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ASSU Executive

The Executives

The ASSU Executives coordinate and oversee all of the day-to-day operations and activities of the association. The Executives are the chief liaison between the Association and all other bodies, both in the University community and outside.

David Gobaud ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
President

I came into Stanford as a hardcore Computer Science student. But after working as the ASSU Operations Manager on a lot of really exciting projects, I found that I really enjoyed using my skills to create tech projects to improve student life, like the ASSU Book Exchange and ASSU Student Events Calendar. But it was more than that. I realized though that I want to have a bigger impact on campus and work on bigger issues. It's work that I love and that I am dedicated to. I recently got involved with public service and organized the first ever Dance Marathon Hack-A-Thon. The event was one of the highlights of my Stanford experience because I was able to take my skills and something that I love and do a lot of good with it. The atmosphere and environment during the Hack-A-Thon was by far one of the most exciting and fun 24-hour programming sessions I have ever seen, and I want to be able to empower others to use their abilities to make more great things happen for the student body as part of the ASSU Executive.

Computer Science MS ('10)
Computer Science with Honors BS

Jay de la Torre ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Vice President

I've always been a direct service kind of guy, working in the community hands-on, seeing how I can best help in a more immediate sense. But as I grew and made friends in these communities, I came to see the strength that came not only from the work that was being done, but the strength that came from the people who were doing the work. After seeing what Jonny and Fagan have done to address issues the ASSU often ignored in the past (like mental health, eating disorders, and public service), I saw what the ASSU was capable of; after seeing students come together in the face of sweatshop labor, Prop 8, and budget cuts (among other things), I saw that the strength of the student body was felt in its unity. The ASSU and the student body should not be mutually exclusive; they should be inextricably linked. That is spirit of a true union. The idea that cooperation and community are the ultimate resources in achieving student goals is the driving force behind our mission to unite the ASSU institution with the student body.

Urban Studies with Honors BS ('10)
Minor in Ethics and Society
  • Greek Community Intern, Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness
  • Introductory Service Officer, ASSU Executive - Public Service
  • Fellow, Haas Center Public Service Leadership Program
  • Banking Associate, SSE Capital Group
  • Community Service Chair, Sigma Nu Fraternity (2008-2009)
  • Board Apprentice, Foundations for a College Education (2007-2008)
  • Fellow, Academy of Business Leadership (2007-2008)
  • Executive Director/Financial Officer, dv8 Hip Hop Dance Troupe (2007-2008)
  • Freshmen Council Representative (2006-2007)
  • Intern, Stanford Ad Agency/Directory (2006-2007)

Welcome

It's our pleasure to welcome you to the ASSU Executive homepage!

This is your one-stop location for everything ASSU Executive-related; please use the tabs above and the links to the left to navigate the website and to learn a little bit more about what we care about and who we are.

Please check this site often to find out what we're up to, and not just the Executive, but the student body as well. We really want to involve as many people as possible in implementing our projects, and are looking to help all of you implement your amazing ideas as well. As always, please feel free to contact us or any of our cabinet members should you have any questions or ideas, or even if you'd like to just check in and talk; we'd love to get to know you and see how we can make Stanford better for you.

This coming year is an extremely important one in Stanford's history, and it's up to all of us to help shape a better future for everyone; we're absolutely excited to be rolling up our sleeves and working alongside you to make a positive difference in the lives of all of our friends and colleagues in the Stanford community and beyond!

Forward together,
David Gobaud ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Jay de la Torre ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Online

To keep updated on what we are working on and upcoming events please use the following online resources.

  • ASSUExec Twitter - we regularly update this with our activities throughout the day
  • Executive Blog - we post our thoughts and musings here
  • Executive Facebook Page - a great way to keep informed about our events
  • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - best way to receive regular updates on our work

Agenda

Open & Transparent Government
  • Videotape town halls and put them on YouTube.
  • Bring key administrators to town halls to answer student questions
  • Advocate for putting Undergraduate Senate meetings on YouTube
  • Collaborate with dorm government, Frosh Council, and class presidents

Cost of Living and Equality
  • Support ASSU Executive election spending cap
  • Standardize Row room and board rates
  • Create and expand services like the ASSU Book Exchange

Health, Wellness, and Safety
  • Add sexual violence and relationship abuse awareness module to existing social event planning
  • Expand anti-bystander education
  • Ensure availability of healthy food options at TAP and Late Nite
  • Increase wellness programming
  • Advocate for affordable birth control

Diversity & Tolerance
  • Integrate and enforce Acts of Intolerance protocol
  • Add sensitivity training to party planning workshops
  • Actively seek out input from all communities
  • Create stepping stone role model TAs
  • Expand Safe and Open Spaces programming

