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TrueBU directs attention to bridging gap between student body, government

(From left to right: Alexander Golob, Sandra Soto, Cassandra Shavney, Salma Yehia) PHOTO COURTESY OF TRUEBU
(From left to right: Alexander Golob, Sandra Soto, Cassandra Shavney, Salma Yehia) PHOTO COURTESY OF TRUE BU

Boston University Student Government campaign slate TrueBU aspires to bring change to the school by promoting three ideals: community, empowerment and vision.

“We want to make sure that students have a happy and healthy four years here at the university and leave here more impassioned and empowered to make a difference in their community than when they entered the university,” said Alexander Golob, TrueBU’s presidential candidate and current president of CFA Student Government.

TrueBU consists of Golob, a College of Fine Arts sophomore, in addition to School of Education sophomore Sandra Soto, College of Arts and Sciences junior Cassandra Shavney and CAS junior Salma Yehia. The slate aims to encourage student innovation, involve students and teachers in forums and foster better communication in the community, Golob said.

“That means working on everyday concerns every day and not the 11th hour,” he said. “That involves mental heath support that involves harnessing student innovation through grant programs, creating forums between teachers and students so that we can actually break down some of the barriers of miscommunication and build bridges rather than burn them.”

Soto, the slate’s candidate for executive vice president, stressed how important it is to bridge the gap between the student government and the student body, most notably through Student Activities Office reforms.

“Bridging the gap between the student body and the student government is the main goal,” Soto said. It’s all about actually being able to hear their concerns and we can’t do that if we have no connection with them. Increasing collaboration through SAO reforms is another huge way we plan to get in touch with students and get them communicating with one another.”

Shavney, who is running for candidate for vice president of internal affairs, said getting all BU students involved in student government is a key piece to achieving their goals as a unified student community.

“It’s really important for students to know that if you go to BU, you are in student government,” she said. “That’s a really big part of our community aspect. We want every student to feel like we are there for them and there to support them.”

Shavney said regardless of the outcome of the election, TrueBU still intends to implement their campaign agenda.

“We are so committed to this,” she said. “We know that even if we don’t make it into office that we are still going to work on all of this. These aren’t just goals that can just be done through student government. They are things we are already working on and we will continue to work on.”

Yehia, candidate for VP of finance, said one of TrueBU’s goals is to use their connections with the administration to effect change.

“It starts with a mentality change,” Yehia said. “It’s not us versus them. It’s us working with them, and we already have so many connections with the administration. We pride ourselves on that because we are able to communicate in their mindset.”

Golob said as student body president, he would ensure that no student feels that he or she is not a valued member of the student community.

“To me it’s making sure that no one is left behind,” he said. “I had a very tough childhood and I experienced something that I don’t think anyone should have happen to them, which is being left behind by their friends, by teachers, by the community. I eventually became CFA president. The difference between wanting to do good and making sure that no one is left behind and having the same goals and the same vision and having that leadership position is immense.”

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