2010 General Election

James A. Branch

Vice President

James BranchMy name is James Branch and I am running for Vice President of ECOS. Since I first arrived, Eckerd's level of engagement and optimism has rubbed off on me and, in turn, I have been extremely involved in the affairs of ECOS. As a freshman I first became involved with the Financial Affairs Committee and played a leading role in organizing many events such as the Battle of the Bands. As a sophomore I have continued my student involvement by becoming the Gamma Complex Senator, the Pro-Tempore of the Financial Affairs Committee, the Manager of the Sailing Team and the Co-Vice President of Eckerd College Homeless Outreach (ECHO). I am an extremely dedicated, straight forward, fun-loving person who knows I can make a positive difference at this school.

As your Vice President it will be my primary mission to create a closer, more comfortable relationship between students and ECOS by networking and creating results. My major initiative is to implement an Expect Respect campaign to promote EC and Complex pride/events while heavily focusing on curbing vandalism. This will be modeled after the Univ. of Michigan and Embry Riddle's similar, successful ventures. I also am going to work with other students to put into place a permanent SafeRide program as well work to strengthen the Yellow Bike community. A common complaint we should work to make nonexistent is that it is hard for clubs to get what they want and for the administration to hear your concerns.

It will be my responsibility, interest and my pledge during my term to be the most approachable, respectful and genuine as anyone can be. As the only senator seeking this position, I know it inside and out and will perform the best job possible. Let's make ECOS ours.

Erica Magnusson

Vice President

Erica Magnusson"Fasten your harness, keep your chin up, and then jump. Whatever you do, do not pull your parachute." He was giving me these directions at 15,000 feet, as my fingers clung to the side of the airplane and I was about to plummet myself to the earth at eighty miles per hour strapped to a man that I had only known for ten minutes. My thoughts had transformed from my pre-plane boarding what-ifs, to pure excitement as I looked down at the beauty of the earth below. My name is Erica Magnusson and I am running for Executive Vice President. The progression of making that leap of faith when skydiving is very similar to the progression of becoming a leader.

Fasten your harness. When I arrived at Eckerd, three years ago, the first thing I did was become a freshman senator. As a freshman, I was an active member on the Academic Affairs committee, and became involved with The Academy of Florida's Independent Colleges and Universities. Sophomore year, I was appointed to the position of Director of Intercollegiate Relations, in which I planned the student government state conference for the private Universities and Colleges to network and develop ideas to enhance our own student government. This year, I have had the distinguished honor of the appointed position for student lesion for the Plight and Promise of Africa. I have begun integrating a conflict-mineral free resolution so that Eckerd can become the first college in the nation to support the Congo by investing in alternative products.

Keep your chin up. Eckerd brings a smile to my face. I couldn't tell you one specific thing that I love most about Eckerd, because I am constantly inspired by the student's ability to rally together to promote what you believe in. I am impressed with our endless amount of clubs and the events that make Eckerd truly unique. You know what I mean, when we describe an event with the saying, "Only at Eckerd..." My goal is to continue those traditions, but to also build new traditions by instilling a Respect campaign to unite senators and students to review ways we can build pride on campus. I believe that by uniting together we can advocate for new traditions, and we can review ways to reduce vandalism on campus and also to get students excited about being a Triton, and supporting our athletes, artists, advocates and everyone in-between.

Jump. If elected to be your Vice President I will bring to ECOS my unwavering desire to first and foremost represent you. I want to meet with you, and hear what you would like to see in a student government, on campus and ideas to transform Eckerd into all it can be. I also will approach this position, like I approach everything in life with a smile, optimism, and responsibility. I promise that if you put your trust in me, we can jump together to reveal the beauty of all that is Eckerd.