AAS Senate Candidate Statements for Class of 2020

The Association of Amherst Students (AAS) will hold elections for Senate on Feb. 15. Amherst students will receive an email on Feb. 15 with the link to cast votes. The following candidates will be on the ballot for the position of senator for the Class of 2020. Speech Night will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. in Lipton Lecture Hall.

Maya Bhandari: My name is Maya Bhandari, and I am running for re-election to represent the class of 2020. I loved being your senator for the last two years, and I believe my experience has provided me with the skills necessary to better serve as your representative this semester. During my time on Senate, I organized outdoor yoga and zumba on the quad as part of the Wellness Day during reading period last spring, and I worked with Residential Life to put games in first-year common rooms in order to foster a livelier environment. I was also a representative on the Committee on Priorities and Resources, where I provided a student perspective on how the college’s budget should be allocated. If re-elected, I would continue to work towards improving the lives of our class by listening to and advocating for your ideas.

Avery Farmer: Hello, friends. The Amherst community is full of sharp minds, kind hearts and rich identities, and in this moment, I feel that the college’s past accomplishment is dwarfed by the vast potential of its future. Today’s Amherst students can transform this campus into a place that not only produces high earners and decorated scholars, but also uplifts the people who live, study and work here. In my time at Amherst, I have seen the ways that our community is fractured — by prejudice and discrimination, by stress and competition and by uncertainty about what a 21stt century, socially aware campus and its students should look like. But I have also seen how powerfully we improve the campus when we come together. As a senator, I will be a strong voice for the class of 2020 and a committed advocate for causes of social justice, equity and good governance at both the AAS and institutional levels. It would be an honor to represent you. Thank you.

Diego Gomez: Hello, all! My name is Diego Gomez, and I am excited to run for Senate. As an Amherst student, I’ve noticed the different ways that students feel unsupported on campus. Dealing with administration, dining services and student activities is hard. I want to create more opportunities for direct communication between offices on campus and the student body. I’m open to suggestions, and I hope we can talk about the changes we want to see.

Meg Parker: My name is Meg Parker, and I am running to represent the class of 2020. If elected, my actions in Senate would reflect the interests and passions of our class. Through group work and relevant leadership experiences I have had on campus, I believe that I have acquired the strengths necessary to serve my peers. I am particularly dedicated to furthering the cause of sustainability initiated by the Amherst Climate Action Plan, potentially as a part of the Sustainability and Climate Task Force. If elected, I would be interested in working on the Dining Committee to further expand food options for vegetarians, vegans and those with other dietary restrictions. I hope to continue increasing the visibility of the AAS Senate in order to provide more resources and events that will be inclusive for all students. If elected, I would do my best to voice concerns as an involved and dedicated representative of our class. Thank you for your interest in the future of the AAS Senate!