Grads
  • Advocate for dependent, dental, and vision insurance
  • Work to have stipends include taxes and health insurance costs
  • Implement workshops on advisor relationships, and time and stress management
  • Integrate health resource education into existing grad events like TA training, journal clubs, and departmental orientation/NGSO
  • Ensure low cost grad housing
  • Lobby for immigration reform at the federal level with NAGPS
  • Expand grad social life and community
  • Increase grad engagement and outreach

Sustainability
  • Make Tresidder and Old Union 0% waste
  • Eliminate Styrofoam and unsustainable products from food service locations
  • Supply chain optimization and greening
  • Reduce number of deep freezers
  • Implement "Green Move-In" and "Green Move-Out"
  • Expand and measure the ASSU Green Store
  • Launch Green Party Label
  • Increase student education
  • Computer auto shutdown/hibernate
  • Reduce paper towel usage
  • Advocate for sustainable facilities

Public Service
Life & Academics
  • Address new housing draw concerns
  • @stanford.edu email for life
  • Continue to create and enhance services like the ASSU Student Events Calendar and the ASSU Book Exchange
  • More non-alcohol based social programming
  • Reform the party classification system
  • Expand equipment loan program
  • Protect free speech
  • Establish campus-wide sib program
  • Expand campus wi-fi
  • Advocate for all syllabi to posted online at http://syllabus.stanford.edu
The student body must have a voice in the budget cuts process. We are only two students, but we can harness the collective voice of the student body to show administration that students care and want a place at the table.

1. Continue and Expand Town Halls - We will expand the town halls started by the current Executives to include discussions with top administrators and key decision-makers, which will provide more information directly to the student body. We will also hold the town halls in different locations around campus, including dining halls and community centers, to ensure that they are open and easily accessible to all students.

2. Online Information
We believe as much information should be put online as possible so you can access it when you have time.
  • Videotape town halls and put them on YouTube.*
  • Advocate for putting Undergraduate Senate meetings on YouTube so that students can see what their elected representatives are doing.*
  • Start a blog with regular updates on ASSU activities so you will always know what we're working on.
  • Create new technology and utilize, expand, and enhance existing technology such as the Student Events Calendar.

*We plan to eventually transition to live webcasts of both town halls and Senate meetings, which will allow students to ask question in real-time over the internet.

3. Facilitate Student/ASSU Communication
  • We will utilize technology in new and innovative ways to reach out to the entire student body. We will hold weekly office hours in which you can talk to us in person, on the phone, and online.
  • We will work with Frosh Council, class presidents, and dorm government to keep you informed and solicit feedback. They are the experts at communicating at the class and local levels, and we want to collaborate with them to more efficiently and effectively communicate with you.

We will not be deaf policy makers. We know that we are only two students and what matters is the voice of the student body. We will actively seek out student input to learn about the concerns of students and issues the student body is facing. We understand that you are busy and may not have the time to talk to us in person, but you should not have to come to us to find out what is happening. Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible in a variety of convenient and accessible formats.
In these challenging economic times, we must work to reduce student cost of living and help students save money wherever possible. We must ensure that students of all socio-economic backgrounds have access to the same campus opportunities, in order to prevent the campus from becoming fragmented on the basis of wealth. If elected, we will:

1. Support Executive Election Spending Cap - This year we are the only slate to accept public financing under the ASSU pilot program and are limited to spending $1,500 on our campaign. We believe that a student's financial standing should not determine whether she or he has the chance to lead the student body. It is immoral and wrong that some of the most qualified students cannot run for ASSU Executive and that, if they accept public financing, they can be vastly outspent by wealthier competitors. Some institutions have caps of less than $50 for student government campaigns; while we are not advocating for a $50 cap, the existence of such low limits proves that effective campaigns can be run with very small amounts of money. We believe implementing a cap in the ASSU Executive election is the moral and just thing to do.

2. Standardize Row Rates - Row room and board rates need to be standardized and comparable to dorm and meal plan rates. This will guarantee that financial aid packages do not differ based on residence and will ensure that diversity in all its forms thrives on the Row.

