Increasing student involvement in the Government of the Student Body is a major part of John Hamilton and Amy Robertson’s campaign for GSB president and vice president.

“We want the students to know that if they get involved with the election and GSB, they can help us achieve our goals and their goals in a more efficient way,” Robertson said.

Hamilton, senior in marketing and transportation and logistics from Marion, is teamed with Robertson, junior in exercise and sport science from Audubon.

Hamilton has been a senator for the College of Business since his sophomore year, and has been active on both the senate judiciary committee and the finance committee.

Outside GSB, he has been a Cyclone Aide, a member of the business council and Army ROTC; he also is part of the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi and has been on the Veishea committee for three years.

Robertson is not in GSB, but wants to get involved. “I noticed the great impact it has on a lot of the organizations I’m in,” she said.

Robertson is involved in organizations such as the Panhellenic Executive Committee and the Student Alumni Association, and she has been on the Veishea executive committee for three years.

Hamilton and Robertson said they have four main points on their platform, and an overall goal to serve ISU students.

First, they said improved representation of students on GSB issues is necessary. They said one way to accomplish this is by attending organization meetings on campus to receive feedback, specifically about how GSB could be serving students effectively.

“Not only will we ask for ideas from them but inform them of what a great impact they have. We can achieve ideas much more efficiently with their help,” Robertson said.

“GSB has the capability to be much more than a financial allocation organization,” she said.

“By going out to groups, we can let students know what GSB is doing for them,” Hamilton said.

Both candidates also want to work on the faculty evaluation system to ensure it is student-run, while working with the faculty senate for support.

“We would like to have evaluations available to students before they register for classes so they can make informed decisions about which classes to take and which professors fit their learning style best,” Hamilton said.

The evaluations would include information on testing and the class structure.

“If we could start working this semester, the system would be available for fall,” Robertson said.

“We need student input on the system to find out the right one for them,” Hamilton said. “We have to be flexible and ready to make changes.”

Hamilton and Robertson said they also would like students to have a university service evaluation system to rate various services and offices.

“It’s a customer service thing,” Hamilton said. “We’d like to work with offices to help give better service to students.”

The third main point of the candidates’ platform is to have an on-campus multicultural center. Hamilton added that student input about the issue is crucial.

“Our purpose with this is to find out what students want. The center should be not only educational, but a place where students feel comfortable spending time,” Robertson said.

“We need to sort through ideas and find what could benefit the students most,” Hamilton said.

Finally, Hamilton and Robertson want to start a university-wide community service project.

“The community of Ames has given a lot to us. We need to make sure we’re giving something back,” Robertson said.

The candidates said a possible project idea is working with Habitat for Humanity to help build housing.

This platform and Hamilton’s involvement in GSB for three years enables the team to “benefit students a lot more in the executive branch,” Hamilton said.

“I could get a lot more accomplished as president to serve the students,” he said.

Hamilton said his experience qualifies him as a good candidate for president.

“I have been on campus for four years and GSB for three. I’ve seen a lot, done a lot and been with many groups. I know things that won’t work, and things that possibly will,” he said.

The team said Robertson can add new insight to GSB because she brings a fresh approach.

“John and I understand students because we are not so tied up into GSB. We are very real and understand the issues students face,” she said.

“We are very good listeners,” Hamilton said. “We have to listen to what students want and need and make sure all of the student population is represented.”