Pledging a more approachable Student Association and equitable funding for groups, SA presidential candidate Daniel Loren intends to implement a new constitution up for referendum on the SA ballot.

Loren is a member of the Change for Students organization, which authored a new SA constitution, which would split the Senate into graduate and undergraduate houses among other provisions.

“The switch over to the new system is completely realistic,” he said.
“The new constitution will allow for a simpler, fairer allocation process and will create an SA that students will be excited about.”

Loren said the SA should be more accountable to students.

“I intend to refocus the SA, making it responsible to its members,” Loren said. “If I’m elected, I intend to turn the SA into more of an outreach, advocacy organization that is a lot more approachable.”

Loren proposes free copy services for all student organizations and free advertising for events. Loren said he is disappointed with what he calls a misuse of SA funds and wants to limit some expenses.

“I want to cut the executive budget from its current allotment of $62,000 to around $40,000 and return the difference to the students,” he said. He also said the Academic Update budget of $10,000 this year “was not worth it” and needs reform.

Loren said he hopes to make the SA an advocate for students.

“I don’t know of a single issue where the SA has stood up to the administration,” he said. “There is not a real return in services.”

Eight Senate candidates and sophomore executive vice president candidate Mike Pellegrino are also running on the Change for Students slate.

Loren said the slate is not a political party, expressing his concern that a party system at GW would not serve the students well.

Campaign finance reform is also on Loren’s platform.

“Elections here are ridiculous and, if elected, I hope to institute a spending limit so more students can run,” he said. “Hopefully, the SA will eventually help foot the bill.”

Loren said he has experience in other organizations, including the Residence Hall Association and International Affairs Society, which he chairs, has given him the leadership experience needed for the SA.