3. Technology Utilization - David's technology experience uniquely positions us to help students save money by using technology in new and innovative ways. For example, we will enhance, expand, and better advertise the ASSU Book Exchange - which David created - to help students avoid the Bookstore and online shipping charges. We can also use technology to deal with the exorbitant cost of course readers by working with professors to put more course readers online
Sexual Violence and Relationship Abuse Prevention

The most effective means of combating sexual violence and relationship abuse is changing people's perception of these issues. The reality is that both do happen at Stanford, much more often than we believe and definitely more often than is reported. The unfortunate truths are that (1) there are stigmas attached to reporting cases of sexual and relationship abuse, both psychological and sociological, (2) too few people are aware of how prevalent these behaviors are on campus or what each entails, and (3) not many know how to effectively respond to such events, whether as a survivor or as a concerned friend. A major part of the fight will involve educating all students about the definition of each behavior and presenting ways of effectively responding to and aiding affected friends and colleagues. It is also essential that we hold perpetrators responsible for their actions and deter potential perpetrators from engaging in these behaviors in the first place. We pledge to work with entities like Wellness and Health Promotion Services, the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, the Office of Judicial Affairs, and the Women's Community Center to design effective methods to prevent abuse from happening and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

1. Expanding Bystander Education - It is important that no Stanford community member engage in bystanding behavior. We are all a part of this community and must support and protect each other. We will advocate for an anti-bystander scene in Real World Stanford. We will also measure the effectiveness of the I Am Not a Bystander campaign by conducting a statistically significant study; if it proves to be effective, we will promote it to the student body and consider making it mandatory for all incoming freshmen.

2. Adding a sexual violence and relationship abuse awareness module to existing social event planning - Organizers of campus social events are, by default, hosts of their guests and accept responsibility for their well-being at these events. We as a student body should make a greater effort to look out for our friends and colleagues, and awareness training will help social managers and their organizations be better hosts and create safer environments in which participants can feel comfortable and enjoy themselves.

Sexual violence and relationship abuse are very real problems here at Stanford. But they are problems we can address together. Victims of these offenses often are our friends, classmates, and colleagues, and we must work together to ensure that Stanford is a safe and welcoming space for all its community members.

Wellness

Student wellness is of the utmost importance. We will work to start an open dialogue on campus through increased education and programming about serious issues including stress, physical health, sexual health, eating disorders and disordered eating, mental distress and illness, and compulsive exercising. We will work with administrators and students to address these issues and the 18 recommendations established by the Student Mental Health & Well-Being Task Force Report. Below are some ideas we have, but this is not a comprehensive list; we welcome feedback and are eager to learn from your thoughts and experiences as well.

1. Wellness Resources Education - We will work to educate students about the wellness resources on campus and to ensure that they are not afraid to seek help. Through collaboration with PHEs and Wellness and Health Promotion Services, we will develop an educational program focusing on campus wellness resources such as Vaden, CAPS, The Bridge, The Wellness Room, and The SHPRC. The program, which will be presented in dorms by PHEs shortly after NSO, will help to initiate wellness dialog and educate students about campus wellness resources.

2. Ensure Availability of Healthy Food Options - Tresidder and The Axe and Palm lack good, healthy food options. This is a big problem, especially on weekends when some dining halls (such as FloMo and Branner) are closed. Eating healthy is extremely important to overall wellness, and we will work with Residential & Dining Enterprises to ensure the availability of healthy food options in Tresidder, The Axe and Palm, and Late Nite. We will actively seek out feedback on what healthy food options students want to see in the The Axe Palm and work to get them on the menu.

3. Increase Wellness Programming - We will utilize existing campus resources to host workshops on stress reduction, healthy relationships, nutrition, and more. We want these workshops to be out in the open - for example, in the main lobby of Old Union at lunchtime - so that they ignite the open dialogue that we want to start.

4. Advocate for Affordable Birth Control - Birth control must be affordable so that it is available to all students regardless of socio-economic status.
Diversity, in its many forms, is crucial to preserving and enhancing discussion, collaboration, and innovation at Stanford. Administrators and students alike have stressed the importance of preserving the diversity that makes Stanford a world-class institution. If elected, we will recruit a Chair of Diversity and Tolerance and a strong supporting team to implement the following policies:

1. Actively seeking out input from different campus communities - The current ASSU Executives have done an amazing job seeking the opinions and viewpoints of numerous students and groups on campus. We want to continue to reach out, and we will do so in a more proactive way. We pledge to actively go out into communities and ask about the issues that are important to them. This evaluation of the current climate of student affairs will allow us to better serve all the communities on campus and the student body as a whole.

2. Addition of sensitivity training to existing party planning workshops - Past party themes have offended students on campus because of the racial, ethnic, and gender stereotypes they portray. We will work with students from diverse backgrounds to establish sensitivity training within currently existing party planning workshops. Educating social managers about harmful stereotypes will ensure that party themes do not inadvertently hurt others, resulting in parties and events that are fun for - and inviting to - all students.

