Hey everyone! Thank you for checking out my linktree/website and my campaign agenda. My name is Ethan Schmitt (he/him/his), and I’m running to be one of your next Feb Senators. When approaching the complex question of what the student population desires most from the representatives they elect, I was able to devise the following three-step plan (with additional sub-categories) that I would hold to scrupulously if elected:
Authenticity!
First and foremost, on a moral level, I believe everyone (but especially elected officials!) should strive to be themselves. While there are many who struggle to balance the way they view themselves and the way they view the impressions they make on others, I believe that we will get the most out of life and our relationships with others if we believe in ourselves, regardless of the ways others view us. By this logic, you all have my commitment that, if elected, I’ll be the same version of myself every time you encounter me on/off campus, and online. Additionally, having struggled with my own personas in the past, I understand how strenuous of a process it is for one to become acquainted with others while trying to upkeep an ideal reputation. If anybody EVER needs someone to talk to about these stressful issues (or if you just need someone to talk to) please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly through any means necessary. This leads me to my next point, which is...
Accessibility!
Secondly, seeing as student government serves the purpose of connecting every student to the complex web of decisions being made across campus, I have decided to place extra emphasis on the issue of accessibility as I pursue this position. Far too often, candidates (ranging from middle school student government → the Presidency) make commitments without grappling with the dense issue of practicality, which, let’s be honest, plays a large role in the sedentary nature of many elected officials. That is why, as a Feb senator, my top priority would be to field the
needs and concerns of all of you, and subsequently follow-up on your proposals and seek out the best means of enacting them. It is because of this reason that, beyond a vague agenda (see below), I don’t plan on making any decisions on certain policies without a plurality of student support. That said, please flood my DMs or contact me any way you prefer to let me know what your greatest concerns are moving forward.
Advancement!
Last (but not least), I’ve decided to prioritize advancement to round out my “Triple-A” approach to this campaign. Of course, advancement may not occur on a level proportionate to the needs of students if students are hesitant to reach out and discuss the issues which must be addressed. That said, it is also my greatest priority to work to advance the goals of each class of Febs (as well as the whole student body), which is why I have also devised a basic list of subjects which I believe must be upheld from the get-go:
1. Inclusivity
a. Seeing as Middlebury is a diverse community with students representing a variety of ethnic backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, religions, gender identifications, and mental health disorders on the spectrum of neurodiversity, it is VERY important that we show each other the same amount of respect that we believe we’re entitled to ourselves. Along this point, this means we need to actively avoid employing tactics of discrimination against each other, and must also intervene (or tell a member of the faculty) if we witness the occurence of discrimination or violent behavior on campus. It is paramount that we work together, throughout this process, to make Midd the most inclusive community it can be!
2. Sustainability
a. Seeing as Midd is holistically committed to this issue (especially through the conversion of campus appliances to become 100% carbon neutral), it is the duty of the students to assist the Office of Sustainability Integration in achieving their goals on a perennial basis. This includes reducing our own carbon footprints, composting (whenever necessary), recycling, and cleaning up trash we see around campus. This also includes refraining from harming pre-existing apparati on campus meant to pursue sustainability. As a Vermont resident, I have a deep personal connection to the beautiful land that surrounds us, and would love to see our community continue to strive to protect it!
3. Honor Code
a. Finally, it remains pertinent to address the Midd Honor Code when identifying the non-negotiables. Plagiarism is bad! Don’t do it! And if you need help, please reach out to members of the faculty during office hours to solve any outstanding gaps in learning.
Thank You!
Beyond the basic subject-matters I addressed (which are prerequisites to campus wide advancement), I look forward to hearing from anyone and everyone who would like to reach out about any particular issue they find salient to the process of advancing the progress of our beloved Midd community. And, as I mentioned previously, I am always available to talk about anything on your minds! If you’re in a time crunch, stressed for other reasons, or if you’d just like to say hi, please never hesitate to reach out to me directly.
Copyright © 2021 Ethan Schmitt for Feb Senator - All Rights Reserved.
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