Ashley Hoogstraten, senior

Major: Communication Studies & Corporate Option

Hometown: Orland Park

Campus Party: PULSE

Time on Student Senate: two semesters

Committees I’ve served on: Tuition & Fee Review

Campaign promise: To run the most effective and efficient Apportionment Board meetings as possible by selecting only the most qualified and dedicated students and faculty to serve on the board.

My school-related concerns: Getting students more involved on campus.

This is how I pledge to address these concerns: Listen to what the students who voted have to say and do everything in my power to curb all issues that come up.

Major projects I’ve accomplished: Sheri Ann & Her Boys Fundraiser with Alpha Sigma Tau

Changes I’ll implement: Getting more coverage for the student organization’s budgets.

I’m the best candidate because: I have a lot of passion for the school which my peers and I will work to the best of my ability to keep it a place that we all love.

I want to serve you because: I feel I have the skills, experience and knowledge necessary to do the job that I am running for.

Fun fact: I am a huge video game nerd.

Role model: My grandmother; she was always very active and involved, she always tried her best to keep the peace among everyone.

To me, EIU is: Home.

Brad Saribekian, junior

Major: Accounting

Hometown: Joliet

Campus Party: Independent

Time on Student Senate: four Semesters

Committees I’ve served on: Tuition and Fee Review

Campaign promise: Bring RedBox to Campus and research campus-wide Wi-Fi.

My school-related concerns: Student government is not visible to either the students or the RSOs, and there is no support for the RSOs.

This is how I pledge to address these concerns: My goal is to provide the RSOs with workshops that will help improve their performance, such as how to fundraise and budget.

Major projects I’ve accomplished: I helped create a fee booklet explaining in-depth where your fee-money goes.

Changes I’ll implement: An open-door policy; move the office to transparency; aid the Tuition and Fee Review committee in updating the fee booklet and getting that distributed so students know where their fee money goes.

I’m the best candidate because: I am an experienced senator and have worked closely with this position in many capacities.

I want to serve you because: I enjoy serving the student body and want to continue serving you in the best way possible.

Fun fact: I am an advanced open water SCUBA diver and have been to depths below 80 feet.

Role model: President William Perry for his spirit and energy which vibrate through campus.

To me, EIU means: Bleeding blue no matter who you are or what you believe; though we may all be different, we are EIU.

Michelle Martin, senior

Major: Communications Studies

Hometown: Dunlap

Campus Party: UPS

Time on Student Senate: two semesters

Committees served on: External Relations

Campaign promise: To always represent the student body.

My school-related concerns: I believe that Student Government should work proactively to lobby for funds and that the university must construct budgetary processes that take into consideration the state’s dire financial situation. I do not believe that the poor choices made in Springfield over the last two decades should be rectified by cutting services for students.

This is how I pledge to address these concerns: I will meet with our legislators on a regular basis and lobby the appropriate committees that have jurisdiction over funding. I believe that only with aggressive lobbying and consistency in representation can the student body be adequately represented.

Major projects I’ve accomplished: Organized the Forum of Elected Officials and the EIU Business Expo.

Changes I’ll implement: Regular meetings with administration as well as our state and federal elected officials.

I’m the best candidate because: I am ready to commit the necessary time and energy to get the job done.

I want to serve you because: I believe I am the most qualified and would be the most effective as Vice President for Business Affairs.

Fun fact: I want to learn how to play golf.

Role model: My father; he taught me the importance of family.

To me, EIU is: An extraordinary place to learn and grow.