students.
The West Georgian and Sean Lindo
The West Georgian: What is your major and year?
Sean Lindo: Computer science, May ’11.
TWG: What do you believe your role as President requires?
Lindo: A president must above all else, trust. The president of SGA cannot be expected to run the senate and accomplish goals in a timely manner if he acts alone. A strong connection must be established with the rest of the executive council and leaders of the senate at the very least. I believe in the idea of a strong and cohesive leadership; therefore, I am running on a ticket that features a strong executive council. We are working together to capture the election, and when elected, we will work together for the students.
TWG: Why do you feel that you are the right person for this position?
Lindo: Over the past year, I have acquired a very specific set of tools necessary for success. Communications is one of my stronger skills, and one I exercise with great frequency. I have also served the student body in several different capacities: Computer Science teaching assistant, Resident Peer Mentor, Multicultural Achievement Program mentor, President of UNTAMED, and a member of numerous important committees. It is important to include this service record to indicate I have led UWG from a variety of perspectives. My SGA service record shows that I will attack issues with vigor and bring home results. I have helped fight and win themed UWG street signs, upgraded campus internet, and improved myUWG e-mail support.
TWG: What are your plans if elected?
Lindo: Our first act as elected representatives will be to strengthen the infrastructure of SGA. Strict expectations will be laid out for everyone on the senate, including ourselves. Accountability will become a common term and we will practice self governing to ensure only the dedicated serve on SGA. In spite of the budget crises, we will identify several areas of improvement for UWG, set quantifiable goals, and begin work immediately. Due to the nature of recent events, a majority of these goals will focus on problems introduced by the impending budget cuts.
TWG: What is your greatest weakness?
Lindo: I am the most detailed oriented person and I paint myself as a “big picture” thinker. I have learned to work with people that are better at focusing on day-to-day operations and small details than I am. My choice of Quin Roberts as vice-president is an excellent illustration of choosing complementary personnel.
TWG: How do you plan to connect with the student body?
Lindo: My experience at serving students at UWG will help immensely at times we need to reach out. Aside from face to face conversations and focus groups, I plan on using The West Georgian and UTV to help communicate with students. The media is much better at reaching a large audience than we are, and it would be pointless to “reinvent the wheel” when we already have excellent resources at hand.
TWG: If elected, what changes or improvements would you like to see implemented?
Lindo: I will realistically push UWG closer to a destination university in a variety of ways. While vague, making Carrollton into a more college friendly town is high on the list. The street signs were a good first step, but much more needs to be done in order to capture the community’s mindshare and our own students’ imaginations. There are ninth grade students down the street at Carrollton High School that show more pride in their school than many of ours, and that absolutely must change.
TWG: What issue(s) on campus would you, if elected, focus on the most?
Lindo: That is completely dependent on how the budget issue proceeds. If there is no favorable change in the situation we will have to focus on departmental efficiency and protect the institution’s core assets. The well being of students in the midst of a budget crisis will take precedence over any other administrations agenda. If these budget issues subside, see number seven.
TWG: If elected, how will you handle the universities budget crises?
Lindo: The answer is assuming the budget cut is already set and our appropriation has been handed down. As SGA president there is little I can do, except to open up channels of communications with those making the decisions and making sure the student’s voices are heard. The necessary reductions should be made carefully and with a degree of student input. I can provide leadership and reassurance, but I cannot work miracles.
TWG: What do you feel makes you stand out above the other candidates?
Lindo: I am almost 22 years old and will be entering my fifth and final year at UWG. I have not been a perfect student or a perfect man. However, I have literally grown up with this university and have realized my potential. My first year was our first year as Wolves, and Carrollton has felt like home ever since. I stand out above the other candidates because I have the strongest connection to this university, and it’s not up for debate.
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