Class of 2027

Pronouns: He/Him

Hometown: Gurnee, Illinois

Major: Philosophy 

Additional Involvement: Phi Alpha Delta

What are some goals and/or initiatives you are excited to work on this term?: I have three initiatives that I would like to use as a starting point for my career in USG: better bathrooms, rape prevention/bystander training as a mandatory part of Greek life, and baby steps towards access to transgender health care through student health and the university health care systems. To elaborate on these, I'll go in order of my list. My idea for better bathrooms is specific to the main library but could be universal. The bathrooms in the 2-5th floor of the main library are honestly abhorrent, they need to be improved. To be frank, they're disgusting and could be a student health risk. It's unfair to the library studies graduate students who basically live in library and any other student who simply wants to use the restroom while they study. Bathrooms are such a basic necessity, but they often times fall short. My next point is more severe than my first, and it could be a slippery slope with the IFC. I am well aware that rape does not only occur within fraternities, however there is a precedent to be set. Greek life is not the social center of our campus, but they are still a large social group with influence to set a precedent about rape culture. There are a multitude of rape prevention certifications and education programs. We should research these, bring in experts, and determine which one is best suited for our students. I would like to incorporate this as a part of recruitment or some other time early in the Greek life year. I do unfortunately anticipate that there could be some pushback against this within the Greek community, we would need to consider an amicable way to introduce this. It is imperative for this to work that it is not punitive in any way, it should be firm but if the IFC feels attacked no one will listen, and it will get nowhere. My final starting proposal is personal to me. I believe health care is a human right and this should extend to transgender people without a doubt. Full access to gender affirming healthcare will be a long-term goal. This would take a great deal of collaboration with the hospital systems and experts outside the university. I, as a transgender person, have a great deal of insight into this topic, and if this project were to occur, I would like to have a high up leadership role in it because of my firsthand experience. I am more than glad to write up a brief research report on any of these proposals, and I would be more than happy to collaborate with any committee who wants to take my projects and talk in person.