3. Promoting a safe and open Stanford - We believe that education and exposure to diverse communities will help decrease discriminatory behaviors and attitudes. We will support academic programs, initiatives, and organizations like Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, Feminist Studies, the proposed Queer Studies program, and the community centers (among others) as resources to educate the student body about the issues concerning these specific communities, especially prejudice and intolerance. We will also advocate for gender-neutral housing and making the campus more accessible for handicapped and transgender/transsexual students.

4. Pushing to integrate and enforce the Acts of Intolerance Protocol - The late Thom Massey, along with various administrators and students, helped develop the Acts of Intolerance Protocol - a process to address blatant and inadvertent acts of prejudice on campus. We will push to further refine the current available literature on the subject as well as the steps taken after an act has been committed. We believe that the educational and dialogue-centered response to reported incidents provides an amazing opportunity for learning, growth, and understanding among members of the student body.

5. Advocating for diversity in faculty hiring outreach - A diverse faculty creates a greater breadth of personal experience and allows a greater number of students to relate to, and develop close relationships with, their professors. We will push the University to always consider faculty candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and make-ups and to recruit from a large pool of graduate schools.

6. Creation of Stepping Stone Role Model TAs - The CS 106 Section Leader program allows undergraduates to garner valuable teaching experience and see their peers in positions of leadership. This program which is very diverse, provides an opportunity for students from differing backgrounds to experience working in academia. We hope to take this program and expand it to other introductory classes in different academic departments and programs.

Stanford is a world-class institution not only because of outstanding academics but because of the diversity that runs through the campus. We are committed to harnessing the full sway of the ASSU to keep diversity at the fore of student life. In doing so, we hope that we can maintain and perpetuate the feeling that diversity, in any form, is an important contributor to an amazing Stanford experience.
For many years only undergraduates have run for ASSU Executive, and they tend to work only on undergrad issues. This needs to change. The ASSU Executive has money and access to top administrators and must serve as a voice for the entire student body. Grad students need equal representation at the Executive level so that grad issues are worked on too. The Executive represents both undergrads and grads and only equal representation makes sense.

David is a Computer Science grad student living in Munger and has attended almost every GSC meeting this year. Jay is a junior majoring in Urban Studies with Honors. We are excited and ready to work on grad-specific issues, and we realize that many grad concerns are fundamentally different from those of undergrads and present their own set of challenges. We are ready to work closely with the GSC, and we will recruit a competent team of grad students to serve in our cabinet alongside undergrads. For example, we have already contacted a colleague in the med school who is enthusiastic about working on grad mental health. Finally, we recognize that some issues - such as dependent health care and federal loan rates - are bigger than Stanford and must be handled at the state and federal levels through The National Association for Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS), an organization made up of 70 universities and colleges and over 350,000 students.

Some of the issues we plan to work on are detailed below, but this is not a comprehensive list. Please contact us with your suggestions and feedback.

1. Engagement and Outreach - We know that your time is short and very valuable, but it is essential that grad students are informed about the ASSU's activities, especially during the budget cuts process. We will come to your happy hours to get feedback and discuss issues that matter to you. In addition, we will work with grad student leaders such as the GSC, grad student organization leaders, and class presidents in the professional schools to stay in touch with the concerns of the different grad communities.

2. Dependent, Dental, and Vision Insurance - The lack of dependent, dental, and vision health insurance is a serious problem. The lack of dependent health care poses the biggest challenge for international spouses and children that do not qualify for state and federally subsidized health insurance. In addition, there is the fear that the California Healthy Families Program, which many grad families have purchased, will cease to exist because of the financial challenges the state is having. There is also the potential problem for international students if Obama enacts a national health plan that does not cover international citizens and Stanford ends Cardinal Care. Stanford is also currently unable to self-insure for health insurance like it does for other insurance because of state limitations. We do not claim to have the answer to solve this complicated issue but we know it needs worked on at the Executive level. We pledge to advocate for dependent health care to top Stanford administration and lobby at the state and federal level for health care reform through NAGPS in conjunction with the GSC.

3. Grad Wellness - The serious issue of grad wellness poses a different set of challenges from that of undergrad wellness. While the problems - such as depression, stress, and conflict - may be the same, the situations are fundamentally different. A grad student's network is not only formed around their residence but also their school/department and lab. The focus often times is their advisor, classmates, and lab mates. We also recognize that personal relationship issues are very different because they may not involve a boyfriend/girlfriend, but rather a husband/wife and children. Finally, working with an advisor can also be a very stressful experience, and knowing how to set boundaries and create a respectful work environment is not always easy.
  • Resource Education - We believe that a major problem is lack of knowledge about existing campus health resources. We will work to distribute information about campus resources such as Vaden, CAPS, and The Bridge at events that many grad students attend - such as TA training, journal clubs, departmental orientations, and NGSO.
  • Workshops - We will advocate for workshops to help educate grad students about time and stress management, conflict resolution, and advisor management. It can be challenging to create a healthy work environment with an advisor, and we believe one way to address this is through education and learning how to set boundaries.

