TDP: “Do you have any goals that you are hoping to meet during your presidency and vice-presidency?”
Charlie Douglas : “One of the big things that we want to get done is pass as many meaningful pieces of legislation as we can. The past couple of years we have had one or two very big, legitimate white papers, but the white papers that have come out have really lacked any substance. I think we're going to do a good job of really packing in a lot meaningful white papers into the limited amount of time [student senate] meets. We’re focusing on that by scheduling more time during the week to meet.”
Claire Halffield: “My goals are to be a better connector between organizations that are doing similar things but then also organizations, students, the administration and the board of trustees. That’s something DePauw student government is here for, but really hasn't done in the past.”
TDP: “Do you have any specific initiatives that you are going to be pushing?”
Charlie Douglas: “One of the big things Claire and I are trying to push for is mental health initiatives. We are really looking forward to pairing with Active Minds and we're really looking forward to pairing with the Wellness Center.”
Claire Halffield: “One thing I learned after going to a presidential leadership summit in D.C. this summer was that we aren't having a conversation about mental health on this campus as much as other schools are, but it's so important. We really respect and honor all of the things Active Minds has been doing, but we want to help amplify it.”
TDP: “How do you feel about the shift from student life to student academic life?”
Claire Halffield: “I think it's a really cool thing because an academic experience, especially at a liberal arts school like DePauw, is suppose to be a holistic experience and not just the time you’re spending in the classroom.”
TDP: “How do you feel about the hiring of Alan Hill 81’ as Vice President of Student Academic life?”
Charlie Douglas: “I think it’s really cool, especially coming from a student athlete’s perspective, that he played football at DePauw, he ran track at DePauw. He knows what it is like to be a student at DePauw. It’s really nice to have someone who is in charge of student academic life know what the students are going through on a daily basis.”
TDP: “How do you feel about the numerous staff changes to the administration including a new president?”
Claire Halffield: “I think it's really exciting, but it also causes some growing pains because everyone is new to their roles and it puts a halt to some of the things we want to do because people don't know the best way to interact. There are a lot of commitments that everyone has at the beginning of the year and so hopefully once things settle down… we can actually start working with the administration on a more personal and more direct level.”
TDP: “How can someone get in contact with you if they have a concern or issue?”
Claire Halffield: “I try to respond to emails within 48 hours of receiving them, but if someone needs to talk to us in person we both have office hours. My office hours are 12:30 P.M. - 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursdays.”
Charlie Douglas: “Mine are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays as well as 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays.”
Claire Halffield: “We have a new student organization space [in the basement of the Hub] and we have our own DSG office in there.”
TDP: “What is your go to order at Marvin’s?”
Charlie Douglas: “GCB with macbites and fries. I always double up on the fries.”
Claire Halffield: “I go back and forth between the mozzarella sticks and the macbites, but I also do frank’s fries.”