The Progressive Alliance includes the College Democrats, the College Feminists, the Global Engagement Summit, NCDC, Rainbow Alliance and SEED. Every year, these groups host an open debate in which candidates are given a forum to present their platforms and address issues which are important to members of the Alliance. Afterward, the member groups discuss the candidates and vote to endorse the ticket that will most effectively further their interests.

The Progressive Alliance endorses Austin Young and Ash Jaidev for ASG president and vice president. We appreciated their recognition of ASG as a resource to help student groups. We believe Austin and Ash’s experience in ASG as well as their work throughout the larger student community will enable them to effectively identify and implement policies that cater to a comprehensive campus audience.

The ways in which Austin and Ash would like to improve the Northwestern community such as leadership development workshops, special-interest roundtables and dorm dialogues will all tangibly connect student perspectives to ASG. The Progressive Alliance supports Austin and Ash and recommends that they consider Matt and Jazzy’s action-oriented LGBT and sustainability initiatives in the future. We hope that these actions will hold the Northwestern administration accountable to its promises of hiring a Sustainability Coordinator and expanding LGBT resources. While Matt and Jazzy present an experienced and capable team, their emphasis on ASG’s responsibility to the administration minimizes the potential of autonomous student groups. We hope that Austin and Ash will drive ASG and other student groups to achieve as much through its own accomplishments and members as through the assistance of administrators.

-Kathyrn Anderson

SESP junior

The Progressive Alliance