4. Grad Housing - Grad students should be able to choose from a variety of housing options spanning all price points. The loss of Crothers and Crothers Memorial makes this a more serious issue, and we will ensure that low-cost housing options are available. The majority of housing options need to remain as the mid-range Rains/Lyman type, with some unfurnished units as an option for grads with furniture. We are aware of student concerns - such as the miniature Dwyer kitchen units installed in some EV units, the room size discrepancy, and the fear that students on an academic-year contract lose their spot in the draw - and we will make sure that Housing understands and seriously considers these issues. We will also work to improve the roommate surveys used in the matching process; one idea is to add an age preference to the survey. Again, please give us your input on the changes that you would like to see.

5. Stipends and Cost of Living - Currently, stipend calculations do not account for taxes or health insurance costs, and this is something we will work to change. Additionally, we know that the Bay Area is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, and it is important that stipends reflect this. Stipends must also keep up with inflation and the constantly increasing cost of living. Finally, it is unfair that federal Stafford loan rates were recently cut for undergrads but not for grads, and we will work to address this issue through the NAGPS.

6. Immigration Reform - Current immigration laws pose significant problems for international students; visa delays are even having the adverse affect of causing international conferences to be hosted elsewhere. This is unacceptable and we will work with NAGPS on immigration reform at the federal level to make life easier for international students. We want to make the process of entering and leaving the country more efficient and also make it easier for international students to get jobs when they graduate.

7. Grad Community - The grad community is currently fractured as a result of many factors, including residence building design, the fact that grad students move in over a three month period, and the need to manage privacy concerns in residences while fostering an active and social community. We know this is not something that will change overnight, but we are dedicated to understanding and working on these issues.
  • There must be variety in housing atmospheres to address differing privacy and social community needs. One idea is to assign noise level preferences to residences to give students more control over their environment.
  • There is also a large population of grad students that would prefer something between undergrad life and grad life as it currently exists at Stanford.
  • Even little things such as cafe design can cause problems. For example, in The Clark Center Cafe, the long thin tables create a very unwelcoming atmosphere, and it can be awkward to sit directly across from someone you don't know. Big round tables would be much better.
  • We will work to improve the campus-wide grad community by coordinating inter-department/inter-school happy hours to foster a more cohesive grad community.

We do not have all the answers to these important issues, but we have ideas and we welcome your feedback. We will also reach beyond Stanford conduct research and learn how these issues are handled at our peer institutions.
The health of our planet is vital - we will champion sustainability and integrate sustainable habits into every facet of the University and everyday life, as well as expand programs to promote a healthy planet. We have conducted extensive research into concrete ways to enact significant, measurable change. We have learned about methods to reduce the carbon footprint of Stanford, optimize and green the supply chain, reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, and make progress towards eliminating Styrofoam and other unsustainable products on campus. In addition, working on campus sustainability is one of many ways students can contribute in times of budget concerns. For example, increasing recycling around campus saves real money (landfill tipping fees are $44/ton compared to recycling, which generates salvage revenue). We want to green not only the ASSU but the entire 8,000 acre Stanford campus, and the way to do this is through partnership with the University at the highest levels. From our research and meetings - with both student leaders and administrators - we have developed the following plan to accomplish our sustainability goals. The ideas we have are big and we will not be able to address them alone or even with our entire cabinet. To make progress on these issues as quickly and efficiently as possible, we will recruit a Green Corps of students that will work closely with our Chair of Sustainability on the following projects:

1. Make Tresidder and Old Union 0% Waste - Currently Union Square in Tresidder uses compostable silverware, plates, and takeout containers but there are no composting bins in the dining area due to fear of compost contamination. The compost facility that receives Stanford's compostable material has zero tolerance for contamination, meaning that if the compost is contaminated with non-compostable items, the facility can either reject it or fine Stanford. For Tresidder and Old Union to have dining room composting, all Tresidder eateries must fully support the initiative in order to avoid contamination due to consumer confusion with how to dispose of waste.

We have researched the issue and are ready to work with the administration to start dining room composting in Tresidder and Old Union and work towards making the buildings 0% waste. For example, Union Square must use Pepsi cups because of a contractual obligation with Pepsi but Pepsi currently does not offer a compostable cup. We will harness the voice of students and work with Procurement and Stanford Dining to pressure Pepsi to provide a compostable cup. We will also work with the Director of Unions to implement green-friendly leases that will require Tresidder vendors to participate in the greening of the unions. We will then work with PSSI (Peninsula Sanitary Service, Inc. - the garbage and recycling company used by Stanford) to install the composting bins. Not only is eliminating waste in the unions good for the environment but it saves the university real money in landfill diversion and increased salvage revenue from recycling.

