Former VP for Sustainability Nora Harren’s resignation resulted in a vacancy on the AS Executive Board.
The special election to fill the vacancy will be held from 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 24 to 4:00 p.m. on Jan. 29 with an online ballot available on the Western Involvement Network [WIN].
The seven candidates running for the position of VP for Sustainability are: Cole Burk, Eric Dawson, Seb Genge, Katie Hill, Zarea Lavalais, Katie McNabb and Riley Weeks.
Cole Burk
The AS Vice President for Sustainability isn’t a position that just needs filling. It requires someone who not only cares about environmental protection, economic viability, and social equity, but has the community at heart as well. I’m running for this position so I may work directly with the creative minds of passionate students who are behind so many of the wonderful projects here at Western regarding the improvement of food security, transportation, environmental justice, social equity, and so much more on campus. One of the most important issues I would face as your VP with utmost urgency is getting us back on track with the Sustainability Action Plan. As your VP, I would be taking my experience as a Sustainability Ambassador through Western’s Office of Sustainability, and work to not only prioritize this new position, but to also instill confidence that I will bring your ideas to the table by communicating with those passionate students about concepts they’d like to see as a reality. By working closely with the student body and Western’s administration, we will be successful in our attempt to continue Western on its path to sustainability.
Eric Dawson
My name is Eric Dawson and I am running for Vice President of Sustainability. I have never held office before, but I am eager to start serving the community. Sustainability means not just environmental but also social sustainability; As Vice President of Sustainability, I will encourage the student population of WWU to contact the ASVP e-mail for more transparency and community interaction with the AS government. In environmental sustainability, I will continue to support existing programs to reduce the campus carbon footprint as well as promote the use of alternate forms of transportation in order to fight the environmental and economic burdens that an automobile-centric transportation system.
Seb Genge
Hi, my name is Seb Genge. As an avid hiker and a Business & Sustainability major, I believe in the importance of fostering respect for our planet and caring about the long-term impacts of our actions. I am running for AS VP for Sustainability because I am intent on advancing Western’s commitment to its sustainability goals. By collaborating with student organizations and Western’s administrative body, I intend to provide transparent communication with the campus community as we work towards addressing the environmental and social issues that matter to us—the students— from pushing for less waste and carbon emissions, to promoting more equity in our institutions and endorsing the Shred the Contract Campaign. I plan to take action on these issues with diligence and care while supporting the efforts of other students already engaged in these endeavors. Thank you for your consideration.
Katie Hill
We can all agree that 2020 was not our year, however now in the new year we can work to make a better environment for everyone. Western Washington’s campus is beautiful with the Arboretum right alongside it’s buildings, and allowing nature to thrive and co-exist with us is what sustainability is all about. As Vice President for Sustainability here at Western, I will work hard for the environment around us, and create real change around our campus, virtually and physically. I love Western, and I work hard to make my mark and give voice to our student body, and if you let me, I can lead our University to make conscious decisions to better our environment and surroundings.
Zarea Lavalais
Hi Y’all! My name is Z and I’m majoring in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Psychology. The reason I’m running for this position because I find Social sustainability important. It is the glue between Economic and Environmental sustainability. Yet, it’s mostly on the back burner. If I was to get this position i would add more emphasis on the Social Inclusion of Western so that we as a community can help create more opportunities for all people and address the deep-rooted systemic inequalities within this institution. I have worked on many positions at Western and the one thing that is prevalent is when there’s a persistent discrimination and exclusion of the most marginalized. It comes at a high cost to both the people and the institution. I want to take an active step towards cultivating all parts of our environment and hopefully future Western generations to come will keep doing so as well.
Katie McNabb
My name is Katie, and I’m a sophomore currently planning on majoring in Environmental Journalism. I’ve always been passionate about environmentalism and sustainability, and I’m constantly trying to further my education on the subject. I even recently started an environmental blog, which will hopefully serve as a useful tool to those hoping to learn more about what they can do to help our planet. I’m running for the ASWWU Senate because I love the work that Western does to practice sustainability, and I’d love to play a role in helping the school to continue to grow as an eco-friendly institution. If elected, I would encourage students to be more sustainable by partnering with local sustainable businesses to get student discounts so they would feel more inclined to shop there, as well as providing students with the tools and education that they would need using social media and Zoom sessions.
Riley Weeks
I am a passionate environmentalist committed to working tirelessly for environmental and social sustainability for all members of Western’s campus. My experience as a board member of Ecological Action (ecologicalaction.org), a nonprofit that partners with underserved communities in the areas of renewable energy technology, agriculture, and education with the purpose of a sustainable future, has given me a multitude of skills that will be vital as VP of Sustainability. I have learned to work successfully with others and the importance of determination through installing solar panels on Native American reservations. I have learned perseverance and dedication through many meetings with local city officials in my hometown, working to convince them to put a Climate Action Plan in place. But most importantly, I have learned that action in the form of student led initiatives today is crucial in the fight for a just and sustainable tomorrow.