Letters to the Editor: Mobley a good leader
Whether or not you believe President Chelsi Mobley has made significant changes on campus, there has been one thing that hasn’t changed regarding The Franklin and Student Congress. Members of our campus newspaper aren’t present at weekly Congress meetings open to the entire campus.
If “campus dropped the ball” when electing Mobley as president, where are the supporting statistics? Based on my personal interactions with dozens of students, a poll surveying students’ opinions on Mobley’s campus impact would show results contrary to The Franklin’s claim.
It’s argued that Student Congress should gather opinions from a wide sampling of the student body when representing them; The Franklin should do the same. Students can express concerns at Student Congress meetings which are open to the entire student body.
The Franklin hasn’t attended a meeting since September.
Mobley has taken several initiatives toward her first goal, which was reported to transform Congress internally. Since being elected, Mobley has injected Student Congress with much-needed energy and pride.
“Chelsi makes me feel like I want to be a better leader,” said freshmen Josh Cratty, the Hoover-Cline representative in Student Congress. “She makes me feel like a valued member of the team, like I matter. Her constant encouragement motivates me to step up and be a better leader.”
This year, Congress went on four leadership development retreats (as opposed to one or two in previous years), implemented a new internal attendance policy to increase members’ accountability, and added four committees to meet a wide variety of student needs.
Each committee has internal and external goals. Internal goals focus on member accountability, leadership development, budgeting and communications. External goals include increasing student engagement and school spirit, bettering communication between students and Congress and making campus improvements.
Pairing internal and external goals strengthens Congress while meeting student needs simultaneously.
“Chelsi has worked so hard to not only do what is best for the students on campus, but also to raise the bar within Student Congress,” said Audi Chastain, an at-large representative.
Another component of Mobley’s platform was a promise to bridge the gap between students and Congress. This year, Congress supported Chit Chats in the Student Center, enabling students to personally discuss issues with representatives one-on-one and receive immediate feedback.
The goals Student Congress set for this year are extensive. However, Mobley is receptive to student needs and proactive in implementing change to meet success. I hope to watch her continue to spread energy and enthusiasm in her next term.
--Sam Parker, junior
After reading the Editorial in The Franklin that was released on Friday, I would just like to say that I believe that Chelsi Mobley is a fantastic leader. She is friendly, energetic and passionate, and I would absolutely, without a doubt, vote for her again.
--Amanda Bryant, senior
Just a note to give thanks to Chelsea Mobley and the Student Congress (members) who were invaluable to me and the Student Health Center this year as we all worked very hard to deal with the H1N1 flu outbreak last fall. It was Student Congress that purchased the thermometers for each student and also spent hours organizing those and getting them out to everyone.
The Congress also volunteered to help with two flu shot clinics held here on campus and also received training to assist us with data entry into the State Immunization data bank. I don’t know what I would have done without them this year and will always be grateful to Congress for their efforts.
--Terri Nigh, Coordinator of Student Health Services
I don't agree with the article written about our Student Congress president. I think that Chelsi is a great president and is working as hard as she can for our campus. She does have our best interest at heart and I would definitely vote for her again!
--Kelsie Kanouse, senior
Chelsi Mobley is by far the most positive human being and best leader I have ever surrounded myself with. I would vote for her again in a heartbeat.
--Jessika Osborne, sophomore
--Baylee Pinnick, junior
Chelsi Mobley is, and has been, a great Student Congress President. Bashing her in your editorial was uncalled for and unprofessional. I pose this question for you: How do you know if the Student Congress this year is any different then the Student Congress from last year? Have you attended any meetings? Or met with any of your representatives? Have you even spoken to anyone from Student Congress?
I am not a member of Student Congress, but I frequently meet with our representatives to let them know my ideas or to ask them about the interesting things Congress is doing. I believe if the editors of this paper care this deeply about what Student Congress is doing, then they should actually have a conversation with a Congress representative and should send a reporter to each meeting. They should meet with representatives from Congress to learn about what Congress is doing and planning on doing, and not wait around and hope someone approaches them.
That is part of being involved on campus. They should attend the Congress Chat sessions. I attended one such session at Jazzman’s. One person from the newspaper showed up. This person did not take notes, but came late and left early. This person did not offer any ideas, suggestions or give any feedback to Student Congress.
Your editorial claims “campus dropped the ball” on voting for Chelsi as Student Congress President. It seems to me that The Franklin “dropped the ball” on providing coverage of Student Congress meetings and events. If these meetings and events had been reported on, you would see tangible proof that Congress has indeed changed for the better. This is largely due to the exceptional leadership of Chelsi Mobley. I hope Chelsi runs for Student Congress President again. She has done amazing things so far, and it will only get better. She acts exactly as a leader should. Being a friend is a central component to being an effective leader. People need to know you care about them before they will care about what you are trying to do.
I do not know what kind of leaders you idolize, but I idolize leaders who reach out to me and let me know they are my friend and my leader. That is someone I stand behind. That is a true leader – a leader like Chelsi Mobley.
--Katie Neff, senior
This letter is in response to two articles in today’s (2/19) edition of The Franklin. I was pleased to see the front-page article on Student Congress and its president, Chelsi Mobley. As Chelsi stated, Student Congress started off with a strong first semester, having implemented Griz Den and FC Out On the Town. She also indicated that her plans are works in progress and that she is considering running for Congress again.
Then I turned to page six and was disheartened to read the editorial stating that Chelsi isn’t fulfilling most of the promises she made while campaigning. The election was held last spring. Did you expect her to, in one semester, wave a magic wand and make everything she hoped to accomplish happen? Changes don’t usually happen overnight. It takes initiative, dedication and a strong work ethic (all of which Chelsi has) in order to make things happen. It also takes time.
--Judy Yarnell, Gift Processing Specialist at Franklin College
I could not be happier with Chelsi Mobley's leadership on campus. I do not know how many sleepless nights she has devoted to making Congress the best it can be and I feel very honored that she represents the students of Franklin College.
--Kaitlin Harmon, junior
--Kathleen Spencer, senior, Student Congress Senior Class Representative
In response the editorial, I do not feel it is appropriate to personally attack individuals on this campus for trying to make changes. I believe it takes the hard work of many people to have an organization run smoothly, and I do not believe that Chelsi Mobley has in any way hurt this campus by being the Student Congress president. I feel that inappropriate comments were made about her ability to be the President and face of Franklin College. Chelsi is one of the most dedicated, hard-working individuals I have met, and I believe she has put everything she has into Congress. Respect the people that put their time and effort into improving and helping our campus community, don't intentionally try to disrespect and hurt them.
--Amanda Trommater, senior
--Carrie Trommater, senior
I have made many mistakes in my short lifetime, and voting for Chelsi Mobley for Student Congress President was not one of them. Not even close. Student Congress provides so many opportunities for the student body here on campus, and Chelsi has been nothing but supportive and uplifting for this student community.
--Anne Kaylor, sophomore