2. Eliminate Styrofoam and Unsustainable Products in Food Service Locations - We will work to have Row Houses, Suites, Toyon Eating Clubs, and the approximately 37 campus cafes purchase sustainable products together through Procurement and Stanford Dining. This coordination will allow for reduced rates on the products and will make progress toward the goal of eliminating Styrofoam and other unsustainable products from food service locations. We have already met with the relevant people and know how to deploy the Green Corps to help accomplish this goal. In addition to Styrofoam, we will push for reduced bottle water usage on campus and the use of bottled water made with 50% recycled content.

3. Supply Chain Optimization and Greening - There are currently ~14,000 suppliers servicing the University, which results in countless delivery trucks on campus and increases Stanford's carbon footprint. We are ready to cooperate with Procurement, Row Houses, Suites, and Toyon Eating Clubs to optimize the delivery supply chain by applying the Six Sigma business management strategy. This will enable us to green the chain, green supplies, minimize packaging, save kitchens money, and increase the quality of food while decreasing its cost through combined buying power.

4. Reduce Number of Deep Freezers - There are approximately 650 deep freezers in the medical school owned by ~290 researchers. Many of these freezers are old and poorly insulated which requires their compressor to run constantly and wastes considerable electricity and money. Many of these freezers contain archive content that isn't accessed for years and does not need to be stored in these inefficient freezers on campus. We will deploy the Green Corps in collaboration with Procurement to inventory the contents of these freezers and ship the archives off to BioStorage Technologies, Inc (a company that offers a secure location in Indiana - away from earthquakes - as well as redundant power and overnight shipping back to campus). This reduction of deep freezers in use on campus will result in immense electrical and monetary savings. The next step is to replace the old deep freezers with new efficient ones (that only require a compressor to run 8 hours a day, for example) supported by a rebate incentive program for researchers.

5. Implement "Green Move-In" and "Green Move-Out" - This year PSSI ran a trial "Green Move-In" program at a Wilbur dumpster during freshman move-in. PSSI assigned a worker to monitor the dumpster and inform people about what part of their trash was recyclable. This experimental program was enormously successful - waste was reduced by ~80% at this dumpster. In addition, many students (and parents!) were educated about recycling. We will expand this program and also implement a "Green Move-Out" using the Green Corps. Not only will this reduce waste during move-in and move-out but it has the added benefit of educating people so that they will recycle in the future.

6. Expand and Measure the ASSU Green Store - Currently the ASSU Green Store only sells cups for cold drinks. We will expand the store to include products such as hot-drink cups, reusable grocery bags, compostable waste bags, inexpensive green office supplies, and other cool green items (like the Sanyo Eneloop Powerpack Battery Charging Kit) to help students integrate sustainable habits in their everyday life. It is not enough to simply provide recyclable products; we must also ensure that they are being disposed of properly in order to measure the effectiveness of the program. We will work with PSSI to conduct waste audits to verify that the Green Store cups are being recycled. In addition, we will create a website that details how the ASSU Green Store was created and operates so that other schools can create their own Green Store.

7. Launch the Green Party Label - We will finalize the Green Party Guide - which contains information for planning sustainable events - by working with PSSI, and we will collaborate with the Office of Student Activities to integrate the Guide into the OSA Party Planning Guide. We will also develop a Green Party Label which will signify that an event meets certain sustainability standards.

8. Student Education - Educating students about sustainability is key and everyone must contribute to the campus sustainability effort for it to be a success. We will take several steps to improve communication about sustainability issues:
  • Work to expand sustainability education in NSO and make it more memorable. We have many ideas for NSO including an educational email, a speaker event, and having a scene in Real World Stanford that addresses sustainability.
  • Work with Stanford Dining to expand the Stanford Dining Environmental Faculty Speaker Series so that more students have the opportunity to interact with green faculty.
  • Communicate with students about new sustainability initiatives (for example, informing students of the water savings from reduced-flow shower heads). This will make the process of greening Stanford more transparent and readily accepted.
  • Educate students about the negative effects of wasteful behavior (for example, dining hall cups, plates, and utensils that are lost or trashed costs Stanford Dining ~$90,000/year).

