Manship School of Mass Communication Survey Answers: Senate

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Erica Esteves
Senate Candidate
Ticket: Leading the Way

1. How will you change the daily life of students in your college if elected?
Our college council initiatives include:
· More effective printing arrangements
· Create opportunities to use digital media skills
· Online scheduling for counselor visits
· Host diversity forum
· Manship guide of complementary majors and minor

2. What is the most important issue facing students on campus?
using the resources given to them

3. Where do you see the University in five years?
Hopefully the economy will be better, and budget cuts will not hinder our university. With this, I see our campus becoming more technologically equipped.

4. What will you change from the past administration?
Give the students more opportunities to be involved.

5. Why are you qualified for the position you're running for?
For the past year I have held a position on the UCFY college council, and been involved in several other student organizations. I am able to work with many different types of people. When given a task, I do not stop stop, until I have completed it or have done my best to do so.

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Zac Lemoine
Senate Candidate
Ticket: StudentsFIRST
Major: Mass Communication, Public Realtions
Year: Senior



1. How will you change the daily life of students in your college if elected?
Students are not being informed. There are many bills the senate debates that have a direct impact on Manship students. The Reveille is not responsible for relaying this information to Manship students and outlining exactly how it impacts them, I feel that is the job of the senators. In early March, I began serving the remainder of a senate seat for the Manship School. Senators are required to be available to the public for one hour a week to hear complaints, fear, concerns … basically to listen to the students. I am going to be in the Holliday Forum every Tuesday at noon and available to talk to any student if that time doesn't work. This allows me get a feel for what is on the mind of Manship students and gives them the opportunity to talk to someone who votes on their behalf and writes legislation that can affect them.


2. What is the most important issue facing students on campus?
Everyone is tired of hearing about budget cuts, but it is the defining issue facing LSU and all higher education institutions in the state. Cuts to LSU's budget can cause changes in every aspect of student life. This goes back to students being informed as to how these cuts can change their classes or organizations. I advocate responsible spending not only in the senate, but also throughout the University. It is essential to protect academics and organizations that have a direct affect on academic performance.


3. Where do you see the University in five years?
Five years is a long time, longer than many students attend LSU. It is my hope the Louisiana legislature will have altered the Constitution to protect education from cuts. As of now, education and healthcare are the two places the Legislature can cut funding. A change in the La. Constitution will show a shift in thinking, hopefully placing an emphasis on the importance of education. If this happens, I see the university excelling as a research institution and a place of higher learning. Louisiana's Flagship University should be the shining example of education in the state. If the Legislature doesn't take measures to protect higher education now, we will be in a much worse situation five years down the road.


4. What will you change from the past administration?
I want to try new ways of keeping students in the loop. One of the initiatives I like is changing the way mass communication e-mails are sent. We each receive about seven e-mails a week from Manship counselors. I would like to have one e-mail, similar to LSU Today. This e-mail will have announcements, organization meetings for the week and links to articles concerning the Manship School. In this e-mail, I would like to include a link to a blog I will begin writing. I plan on writing a weekly blog after each senate meeting detailing what legislation was discussed and how it can impact the Manship School. It may not be read by a single student, but it will be available. I will have time set aside to be in the Holliday Forum as required, but I will also actively seek out student opinion. A student may have no complaint at all, but some great ideas can be generated by conversation.


5. Why are you qualified for the position you're running for?
Aside from attending two student government senate meetings since taking the office this March, I have no experience in SG. Rather, I worked at The Daily Reveille for nearly two years as a video reporter and Online Media Editor. My experience in Student Media exposed me to various aspects of campus life; I was able to meet with Chancellors Jenkins and Martin, talk with Coach Paul Mainieri and interview more students than I wish to count. I understand how to investigate a problem, but through SG, I am now in a position to work on solutions.

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