Four new members join ranks of Student Congress for spring semester

Student Congress inducted four new members as representatives at Wednesday’s meeting

Each, with a different reason for running, got in without the need for an election. Since there were four seats open and four candidates, they were all accepted. President of Student Congress Nick Kerr said he had hoped to have more, but was surprised to have four.

He said he hopes the new members will bring new and fresh ideas to Student Congress as well as be representative of what Student Congress stands for.

“A lot of people want change,” said freshman Mandie Waling, one of the four new representatives.

Waling said she hopes that joining Student Congress will help her reach her goals for the campus.

“I’m going to represent the student body,” Waling said.

She said she wants the student body behind her when she fights to have the smoking ban enacted, which is her main concern on campus. She has also heard a lot of concern about the food served on campus.

Chelsi Mobley, another freshman, is a new transfer student this semester, but is excited to see where she can help the campus. Since being president of her class at Butler University, she has learned that anyone “can make a lasting impact by bringing energy to the campus.”

Originally from the city of Franklin, she said she feels it is a connected campus, and she wants to work with fellow students to improve it.

In his last semester here, senior Chris Pribush said feels that he “owed the school something.” He said wants to change the way that students communicate with each other and the professors.

Junior Eric Bradner elaborates on this same theme.

“Student Congress is an advocacy group. I feel like the students, at times, don’t have a voice,” he said.

Bradner is a columnist and former editor of The Franklin.

Bradner has a very distinct mission. He said he wants to slow down the increasing cost of tuition, which is rising faster than inflation.

He said feels that Student Congress is just the forum he needs to get his point across.

“Any way to slow down the increase is worthwhile,” Bradner said.