9. Computer Auto Shutdown/Hibernate - Two weeks ago the following article was published Report: U.S. companies waste $2.8B per year powering unused PCs. Stanford should not contribute to the estimated 20 million tons of CO2 that will be emitted (roughly equivalent to 4 million cars and $2.8 billion in power) this year due to computers that are powered on when not in use. We will work with ITSS to develop and deploy software that automatically shuts down or hibernates computers during closed building hours.

10. Green Jobs - We will develop a sustainable jobs email list. We will also work with the CDC to provide information about green jobs available and insure that career counselors are aware of green job opportunities.

11. Reduce Paper Towel Usage - We will put These Came From Trees stickers on every paper towel dispenser on campus (each sticker saves one tree/year or ~100lbs of paper/year). We will implement a trial program in Old Union with stickers paid for by Executive funds and conduct waste audits and evaluate the impact of the stickers. If the data show the stickers are successful, we will then expand the program across campus.

12. Advocate for Sustainable Facilities
  • All lights should be on auto-sensors
  • Less water heavy ground coverings should be used around campus
  • All toilets should have a half flush feature

We know that this is only the beginning of greening Stanford. We will continue to conduct research and seek student input on new sustainability methods and initiatives.
Public service has been an integral part of Stanford since its inception, literally born from Leland and Jane Stanford's pledge to help other people's children. When creating their vision for the University, the Stanfords wished to nurture useful citizens who would be practical leaders. We will continue to promote that spirit of service through the following policy suggestions:

1. Giving back to University staff - There are thousands of people who contribute to the amazing experiences we have here at Stanford. Many of them are the staff members who work extremely hard to ensure that we live in clean, comfortable environments and who provide valuable services to the student body. During these trying economic times it is important to remember that they have been affected as well, often more significantly than us. We will support these dedicated people by creating tutoring programs for their children and financial literacy programs that will help them better manage their assets. They have given so much to us; it is important we do the same for them.

2. Outreach to non-traditional sources of public servants - We want to provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds, interests, and majors to engage in public service, especially students with technological and engineering backgrounds. We will organize and support informational events, work with tech VSOs to find more service opportunities, and collaborate with the CDC and the Haas Center to get these students on the track to a potential career in public service. David's experience organizing the Dance Marathon Hack-A-Thon showshow important techie students are in shaping the success of nonprofit organizations; we hope to expand these efforts to incorporate more students who may be unsure of how their knowledge and skills can be used to create social value for others.

3. Following up on the Service Summit - The current ASSU Executive has worked tirelessly to organize and put on the Stanford Service Summit, which will help define the University's vision of service for the next 10 years. We will take the lessons learned from this summit and apply them immediately in hopes of better engaging students in public service opportunities and making service one of the core elements of University life.

As members of the Stanford community and citizens of this planet, we have a huge stake in our collective quality of life. Because we have been blessed with so much, it is only right that we take what we have been given and share the benefits with those who may not be so lucky. This is one way we can all act as "cultured and useful citizens" as the Stanfords wished over 100 years ago.
Stanford has a vibrant and diverse student social scene and an interconnected campus that is welcoming to all students, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. This is a fundamental part of our University, and these elements of student life must be protected and expanded. We are committed to controlling the rising costs associated with parties and events, supporting VSOs, and working to reduce VSO-related costs, and increasing student activity spaces while making them easier to reserve. Below are some specific issues we are prepared to work on, but this is not a comprehensive list. If there is an important issue that is not on this list, please contact us so we can discuss it with you.

1. New Housing Draw Concerns - We are aware of concerns surrounding the revamped housing draw, such as the fear that the new priority system will break apart the coop communities. We discussed many of these issues with Student Housing to ensure that they are aware of student concerns and plans to address them. We will continue to actively seek out input from students on the new draw system, and we promise to relay any concerns and issues to Student Housing.

2. @stanford.edu For Life - After using an @stanford.edu email address for years, it should not simply vanish at graduation. Given that friends, family, fellow students, professional contacts, and others communicate with us through our @stanford.edu email addresses for years, students should have the option of continuing to use their Stanford email accounts after graduation. David has been working with ITSS and the Registrar since last year on a plan to address this issue.

3. Expand Safe and Open Spaces - All spaces and events on campus must be safe and welcoming to all students, regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation. We will work to expand the Safe and Open Spaces program to new communities so that more students are able to benefit from this excellent opportunity.

