Allandra Mc Eachrane's Platform

Hi,

My name is Allandra-Marie Mc Eachrane. I am from Trinidad and Tobago and I am a Junior Psychology and Communication double major.  I am running for the position of the Cultural Affairs Board Representative for the 2008-2009 CSB Senate Elections. I was elected to this position earlier in this semester and I am very passionate about it. In my past three months here I have had the opportunity to work with administration, the Cultural Affairs Board and the extraordinary women of the Saint Ben’s Senate to improve campus life. My personal motivation for this position is to emphasize the fact that everyone has a culture. Above and beyond increasing intercultural awareness I want there to be efficiency, genuineness, comfort and appreciation in intercultural interactions. I think that CSB/SJU is fortunate to be smaller in size than the average campus and blessed to have a Benedictine environment that assists in fostering this. Students here have the benefit of seeing each other often enough to have meaningful interactions. Therefore, I believe that intercultural competence is an achievable goal on this campus and acquiring it should be seen as a priority especially with the greater demand for this quality as a career prerequisite.

Being a part of the CSB Senate requires great responsibility and dedication but it hardly, if ever, feels like a task. I am truly zealous to be a part of such a dynamic student government, and I hope that you will support me to continue to do so. Being on the senate gives me immense opportunities to make changes in the history of our school that will one day benefit others. I am currently working on a proposal to submit to the administration to emphasize that cultural competency is an important goal for students to try to acquire from inception into this institution. Secondly, I am bringing to their attention that the increases in tuition will have a direct effect on the diversity recruitment for this school. An example of this is the decrease in enrollment of Jamaican students whose exchange rate is approximately $71JMD to make $1USD. It is important that higher education institutions not send the message that only those within high income brackets and exceptional GPA scores be deserving of tertiary education from private schools. One idea I have for helping students in need, whether they be in state, out of state or international, is to put in place an in-library text book use system .There can be a few copies of text books required for classes on reserve in the library. Students in need can  come in and use the books there. To fund this I propose that we can provide the option of donating to a particular fund or cause in the donation requests sent to our home. The requests that we currently receive do not indicate how the funds are used. I believe that people will feel more moved to donate it they have the option to donate or allocate to specific causes.

            I believe that I am an excellent candidate for this position. Before being elected I had already been a member of the Cultural Affairs Board which I continue to support and work with as we fulfill our goals for the CSB/SJU campus. With that said, my desire to improve intercultural competency is directed towards both campuses and recognizing the need for collaborations I am active in the newly formed Joint Senate Committee, consisting of members from both senates. 

            I currently work at Student Activities and Leadership Development in the Upper Mary commons who also seek to enhance issues such as intercultural competence through their programming and Inspiring Leaders Certificate Program. A significant number of the offices and individuals that the CAB rep needs to work with are located there at Upper Mary Commons such as the Office of Student Development, The Office of the Dean, The Intercultural Center and the International Students office. This has allowed me to form a greater rapport with them and to have greater flexibility to meet with them.   

Although one of my first motivations to be a part of organizations with a cultural focus came out of personal experiences, my involvement has further impressed on me that everyone is affected by cultural issues whether or not we are aware. I graciously ask you to re-elect me so that I can continue to work for this cause.

Thank you

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