Kirby strong candidate for president

Change is an important idea, especially on college campuses. Most students would say their time at the University changed their lives in many ways. Some would say the University had such a profound change on their lives that they left as different people, with new goals and direction. Since change is so important to students, and our lives are changing so much, it is only logical to think change is warranted in the student government.

SGA terms last only one year, to allow for administrations to change regularly - but some say so much change is needed that an entirely new person should arise who has no experience in student government. Change is good, but not for its own sake.

In this year's presidential election, the choice is clear - someone who has worked in the SGA for most of his collegiate career versus "the change," someone who has no experience in the SGA. To quote Aldous Leonard Huxley, "Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him." In my time in the SGA, I have worked extensively with Cason Kirby. Let me share what he has done with what has happened to him.

I met Cason our freshman year in an Alabama politics class in which I realized he possessed a passion for public service - something necessary for a job where you are largely overworked and tremendously underpaid. I recall his first campaign on campus for SGA Senate, which he won and went on to become secretary of the Senate. During his time in the legislative body, he worked assiduously to ensure records were accurately kept and the work of the Senate was available to all students through the Web site. Even though he was not an executive, he could be seen late in the Ferguson Center working hard - a practice he continues to keep.

Our sophomore year, he was elected vice president for Student Affairs, often considered the most under-appreciated position in Student Government. As VP of Student Affairs, he oversaw one of the largest subset of programs in SGA.

One of the first projects the SGA began pursuing during his tenure was reviewing the recent Strip report and issuing another report, which better represented student opinion. Cason was integral to this project, serving on the committee as an ex-officio member and assisting in the compilation of the final report.

Another major student concern that occurred during Cason's tenure was the crisis of student safety. Several incidents of break-ins and assaults in the near-campus housing area galvanized students into awareness of the concerns of living away from home. The SGA and the Office of Student Affairs worked on the forefront ensuring students practiced safe living habits. Cason coordinated the issuing of literature to the entire off-campus housing community in only 48 hours.

Many of Cason's other initiatives worked toward the safety of students, including the implementation of the 348-CAB9 system allowing students to secure a reputable cab for a flat rate by dialing only one number. Cason also worked with on-campus transportation for the expansion of the service hours of the 348-RIDE system, which has always been a trademark safety measure at our university. He was instrumental in creating a self-defense class for students that could count as course credit so no one had to remain powerless against attackers.

Moreover, he has worked to allow Dining Dollars to be accepted at all athletic events. He has also greatly increased the number of ACT card readers present at these events to ensure quick and efficient entry.

In short, friends, I understand the desire and need for change during this turbulent time in our lives. I simply ask that we not indulge change for the sake of it and instead look at the records of service and success. With that in mind, I am confident you will choose the person most able to serve as head of your government.

Jesse Woods is the chairman for the SGA Senate External Affairs Committee and is an SGA senator for the College of Engineering