Not until Rahul Kalita found himself thousands of miles from Chicago did he discover his passion for Northwestern politics.
Kalita, a Weinberg junior was studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain, during the U.S. presidential election. The politically charged time made Kalita more interested in politics.
“Being in Spain, I saw there was a lot I could do as an individual,” Kalita said. “(Running for Associated Student Government president) is my way of making a difference in my community.”
Kalita returned to NU this winter and started looking into ASG and how it runs. In the months following his return, Kalita evaluated what ASG did for students. He found himself creating new ideas for the student government that are “concrete and feasible.”
On a bench outside the library, Kalita sat comfortably wearing a “Vote for Rahul” T-shirt. He listed his ideas for ASG improvement with ease: An off-campus housing Web site. A movie channel added to NUTV. Improving the online book exchange. The creation of quarterly forums to bring together student groups leaders, students and professors.
Kalita said he knows some may rush to label him “inexperienced” simply because he has never served on ASG. He is quick to tell them of his other leadership experience — emphasizing his term as president of Allison Hall last year.
“Allison has 355 residents, it’s a very diverse place,” Kalita said. “A dorm is a microcosm of a campus.”
As an outsider, Kalita can better evaluate room for change in ASG, said Andrew Bentley, Kalita’s campaign manager.
“He’s not going to be sidetracked by bureaucratic things or personal issues,” said Bentley, a Medill junior.
Alex McKenzie, a Communication junior, has worked as the treasurer under Kalita’s presidency in Allison. McKenzie is also president of Student Blood Services, where Kalita serves as treasurer.
“He’s a born leader,” she said. “On (the Allison) board there was a lot of tension. In meetings people would be yelling at each other and he was able to calm them down and give them a perspective on the situation.”
Kalita also stands out as someone who actually cares about the work he’s doing, said McKenzie.
She said some people at Student Blood Services participated for a resume padder, but not Kalita. Even before he joined the board McKenzie said Kalita donated blood during every drive.
Increasing voter turnout tops Kalita’s priorities for election day.
“My goal is to encourage people who don’t normally vote to vote,” Kalita said
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