4. Technology Utilization - Technology can be used in new and innovative ways to support students and VSOs. David's technical experience - he created the ASSU Student Events Calendar, the ASSU Book Exchange, the Stanford GER Treasure Hunter, and co-founded Flowgram.com - makes him perfectly suited for this project.
  • We will design an online Old Union Room Reservation system. We discussed this issue with the Director of Unions and are prepared to develop a streamlined website; it will be simple and easy to navigate, and it will use WebAuth to provide needed security without the annoyance of account creation.
  • Syllabi should be readily available and easily accessible so students can make informed decisions when signing up for classes. We will work to see that all syllabi are located online at http://syllabus.stanford.edu.
  • We will develop new initiatives that make it easy for you to know what is happening on campus. For example, we have all seen the countless, multi-megabyte emails advertising events on campus that are sent to many lists multiple times. We will develop an online bulletin board where e-flyers are posted once and sorted by category, allowing you to subscribe to just the categories you want to see. This will increase e-flyer effectiveness, reduce spam, and save paper as the bulletin board becomes more efficient than paper flyers.

5. More Non-Alcohol-Based Social Programming - We know that alcohol-focused events are not for everyone. We will work in conjunction with class presidents, VSOs, the Office of Student Activities, dorm government, Frosh Council, and campus locations such as the CoHo to see that there is adequate non-alcohol-based programming. Some ideas are Spring BBQs with water balloons/slip 'n slides/etc, increased CoHo events, athletic TV viewing events in Old Union/The Axe and Palm, and Guitar Hero/Rock Band/video game competitions/parties.

6. Party Reform - The current Office of Student Activities party level and governance system is unable to correctly incentivize groups to throw all-campus parties. We will work with the Office of Student Activities to reevaluate party management on a broad level and work towards ensuring that all-campus parties happen regularly. We will also recalibrate the party levels and implement a classification analogous to a "2.5" party.

7. Equipment Loan Program - In these hard economic times we must support VSOs and work to lower the cost associated with hosting events. One of the Undergraduate Senate Appropriations Committee Co-Chairs informed us that a major VSO cost is Event & Labor Service charges for the labor associated with renting chairs and other equipment. To help reduce these costs we will work to expand the ASSU Table Loan Program to include other items such as chairs, podiums, projectors, and sound systems.

8. Protect Free Speech - Free speech is critical in an academic institution. It allows the free flow and sharing of diverse ideas and viewpoints. While we may not always agree with everything that is said in White Plaza, free speech must be strongly protected. We will work tirelessly to defend White Plaza as a free speech zone and ensure that partisan rallies are allowed to be held there.

9. Establish a Campus-Wide Sib Program - Many communities on campus have developed strong interpersonal relationships through their Big Sib/Lil' Sib programs, which provide students, especially new students, a chance to make connections and develop lasting friendships. We believe that implementing a larger program that encompasses a greater amount of students will lead to greater community and interconnectedness within the student body.

10. Expand Campus Wi-Fi Access - Wireless internet should be available anytime in any residence to support students and their academic work, but unfortunately there are wireless problems in many dorms due to weak signals and a lack of guest IPs. One of the primary reasons for this is a massive increase in the number of devices that constantly use an IP (such as iPhones). We have the necessary technical background to work effectively on this issue, and we will collaborate with ITSS to see that new network address spaces are assigned to all residences to increase the number of available IPs.

Cabinet

If you're not sure which department your question/comment/concern falls under, just email our Chiefs of Staff and they'll help you from there.

Name Position Email
Andy Parker Co-Chief of Staff This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bennett Hauser Co-Chief of Staff This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ryan Woessner Legislative Liaison This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fiona Hinze Disabilities and Accessible Education Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Julia Feinberg Disabilities and Accessible Education Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Anthony Cruz Diversity & Tolerance Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Michael Tubbs Diversity & Tolerance Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jessica Tsai Graduate Health & Wellness Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jon McNaughtan Graduate Outreach This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Deonne Castaneda Marketing & HCI Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Salone Kapur Service Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Eli Pollak Sustainability Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Eric Knudson Sustainability Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jeff Wear Technology Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Riddhi Mittal Technology Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Alisha Tolani Undergraduate Health & Wellness Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Amanda Mener Undergraduate Life, Academics, Cost of Living, and Equality Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Adrienne Pon Undergraduate Outreach Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Britt Kovachevich Undergraduate Outreach Co-Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ben Laufer Undergraduate Social Chair This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Office Hours

Our office hours are Sundays 1PM-2PM in the back of Old Union by the TVs. Feel free to talk to us about anything: your favorite Stanford memory, your fear of failure, your eclectic mix of Tibetan teacups, your love for Finnish opera, whatever. We just want to hear from you. We will also be available during office hours on Google Chat at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sincerely,
David Gobaud ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Jay de la Torre ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

On 9/27/09 we will not be having office hours as we will be attending a meeting off campus.

On 11/7/09 we will not be having office hours as we will be attending Stanford's first Campus Camp Wellstone.

Contact Us

You can reach us by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We also have office hours.

Sincerely,
David Gobaud ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Jay de la Torre ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )