With the Student Association Election coming up on the 19th and 20th, we asked the candidates about their perspective on progressive causes in and around campus, and what they could do in their position. Here are the answers we found most interesting or enlightening:

Nick Gumas - SA President

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
Yes I am a progressive. Growing up in New York City, I was fortunate enough to be exposed to a diversity of ideas and people. I went to public high school with kids who had reduced-cost or free lunch. I worked in an alternative-prison drug rehab program in the NY District Attorney's Office. I went to the UN school for elementary and middle school. I also am gay.  All of these experiences all helped shape my political and world view.

Being a progressive means understanding the concept of privilege and recognizing that most people who are privileged are so because they were lucky enough to have opportunities that not are universally available. Republicans like to tout personal responsibility and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, but progressivism is all about creating equal opportunity for all individuals, so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
I believe that I have already demonstrated myself to be a strong progressive in the SA. For example, I wrote nondiscrimination language into our bylaws to allow the SA to financially penalize organizations that discriminate or haze. Going forward, I will focus my advocacy efforts on improving the quality of mental health services and continuing to advocate for progressive social change on campus. The SA President has a large platform from which to advocate and I intend to use it routinely.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
Yes of course. I think a budget is a representation of a value system and right now, our values are messed up. We should focus our resources into student support services and efforts to promote academic excellence – the two basic responsibilities of any university.

Is college affordability an important issue to you? How will you work to increase accessibility to our GW education?
I think the best way to approach reducing the cost for students is tackling housing rates. If the University is going to mandate that third year students live on campus, it is only fair that the revenue from the mandate goes directly back into lowering housing rates and improving the quality of the residence halls. I fully support and intend to continue Julia’s advocacy on flattening housing rates over students’ four years at GW and increasing the number of options available to students by creating a price differentiation by room type.

Omeed Firouzi - Undergrad-at-large Senator

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
I do identify as a progressive. For me, the term means believing in the ability and activism of government, as fueled by the collective action and will of the people, to proactively improve the lives, working conditions, economic well-being, and prosperity of its citizens. Further, being a progressive means believing in core principles of social and economic justice and equal rights, concepts that the government should pursue. What led to my current beliefs is a mix of my life experience, my family history, the influence of my parents, and my study of history and politics. My parents, both very progressive, taught me to believe that it should be the mission of government to help the plight of the poor, to build schools, construct highways, and generally improve life for all people -- to be compassionate, essentially. I've also seen in my life the benefits of compassionate government as my mom was a recipient of political asylum from the U.S. government, my dad has been able to help a lot of veterans as a doctor at the VA Hospital, and both of my parents have met many patients of theirs who have benefited from the consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act.

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
In the time I've been in the SA, I have already used my position to advocate for progressive policy change on campus. For instance, my most significant achievements include writing a resolution recommending that GW adopt the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's "shopping sheet" to allow students and families to compare and contrast different financial aid options in full transparency. Consequently, GW adopted the shopping sheet. Beyond this accomplishment, I worked closely with Nick Gumas to expand protections against discrimination for LGBT students, to reform sexual assault policy, and to create a centralized online housing resource for students to rectify their situation if they believe their housing rights were violated. Next year, I hope to work my SA position to make it easier for survivors of sexual assault to utilize their friends to testify on their behalf, if they so wish, to the board in front of which they appear, to ease the transition of the UCC and SHS to campus, to enforce anti-discrimination efforts in housing and student organizations, and to convince GW to ban selling products made in sweatshops.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
I do support such changes as long as they are transparent, progressive, and go towards real revitalization that benefits all, not just some, District residents.

Do you support living wage minimum standards for GW employees and contracted workers?
I absolutely support living wage minimum standards for GW employees and contracted workers. That's why I've worked with the PSU and Roosevelt Institute to promote petitions, in my capacity as GW College Democrats president, that seek to improve such standards. I will address this issue through legislation if necessary next year. If there is clear evidence that GW employees and contracted workers are not receiving living wage minimum standards or otherwise believe their rights are being violated, I will do all I can to utilize my position as a senator to help them.

Zachary Graybill - SEAS Undergrad Senator

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
Yes, to me a progressive is someone who is not content with the status quo. A progressive always feels we could make things better and ttys to do so. Someone who believes that while the world might never be completely fair or just those are no reasons to not try and make it so.

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
I will pressure administration where necessary to move forward on progressive causes on campus. I will also cultivate people and ideas that move the university in a progressive direction and foster progressive ideas that will help the city.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
Yes, What it the point of a large pool of money if we don't use it. I support the university reorienting its spending priorities to development of the local community.

How would you advocate for greater university transparency, especially related to the disclosing of data that shows GW’s impact on the wider DC community?
If the university is sitting on data that describes our impact on the community then lobbing efforts and pressuring is the best approach. If this data currently doesn't exist then it should be gathered, as a member of the SA I would support more studies of the impact GW has in the Foggy Bottom area and beyond.

Kyle Hanna - ESIA Undergrad Senator

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
Mostly definitely. I would like to be known as the progressive candidate. I believe a progressive candidate runs on a platform that is aligned with his or her convictions on social issues. My platform is led my multicultural representation, female empowerment and expand student resources. These focal points have come campaigns I have pushed in the past and things I have observed since being at GW.   

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
Well my premiere platform would be to rally change in the SA, by introducing bills that echo the progressive voices of students on campus. However, to keep the pressure on, I would work closely with student groups, using them to market my message throughout the student body.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
I do. As a recent transfer, I think more of the endowment should be reinvested into student scholarships and the non academic infrastructure on campus. Building like the MSSC that are suppose to be critical centers for diversity have been left unrenovated for far too long.

Do you support living wage minimum standards for GW employees and contracted workers?
Yes, I come from parents that relied on unions that provided livable wages to take care of my brother and sister, while putting me through college. This initiative is very personal and I would advocate on the behalf of GW employees and non GW employees for this to come to fruition.

Jesse Lederman - CCAS Undergrad Senator

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
I have identified as a progressive from as early on as I can remember identifying with a social/political standpoint. For me, being a progressive means having a passion for social justice, equality, fairness, responsibility, and an eye towards the future. More importantly, it is harnessing that passion to organize or otherwise work for change in what I view as a society that is in many ways socially unjust, unequal, unfair, lacking in responsibility, and short sighted - but always operating with a strong belief that with work all things can be changed.

I attribute my beliefs to my upbringing and environment. The son of a hardworking and socially conscious single mother, I was raised in a diverse urban environment and from an early age had the opportunity to be involved in community activism which instilled in me a sense of community responsibility.

I got my start as a social justice organizer battling with a coalition against a waste incinerator in my hometown. We won that fight, and during that time I recognized the legislative process as an effective tool for change. I went on to work for progressive local and statewide candidates in various professional capacities, including as a Field Organizer on the campaign staff of Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey.

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?  
One of my main platform points is student rights. If elected to the Student Association I will develop a campaign in collaboration with UPD, EMeRG, Housing, and Student Rights and Responsibilities to inform students of their rights when interacting with those departments. I believe that there is currently a disconnect between these departments and the average GW student which is the result of students general lack of knowledge of their rights when engaging with these departments. This leads to a distrust between the student body and these departments, which prevents students from taking advantage of the services available to them, and also prevents the departments from functioning effectively or in good faith.

I support more student orgs devoted to non-profit work and community service, and will encourage those organizations to apply for funding from the SA, and to come before the SA for co-sponsorships in regards to events geared towards community and campus service.

I also recognize that as a Senator many issues will come before us that are not necessarily reflected in my own platform, but I will always be receptive to progressive causes which appear before the SA, and will be proud to spearhead and work alongside those that are within my power and responsibility as a Senator. As I do in all capacities, I will be listening to all proposals with a progressive ear.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
Yes. I believe that as students with the privilege of attending GW and as a University which benefits greatly from the resources and location of Washington D.C. we have a responsibility to this city and community.

I also believe that as a University we should proceed in all endeavors as equal community partners, ensuring that we always have the support and guidance of the local community in order to ensure that our endeavors are beneficial.

Is college affordability an important issue to you? How will you work to increase accessibility to our GW education?
In the wake of GW’s admissions scandal in November, I asked Associate Provost for Enrollment Management Laurie Koehler during questioning by the Senate what GW needed to do to move towards a need blind admission policy. She told me we needed to substantially grow the endowment fund. I believe we can take steps towards growing the endowment fund and make the statement that GW is a place for every student of merit, no matter their financial background.

