After hundreds of meetings with students, administrators or a combination of both, Jonathan Webber can finally look forward to some free time when his term ends Spring Quarter.
As part of finishing his tenure, the Associated Student Government president has been tying up loose ends by re-examining campus publicity guidelines, proposing an ASG budget equal to half of last year’s and looking to change elements of A-status funding.
“I’ve learned a huge amount,” the Weinberg senior said. “I learned a lot about time management. I’ve failed at time management over and over again, but hopefully I’ve gotten a bit closer to being better.”
A year ago, when he started thinking about running for the position, Webber didn’t realize how much time the role would demand.
He came into the presidency with 10 projects he said he would finish in less than a month. At the end of his term, he is still balancing some of those projects with working on new ones.
His inbox always has e-mails from students who want to see some aspect of Northwestern changed. He is always scheduled to meet with students, fellow ASG members and administrators to talk about a new initiative or a new proposal. Webber estimated he spends about 20 hours of his week just on fulfilling the standard duties of ASG president. Any time spent on special projects adds to those 20 hours.
During Fall Quarter, Webber brought together student leaders and administrators to create a Student-Community Relations Task Force to discuss solutions for the increasing number of students, especially freshmen, in the hospital for alcohol-related reasons.
“That report was very well-done,” Vice President for Student Affairs William Banis said. “Jon has been very balanced and fair as a student advocate. He has been deliberate in gathering information on issues and doing his research.”
During his first quarter as president, Webber advocated for student theater groups, securing funding from the School of Communication, Norris University Center and ASG for $20,000 for dimmer packs to ensure theater groups wouldn’t have to continue renting them. Because funding is done on a yearly basis, securing funding for such lighting was an obstacle because of the cost.
“These dimmer packs will help for 25 years,” Communication junior and Executive Director of Sit and Spin Productions Rebecca Stevens said. “He wasn’t advocating for student theater because he liked student theater better or thought we deserved more funding. He was standing up and talking about was a different way to look at funding.”
When Webber needs to take a break from his responsibilities, he goes to the Center for Student Involvement to chat with ASG adviser Helen Wood for 20 to 30 hours per week.
“She’s one of my closest friends,” he said. “I rely on her literally every day of the year.”
Wood, who has worked with six NU ASG presidents, said Webber was willing to work behind the scenes for issues that affect students and wasn’t there to bask in the glory of having his name in the newspaper.
“The job is a lonely one. You’re taking a full-time job without pay,” she said. “It takes a lot of energy, and it takes a lot of time.”
Wood said she acted as a sounding board for Webber.
“I think that’s where our relationship grew – being in a situation where he trusts me,” she said.
“Universities are notorious for moving very slowly,” so Webber’s work might not come into fruition for a couple of years, she said.
“Being patient and understanding – that is the best thing he’s been able to do,” she said. “The future of Northwestern will benefit.”
So far, Webber has built the foundation for future initiatives by researching and starting conversations. Such projects include creating a 24-hour campus, with more late-night eateries and a more secure feel, and an office for off-campus students.
“I’m confident I will leave ASG better than I found it,” Webber said. “I really think a lot of the projects that I worked on, that they’re going to have an effect on campus two to five years from now.”
