I wasn’t initially planning on endorsing in the Student Government presidential race. I certainly had my own personal preference, but I intended to stay out of the campaign and leave the candidates to themselves.
However, as the campaign progresses, I have decided that, like a number of students, campus clubs and The Eagle, I cannot stay silent on the largest issue that will impact the effectiveness of the Student Government over the next year: who will be our next SG President.
Over the last year, I have dedicated roughly 50 hours a week to advocating for the student body. In that time, I have learned a lot, from both my successes and my failures, about what it takes to do this job and to do it effectively.
In my opinion, there is one candidate whose message, platform, personality and experience make her uniquely qualified to assume the presidency, and that candidate is Abby Finn.
Despite our progress this year on issues ranging from financial aid to LGBT advocacy, all of us still have a number of issues with American University. We need an SG President who has the ability to turn those complaints into tangible, realistic goals and to unite us behind them.
Throughout this campaign, Abby Finn has demonstrated that she can bring a constructive, inclusive vision to the challenges that we face as a community. She is not focusing on a single issue, but knows that there are a wide variety of issues important to the student body; what is important to you, is important to Abby. In this race, she is a candidate who is offering both a positive message and achievable goals, instead of saturating our Facebooks with negativity or impossible promises.
AU and AUSG can always do better, and it has been said in this campaign that radical change is still necessary. I certainly do not disagree. The question is, who has the skills to deliver the change we seek? Abby Finn has the experience and abilities to be ready to fight for change on day one.
While serving in SG, she has never accepted the organization or University’s status quo and has continually fought to change it. We need a president who can bring people together through both their rhetoric and their actions. During this campaign, Abby Finn has shown that she is that kind of candidate and will be that kind of president.
I have had the privilege of working with Abby over the last two years during her time in the Undergraduate Senate. Abby has been a leader on significant issues facing the student body, from sexual assault prevention to helping to craft the SG’s new scholarship fund. In all of these interactions, I have found Abby’s compassion, dedication, zeal and follow-through to be a breath of fresh air. Her leadership is reliable, consistent and selfless.
It is for these reasons that I’m proud to say that I’m in with Finn. I urge you to visit her Facebook page to learn more about her vision for a more inclusive, accessible and open AU. I hope you join me in voting for Abby Finn on March 27 and 28.
Tim McBride
Student Government President