This is a huge goal, and is by no means one that will be accomplished in one Senate term, or even in four years at GW. But the sooner we start working on big goals, the closer we are to accomplishing them. Few institutions of higher education are truly need blind, but I believe that GWU should be one of them. We say that at GW what we make is history, I want to ensure that that history is inclusive, well rounded, and representative of our country.

Victoria Goncalves - CCAS Undergrad Senator

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
As a senator, I will be a progressive advocate for all students. I will focus my efforts in three areas of student life that I believe need to be improved: affordability, diversity and student resources. I think that we need to have a serious conversation about the economic disparity that is present on this campus and I will work hard to foster that dialogue and come up with solutions to the problems that arise. I also believe that as a student body, we need to be affecting change throughout the city. I think that student's at GW tend to stay in the foggy bottom, or when they do go off campus, they go to capitol hill, georgetown and dupont. I think that if the SA had more events like MLK Day of service, where students can be exposed to the less affluent parts of Washington, then students will understand the need to positively affect change in the city.  

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
Yes, I believe that we need to change our investment priorities to serve the greater Washington DC community. I also believe that we need to divest from fossil fuels.

Is college affordability an important issue to you? How will you work to increase accessibility to our GW education?
Yes, affordability is one of the three main tenets of my platform.

As a Senator I will work to:

1.Address an economic barrier that prevents students from attending various events on campus and highlights the economic disparities that are often overlooked on campus by proposing a Student Activities fund.

2.Work to provide new initiative to lowering the costs of books for students by proposing a book cap that would limit the total amount that a professor can require a student to spend on books and technology for a class. I would also look into setting up a Book Swap where students would be able to turn in used books in exchange for other ones.

3.Work with the administration to try to expand the Student internship fund which provides a stipend to low-income students so that they can take advantage of the amazing internship opportunities available to GW students.

William Block - CCAS Undergrad Senator

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
I absolutely identify as a progressive. Being a progressive means looking towards the future and not reminiscing in history or rewriting an idealized past that never existed, as the right often does. My progressive values are ingrained with the belief that every single person deserves a fair shot at life, and that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. This necessitates a strong social safety net, a single payer healthcare system, accessible and world-class education for all, and so much more. A progressive vision is something that generation after generation we will always work for. As a progressive, I recognize that improvement is always possible, and through forward-looking policies we can better our communities and society as a whole.  

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
The Student Association has the ability and to articulate and push for progressive change at GW, but at the moment lacks the will. The SA is in a unique position, because although it's power may be limited, it has the eyes and ears of President Knapp, the Board of Trustees, and the Hatchet and other local news outlets. Therefore, I will introduce resolutions advocating for forward-thinking policies, such as fossil fuel divestment, greater sustainability initiatives, workers rights and livable wages for university and contracted employees, and more. As an economic powerhouse in Washington, DC., GW has a responsibility to act equitably and improve the lives of all residents in the district. The SA and allied organizations such as the Roosevelt Institute have the means raise awareness and organize campaigns around these issues and bring about meaningful change.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
There are multiple changes that need to be made in GW's investment strategy in order to promote our values and increase equality. Firstly, there needs to be much greater transparency with the university's assets and investments. I will call on the Chief Investment Officer to release full disclosures of the allocation of our endowment. Secondly, the university should fully divest from fossil fuel companies, and should invest significant sums of money through community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in order to support local smart development.


Is college affordability an important issue to you? How will you work to increase accessibility to our GW education?
College affordability is a very important issue. I feel extremely fortunate for all of the blessings I have received in my life, and I think that it's unfair that everyone doesn't get to have the same opportunities that I've had. Unfortunately, we seem to be living in a Tale of Two GWs. On one hand, many students have great sums of disposable income, are able to take advantage of all of the opportunities that the school and the city have to offer, and not once have to worry about how they'll pay their tuition, pay for food, pay for student health, pay for printing, pay for supplies, etc... On the other hand, there are many lower-income students who don't get to take advantage of everything the school has to offer because of prohibitive prices, and who struggle to afford tuition as it is, let alone all of the extra fees the school adds on for printing, textbooks, food, and other necessities. Sadly, the administration seems to frequently forget about students who don't come from elite backgrounds. I know that I personally can not stand to sit idly by as an entire group of students is forgotten by bureaucrats. If elected, I will start by pushing simple initiatives in affordability, such as 500 pages of free printing per semester, which comparable (and cheaper) schools already offer, and a Student Activities Fund to make events and #OnlyatGW experiences more accessible to lower class students. This whole semester, we heard students complain about the distance of student health services, but not once did anyone mention the price. I will pressure student health and launch a campaign to compel it to accept health insurance plans so that getting sick doesn't break the bank. Overall, there is so much more that the administration could be doing to make a GW education more accessible and affordable, so now the onus is on the students to raise awareness about the issue and put pressure on the university.

Henry Klapper - CCAS Undergrad Senator

Do you identify as a progressive? If so, what does that term mean to you? If not, how do you identify? What led to your current beliefs?
I am a progressive, in fact am so far left that I am a communist! I believe that all people are equal and we must secure a socio-cultural system in which we preserve the human rights accorded to each individual and the collective state as a whole!

How will you work, through your Student Association position, to advocate for progressive policy change on campus, and in Washington, DC?
I intend to institute many reforms that will bring about more egalitarianism. I intend to build worker student unity through a special committee and I intend to to push for our bookstore to sell only union made goods, along with introduce a book swap sponsored by the SA so students will not have to spend so much on required materials for their classes.

Do you support changes to GW’s investment priorities (endowment, cash on hand) to favor greater community revitalization?
Absolutely. GW is one of the richest and largest private institutions in Washington DC, therefore it must play an active role in community development. Oil divestment money should flow into the poorer wards of DC thus revitalizing the local economy.  

Do you support living wage minimum standards for GW employees and contracted workers?
Absolutely I do. I think that the "minimum wage," is a mockery and insult to the working class, let alone an injustice. I attended rally in DC for higher minimum wage for restaurant workers and others. Our school, and certainly the administration/management can more than afford to treat our workers with justice and respect.

Our members watched the State of the Union last night together. Here are some of their thoughts:

"While I was pleased to hear the announcement of an increase in minimum wage for federally contracted workers through an executive order, President Obama must also put in place limitations on the payrolls of corporate executives, which will hold them accountable for funneling taxpayer money into their own pockets. That sort of change will not come from the corporate-controlled White House, so progressives must shift their focus to the grassroots, bottom-up approach."
--Yasemin Ayarci, Chapter President (@DCyasemin)

"Watching the webcast with the corresponding graphs and diagrams, I was glad to see more substantive policy and slightly less rhetoric than past addresses, but some statements on progressive causes still felt shallow. On education, I was very happy to see the backing of a pre-K expansion, but dismayed at the few new ideas presented on improving college affordability." 
--David Meni, Vice President (@TheDavidMeni)

"Any congressional action this year on issues progressives care about will depend on passage in the Republican-controlled House. Last night’s speech sought important solutions to our upward mobility crisis once popular with conservatives: education reform, job training, infrastructure, and a tax overhaul. Despite many important issues left unmentioned, the solutions proposed to reduce inequality may have the support necessary get through the lower chamber--and a chance at helping alleviate the many structural economic challenges too many Americans face." 
--Zach Komes, Policy Director (@ZachKomes)

"Another beautifully crafted address by President Obama but as a Progressive, I found alarming the lack of any mention about unchallenged rape endemic in the military & his comments on foreign policy were largely anodyne. In fact, the 'Pivot to Asia' was notably absent, unless this is effectively his apparent support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. On that note, I wonder when Obama will elucidate the opaque contents of the TPP treaty." 
--Francisco Alvarez, Energy and Environment Policy Center Member (@F_J_Alvarez)

"I felt that the President's agenda was too broad and scattered to achieve all, or even most, of the goals that he put forth. If he devoted more effort to a single issue and made that the single crusade of the year, it would have a better chance of actually leading to real, measurable good."
--Matthew Kasturas, Freshman Representative

"While I enjoyed President Obama’s encouraging overall tone about the importance of increasing opportunities for all Americans, I found some of his policy suggestions to be a little vague. For example, although the broad idea of gun control was mentioned, specifics about his gun control platform weren't present, which is disappointing considering the amount of school shootings that have taken place in the last month alone."
--Kinjo Kiema, Freshman Representative (@Captain_Kinj)

"I thought President Obama’s speech had several strong, substantive policy proposals. However, I sincerely hope that his 'All of the Above' energy policy prioritizes renewable sources such as solar and wind, and does not include the Keystone XL Pipeline."
--Eric Wolfert, Outreach Director (@EricWolfert93)

What did you think of the #SOTU? Comment below and let us know your perspective!