A Message From Emily Lemmerman

Emily Lemmerman ’15

I’ve been in Student Council for the past three years – first as prep and lower rep, and now as vice president. I know how StuCo works – from planning events like E/a, Speed Dating, Halloween assembly, Gingerbread House Making and the Thanking Staff Concert to crafting policies to bring back Winter Thaw and change V’s. I’ve worked on D-hall committee, and have gotten the Discipline Committee to come to Council.

All of that aside, I’m all about pragmatic, long-term changes that will make a difference in your time here, and for future generations of Exonians. I think that is only possible through listening more voices on campus, and opening communication between students, faculty and the administration.

I want to explore new channels for communication – from having students on faculty committees, to implementing office hours for deans. I will meet with trustees and the administration often, so that I can make sure that students know about upcoming faculty decisions and weigh in.

As for issues I want to approach, I see transparency of the DC, better weekends, and V’s as the big three.

First, on V’s– this year, StuCo brought a V’s proposal to the faculty. As many of you might know, it didn’t pass. What I want to do differently is this - I want StuCo to hold forums about what we specifically want as a school from V's, and involve faculty in those forum—longer hours? Less consequences? I think it’s possible to find an intersection between what the faculty can imagine and what students want. One proposal that cut into study hours didn’t pass, but maybe another one can.

Secondly, I want to work on making the discipline process more transparent. I want mock DC cases to be written and discussed by advisory groups, and the ASAP process explained more clearly.

Finally, I want to work on making weekends better and to impact your experience more immediately. I think some easy fixes that will bring more spirit to campus are concessions and advertising for games, as well as more awareness of smaller events like concerts, art exhibits, and DRAMAT shows. Moreover, I want to make it easier for clubs to plan events and get funding from StuCo, and for you to propose events and see them happen.

The fundamental purpose of a StuCo president is to be an effective liaison between students and faculty, and I’ll make that happen with my experience and passion. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – I love Exonians, but sometimes not Exeter, and that’s why I want to work for you.