What Everyone Really Wants (Platforms)

Hey Hey Colonials!
I know you've all anxiously been awaiting my platforms.  Here they are:


Improving the Financial Process for Student Organizations

The process for filing an Expenditure Approval Form is a long one.  Even after filling out all the paperwork and dropping your receipts off at the SA office your reimbursement can take as long as a month to be fully processed.  It needs to be faster.  We’re college students.  Most of us don’t have the luxury of being able to throw money around for our organizations and need reimbursements to be done in a timely manner.  I propose that we institute an EAF tracking system.  Through the EAF tracking system, students would be able to follow their EAF from the initial drop off to receiving their reimbursement.  The system would tell students exactly what the status is of their pending reimbursement, giving them the ability to call specific departments and figure out exactly when they will get their money.  GW needs to make timely EAF processing a priority.  Currently every EAF goes through a one woman office.  Imagine how much faster the process would be if she had some help.  The University needs to hire more staff to assist with filing the high volume of forms.  These staff members could even be work study students. 

Taking it to the Streets
GW students need to have their voices heard and while EVP office hours are a wonderful way to reach this goal; there is more that can be done.  Office hours aren't always convenient for students.  What if they can't make it to those few hours a week you'll be at your desk?  I want to take it streets!  I will make my office hours more accessible by holding them in places like Starbucks, Ivory Basement,  Thurston Piano Lounge, Kogan Plaza, and J-Street.  In these less formal environments, I will be able to form better connections with the students whom I am serving.  These meetings will serve as an invaluable tool because its hard to advocate on student issues you are unfamiliar with. 




Making J-Street work for Everyone
J-street is always a hot button issue with wide variety of opinions on how to make it better.  One thing is for sure: numerous improvements need to be made.  Currently the University has a contract with Sodexho that does not expire until 2016.  That being said, we must put pressure on Sodexho to better accommodate our needs which vary.  I've decided to focus on the needs of a special group: Vegetarians. Vegetarians have the most limited options on J-Street.  They also have the least nutritious options on J-Street.  Carbohydrates and lettuce do not constitute a well balanced diet.  The university needs to provide healthy vegetarian options.  In particular some form of protein other than hummus and canned beans should be available on a daily basis.