Name: Connor Sullivan
School: College
Year: First
Major(s): Undeclared
Hometown: Gates Mills, OH
Housing: On Grounds, Watson
Activities: First Year Judiciary Committee Chair, Arts and Sciences Council First Year Representative, Cavalier Daily Life Columnist, University Democrats, Madison House Tutor, The Oculus Undergraduate Research Journal Editing and Formatting Committee Member, South Lawn Student Task Force
What makes you a competent and qualified candidate?
As the chair of the First Year Judiciary Committee, I have spent the past year as a non-voting member of the University Judiciary Committee, learning about the Committee's structure and function from the inside out and the top down.The time I have spent this year becoming familiar with the whole range of Committee activities through the entire trial process, from beginning to end, has given me an excellent perspective on the duties and responsibilities of a UJC judge
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the University and how would you use your office to deal with them?
Among the most pressing issues facing the University is the necessity of continuing our drive to support and expand the diversity of viewpoints represented within student institutions, something I would love to pursue next year for the UJC as a judge.
How will you maintain contact with your constituency and ensure transparency in your actions?
One of the problems with the UJC in our community is its relative lack of prominence.Many people are unfamiliar with the nature and purposes of the Committee. I would make every effort to increase the smooth flow of information between the Committee and the student body at large and expand the transparency which I think is so integral to our goal of student self- governance.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I decided to run for office because my experience with the Committee already has persuaded me that is among the most crucial aspects of our student experience, and that the resources it marshals are the best mechanism we have to preserve and promote the kind of community that I think we all want here at the University.I can only hope that I will be fortunate enough to lend my efforts to those of the dedicated and admirable judges I have come to know this year.
Name: Ellen D'Angelo
School: College
Year: Third
Major(s): Interdisciplinary and Government
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Housing: Off Grounds, 16th Street
Activities: UJC, Honor, Leadership Consultants
What makes you a competent and qualified candidate?
I have been with UJC since my first year as a first-year judge, and I am currently a counselor. Because of my experiences as a judge and a support officer, I have seen many issues develop, which the committee must address.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the University and how would you use your office to deal with them?
The University is facing issues of sexual assault and race that require further attention by UJC. The committee needs to address the possibility of a 'hate crimes' amendment and the place it may or may not have in the trial process. With regards to sexual assault, UJC needs to establish a stronger working relationship with other organizations, which are well versed in this matter. Finally, communication needs to be improved among student groups and between students and faculty and administrators. I will reach out to student organizations that overlap with UJC and administrators, who often work with the Committee.
How will you maintain contact with your constituency and ensure transparency in your actions?
I will establish more direct interaction between UJC and students by working proactively to educate the U.Va. community. In turn, students will be inherently more aware of the committee and its work. I also want to make information available to students regarding changes the committee is making.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I have become devoted to this Committee over the past three years, and I would like the opportunity to serve as a representative and implement policies that will work towards positive change, which reflects the student body's needs.
Name: Phil Aigrain
School: College
Year: Second
Major(s): Economics and Foreign Affairs
Hometown: New York, NY
Housing: Off Grounds
Activities: First-Year Judiciary Committee, IRO
What makes you a competent and qualified candidate?
I have lived in four different countries, studied many languages, and have moved eight times. As such, I am adaptable to any environment, I can think creatively and I have always been able to relate to different types of people. Traits like these are particularly useful to working in a crucial institution like the UJC. As a first-year judge, I found myself asking probing questions that other judges would not ask, and sought to create meaningful sanctions that went beyond the usual punishments.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the University and how would you use your office to deal with them?
Significant improvement must be made to insure that the Judiciary Committee is representative of the University it serves. I support reapportionment of elected representative seats so that the College has one extra UJC representative. I support diversity initiatives. I would seek to include a hate crime provision in the UJC framework.
How will you maintain contact with your constituency and ensure transparency in your actions?
College students will be able to e-mail me at any time, I will stay informed about current events in the university community, I will strive to keep abreast of public opinion and I will always keep informal channels open to discuss issues of relevance.
Why did you decide to run for office?
As a cornerstone of U.Va.'s renowned student self-governance, the UJC must uphold the highest levels of professional demeanor and inclusiveness. My background and experiences make me uniquely suited to that task.
Name: Raleigh Anne Blank
School: College
Year: Second
Major(s): History and Government
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Housing : Off Grounds, 15th Street
Activities: University Judiciary Committee (UJC), Madison House, University Guide Service (UGS)
What makes you a competent and qualified candidate?
Enthusiasm. Dedication. Experience.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the University and how would you use your office to deal with them?
Maintaining tradition. The university prides itself on student self governance, the idea that students create their own procedures and policies. I believe it is important to maintain the tradition of student participation in order to continue allowing students to voice their own opinions and dictate their own college experience.
How will you maintain contact with your constituency and ensure transparency in your actions?
Students deserve full access to governing organizations within the parameters of the organization's individual confidentiality policies. As an elected official, my actions will and should be public in nature. I am looking forward to finalizing the statistics program I have been creating for the Judiciary Committee in order to release information about trials to the University community.
Why did you decide to run for office?
My goal is "to leave this place not less, but greater, better and more beautiful that it was first transmitted to me." Running for UJC representative will give me the opportunity to leave the Committee better and greater for fellow and future students.
Name: Scott Jones
School: College
Year: Third
Major(s): American Politics
Hometown: Danville, VA
Housing: Off Grounds
Activities: University Judiciary Committee (two years)
What makes you a competent and qualified candidate?
For the last two years, I have been a counselor with the UJC and have seen extensive trial work, including working closely with students both before and after the trial. No other position on UJC has as close a relationship to the entire process as counselor.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the University and how would you use your office to deal with them?
Ensuring accused student's rights has to be paramount to all judges and trial chairs.Every student must be afforded the same rights and judges who ignore that fact cannot continue to serve.
How will you maintain contact with your constituency and ensure transparency in your actions?
I will advocate an open door policy for the UJC offices so that any student may feel free to stop by and ask questions whenever they arise. I also would advocate a more fair process by advocating the release of minimal information when students are convicted so that the student body can see what we are doing to protect them and the University community.
Why did you decide to run for office?
Working with accused students and student groups, I have seen several wrongs that need to be righted. Also, I feel my knowledge and experience will best serve the community as a representative to the Committee.
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