This week, we as a student body will go the polls (in small numbers) and cast our ballots for the leaders of the student body for the next year. For the executive slates, there are two choices on the ballot (Hamilton/Robertson, Burkhardt/White) and one write-in candidate (Wisher/Johnson.) All three have had some GSB experience, but personally, one slate has had the most overall experience.

John Hamilton and Amy Robertson have had a vast set of experiences to help them on the way. John has actually been running for this position since he got on the campus four years ago. With that mindset, he has been open to new ideas and, as in the debate, can admit to changing his ideals when there is good cause. This is a crucial quality in the leader of GSB. As we saw last year with Adam Gold, if the leader doesn’t listen to the people, then there can be chaos. He has also learned from a better administration as of current and three years ago that not every issue is clear cut. Getting input is a necessity, as in his platform to have better contact with all 500+ student groups, not just the ones that get GSB charity.

He also plans on setting up a teacher evaluation system that would be open to the students before class scheduling. Then we as students can consciously make decisions on which sections are better and also push out teachers that don’t make the grade. With the teacher evaluation, an evaluation of the university services (financial aid, rec services, general maintenance, etc.) would also be questioned. After being asked this question by the administration, it is difficult to completely answer this question without the information of a survey, and John knows what it takes to get such a survey accomplished.

All in all, to me the choice is simple. John and Amy have the most leadership experience and the most drive to get the job done for the students.

Adam B. Obrecht

OCC president

Senior

Agricultural business