USF Pep Rally (hosted by Student Government and Athletics)

When: Wednesday – Octorber 14th, at 12 pm

Where: Amphitheatre at the Marshall Center

Come out and support your USF Bulls Football Team and enjoy Free Food and activities!

Be sure to print out your ticket and be there Thursday to help cheer your USF Bulls to victory!

Go Bulls!

Brandon Thames is running for Senator of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why should people vote for you?

I promise to do my best to make sure the voice of my peers is heard in the senate. I would like for students to benefit from the decisions we make in Senate, and I’m hoping to have a noticeable effect in the lives of every student here at USF.

What kind of experience do you have related to the position you are running for?

Currently I am an executive board member of the P.R.I.D.E. Alliance, and working as their treasurer I interact with members of student government on a regular basis. I am familiar with the way a meeting should be run thanks to my work with several committees for P.R.I.D.E. and my fraternity Theta Chi.

What do you feel needs to change in Student Government?

We need to cut unnecessary spending on excessive projects and allocate the funds to better serve the students by placing it in the hands of the organizations, not Joe Benchmaker and his company. The funds are there to be distributed in a way that would most improve our campus, and students. As such we should do all in our power to make sure it stays in the hands of our students.

What separates you from the other candidates running for your position?

Well I have a clear idea of what I want from Senate, I’m not here to just build my resume like other candidates. I want to initiate a revolution within the Senate, one that would benefit the students we serve.

What are some things you hope to propose, if elected?

If elected I would work closely with my fellow senators and organizations to streamline the budget, and fund allocation. I see student organizations as the life blood of the campus, and anything to help them saturate student life would make for a more enjoyable college experience for all. I would love to try and move to get the Chia-bull replaced with something more elegant, but I don’t think that’s within the Senate’s power. I’ll still try though, it’s expensive and an eyesore!

What motivates you to complete your goals at USF?

USF was really the only school that I applied to, I had the scores and grades to go elsewhere. But I just couldn’t leave Tampa, I love the area so much. It was not until my second semester that I really started to get involved on campus, and now you couldn’t pay me to leave. I love being a bull, and I can’t wait to prove it to you all through my work in the Senate… if I get elected that is!

Samantha Toro is a College of Arts and Sciences Senate Candidate.

1) Why should people vote for you?

I’m adorable. But in all seriousness, I want to represent YOU, not just make myself look good for a law school. I’m not even going to law school.

2) What kind of experience do you have related to the position you are running for?

I was Vice-President of my high school’s Student Government. I have also attended Senate meetings here at USF and know its procedures. I would not need much of a transition period and can start working on the issues immediately.

3) What do you feel needs to change in Student Government?

I think many students see Student Government and Senate as this elitist, secretive club who doles out money from time to time. The average student does not know that general Senate and committee meetings are open to the public. I’ve spoken to club presidents who did not know they are encouraged to attend meetings and petition for their clubs. I think greater accessibility and openness should be SG’s goal.

4) What separates you from the other candidates running for your position?

I am one of only three candidates who has attended the past two Senate meetings, so I am well aware of the issues currently being debated. I know how Senate procedures work and am fully aware of what I’m getting into. In addition, I am a recently transferred student who can provide a different perspective on USF among the folks who have been here for years. Most importantly, I’m not running to beef up my resumé, since my career goal is to be a professional modern dancer (yes, I am a bit crazy). I just really want to get involved.

5) What are some things you hope to propose, if elected?

I hope to work with a current Senator on her proposal to start a legislative newsletter. I understand it may be difficult for some students to attend Senate meetings, but they should still have a chance to remain informed. A legislative newsletter would be a brief description of the appropriations and bills passed, as well as current initiatives. After all, we (the students) are the ones paying the fees, so we should be able to see where our money goes.

6) What are top three qualities that you think should define a USF Bull?

hardworking, giving, and courageous