Why run for CCAS Senate?

GW is known to be one of the most diverse schools in the country, but this diversity is not adequately represented in the Student Association.

Although I am new to the SA, I have been an active member in several student organizations and have always been an outside spectator to all of the decisions made within the student government. Over the years I have become frustrated with the lack of representation that multicultural students and cultural organizations receive within the SA. After many years of advocating from the outside, I now feel that the only way for cultural groups to have proper representation is to have someone from the multicultural community become a part of the student government itself and to advocate on behalf of those organizations.

Each year, the SA fails to allot sufficient allocations to many multicultural student groups, causing these organizations to be severely limited in their choice of programming, thus impairing their success. Although these organizations are recognized by the school, the cultural value they offer and the knowledge they provide to the GW community is not always accounted for because there is no one within the SA to directly advocate on their behalf.

Pained by budget constraints, many student organizations typically have no choice but to hold their events in the Marvin Center. However adhering to the catering rules at the Marvin Center is often a challenge, both monetarily and in the limited array of food options provided by Sodexho. Each culture has its own customs and traditions, which can often not be fully carried out because of these stringent rules.

As an advocacy group, the SA should be reaching out to different organizations and understanding their issues. However the cultural barrier and a severe lack of communication has disadvantaged many multicultural student groups.

I think it is extremely important that the voice of multicultural student groups be heard in the student government. This has clearly not been the case. I believe that with someone such as myself, with years of involvement in GW’s multicultural community, cultural organizations will have a more powerful voice and be able to have a greater impact in the GW community.

This is an incredible opportunity for students groups of all cultures and backgrounds to be adequately represented in the Student Association. These groups deserve to have their voices heard and to have someone to fight on their behalf. Therefore I encourage all CCAS students to vote for me so we can give all of the unheard voices a chance to be heard.

Along with advocating for student groups, there are a host of other issues that, as CCAS Senator, I plan to concentrate on such as better academic advising for CCAS students, providing healthier food options at J Street, and more efficient 4-Ride services.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to e-mail me at mmalik@gwmail.gwu.edu