Steven Petric’s decision to end his campaign Monday makes the composition of the Associated Student Government race for student services vice president similar to last year, with two ASG insiders and a student group leader vying for the post.

Courtney Brunsfeld, student services vice president, said the job requires organizational skills and the will to reflect student opinion in pursuing projects.

“Student services is a lot of ways a juggling act because you deal with a lot of important issues,” said Brunsfeld, a Weinberg junior. “A person in this position also must maintain working relationships with administrators.”

Berry: Branching Out

The motivation for Tiffany Berry to run for student services vice president came from a desire at the beginning of the year to try getting involved in activities outside of Northwestern’s black community, something she hadn’t done since serving as ASG senator her freshman year.

“Not all issues are centered around race,” said Berry, a Weinberg junior. “African Americans eat in the same dining halls, live in the same dorms and take the same classes. I can serve a wider variety of people.”

But reflecting her involvement as FMO treasurer her sophomore year and the group’s coordinator this year, Berry places a heavy emphasis on advancing multicultural issues in her platform. She said she hopes to plan a social event during New Student Week that would bring cultural and religious groups together with students across campus.

“When students go into a class like Asian-American history for the first time, it can be a shock because it will introduce students to cultures they’re not used to,” Berry said. “Such an event would eliminate those tensions.”

Berry also said campus tours should be expanded to include the Black House and the Multicultural Center.

Hoping to improve what she calls the lack of a student voice on campus, Berry said her role as a student group leader makes her sensitive to the need for student input into administrative decisions.

“As a student group leader, there is nothing more frustrating than sitting in an administrator’s office, being asked what students want and not knowing the answer,” said Berry, adding she would widely advertise student-faculty committees and use online tools to gauge student opinion.

Carson Kuo, a campaign manager for Berry and former ASG financial vice president, said serving on the ASG Executive Board allowed him to see what works and what does not.

“I’ve seen the good and the bad,” said Kuo, an Education senior. “I see qualities a successful student services vice president needs in Tiffany.”

Keeley: Practical Projects

Two projects that Public Affairs Residential College Sen. Eileen Keeley said she would emphasize if elected are campus safety and access for the handicapped to university buildings and areas.

“An issue (the committee) hit the most brick-walls with is improving the shuttle service,” Keeley said.

According to Keeley, NU is behind most other universities in renovating buildings to make them more accessible to the handicapped.

“A student should not say they are not going to Northwestern just because they cannot be part of the community,” she said.

“I want more involvement and there are issues that (still) need to be addressed that continue to hit brick walls,” said Keeley, a Weinberg sophomore. “I see things that could be improved in practical ways.”

Even though she’s been a senator since only last spring, Keeley said she would not be overwhelmed by the task of overseeing the Student Services Committee, which can have as many as 20 members.

Willard Residential College Sen. Joe Curnow said Keeley is passionate about taking on projects and accomplishing them.

“Eileen busted her butt to get stuff done,” said Curnow, who served with her on the Student Services Committee. “She talked to the right people.”

Lake: putting the student in services

College Democrats Sen. Jason Lake said he would work to increase student input in policies implemented by the Student Services Committee.

“I’m focused on students: it’s not ‘administrator services’,” said Lake, a Weinberg sophomore. “If students don’t know what ASG is doing, then we’re doing something wrong.

“(ASG) doesn’t necessarily represent all the students, (so) I would like more non-senators on all the committees,” he said.

Improving service at Searle Student Health Service, adding more campus lighting, expanding the shuttle and escort services and increasing attendance to the ASG’s Spring Break trip are all areas on which Lake said he would focus his efforts.

“The Spring Break trip to the Bahamas was not successful,” Lake said. “Students should actively participate in the choice of the annual destination through surveys.”

Working with the Student Services Committee, Lake helped initiate the creation of an online dorm evaluation system, nicknamed DTECs, which he said would aid students in the housing selection process.

Reducing printing fees and getting free admission to Chicago museums and attractions have been part of past campaigns, and Lake said he would continue to focus on these if elected.

Shepard Residential College Sen. Asiya Bari, described Lake as being persistent.

“If you don’t work for students, then I don’t know why you’re (a part of ASG),” Lake said.