Just over 1,100 students cast their ballots during the Student Government Associations’ fall 2021 election this past week, choosing not only the freshman class cabinet for the year, but two Multicultural & Identity Senators: Jack Weitsen and Owenea Roberts.
On Aug. 18, Gabriella Colello, formerly elected as an M&I senator for the 2021-22 school year, stepped down citing a “perverse power dynamic” in SGA and the “toll” it takes.
This left two vacancies for the positions meant to give a voice to underrepresented students on campus, despite Colello saying in her resignation letter that she felt already established groups of oppressed identities, like the Multicultural Student Leadership Council, could “make great strides towards equity on campus, with or without an M&I senator in SGA.”
Colello ran unopposed for the M&I senator position last spring. So did Weitsen and Roberts this fall.
Helen Tran, vice president of QU Culture and the SGA Commuter senator, explains that it isn’t anything new that the students who fall under M&I representation are exhausted from trying to be that representation- often leading to unopposed runs, burn out, and even mistrust.
“Students from underrepresented communities feel obligated to educate others on how to be respectful and inclusive, especially last year with the cases of homophobia and racism,” Tran said. “Your college experience is simply not the same as everyone else’s. A lot of us also wish there [were] more people in QU who care about the same things as we do, but mostly feel the need to prove that we deserve to be in that space.”
SGA has been called out for its lack of diversity in the past, especially after the spring election led to an entirely white male executive board.
“At its face value there is an all white male e-board, and yes I am adding to that presence in SGA, however there are many diverse elements that aren’t necessarily viewable from the outside… that people don’t know about,” Weitsen said. “At this point I know all of us are uniquely qualified for our roles and Quinnipiac elected [us] in.”
Colello expressed her frustration in her resignation letter.
“I am disappointed in the lack of public recognition by SGA on its lack of diversity and representation,” Colello said.
If [SGA] want[s] to be known for being inclusive, we need to put in the work to create a space that’ll make people of marginalized identities feel represented.
Helen Tran, Vice President of QU Culture and the SGA Commuter Senator
Tran added that SGA’s reputation “highly depends on the members who are a part of it.”
“If [SGA] want[s] to be known for being inclusive, we need to put in the work to create a space that’ll make people of marginalized identities feel represented,” Tran said.
That’s why Tran and others are excited to welcome Weitsen and Roberts.
“From my perspective of the student body at Quinnipiac, I believe Jack and Owenea have a lot of work ahead of them, but there are so many students looking forward to the changes they plan to make,” said Jenn Greene, editor-in-chief of QU Culture’s Newsletter.
Both Weitsen and Roberts are transfer students, in their first year at Quinnipiac, a rarity for SGA candidates.
Weitsen attended the University of Tampa last year and transferred into Quinnipiac for the Law in Society and Political Science programs. He said his experience in Florida and as a recent prospective student of Quinnipiac will help him navigate his role and initiatives.
“There weren’t a lot of events to get involved with any sort of diversity, equity, inclusion and stuff like that [at University of Tampa],” Weitsen said. “What I’ve noticed here is there are those opportunities, but they aren’t advertised and a lot of people who would actually benefit from them don’t know they exist.”
I do have a very limited perspective because I’ve only been here for… maybe four weeks now, but I’m very diligent about seeing what needs to be changed and where it needs to be changed. And of course, I want people to reach out and tell me.
Jack Weitsen, newly elected SGA Multicultural and Identity Senator
But he also recognizes its limitations.
“I do have a very limited perspective because I’ve only been here for… maybe four weeks now, but I’m being very diligent about seeing what needs to be changed and where it needs to be changed. And of course, I want people to reach out and tell me. ” Weitsen said.
Roberts is an international transfer student, who came from Bermuda to the U.S. a little over a month ago.
“I was in a public school system [in Bermuda], so it was majority Black, I was always in Black schools… I would say it was less than 2% white people,” Roberts said. “So yeah, it was a big eye opener to be in the opposite, not being able to see people like me all the time.”
She said that like Weitsen, she thinks her recent experience looking at Quinnipiac as a prospective student and new student will give her a unique perspective and helped her realize what she wants to accomplish.
I want people to know that it’s safe and there is a well rounded multicultural community that comes from all walks of life.
Owenea Roberts, newly elected SGA Multicultural and Identity Senator
“When I applied to Quinnipiac I knew it was a PWI, and you know that’s the reputation of the school,” Roberts said. “But I want people to know that it’s safe and there is a well rounded multicultural community that comes from all walks of life.”
Students who have been at Quinnipiac a bit longer though say that it’s harder said than done.
“The issues they are tackling are complex and at a predominately white [institution] they may face the issue of getting people to listen,” Greene said.
But both newly elected senators assured that they are anticipating the challenges.
“I think the number one issue that I’m going to face this year is getting people to accept change. The world we live in, so many people are afraid. That’s why we have to have big goals now… but start small,” Weitsen said.
Roberts agreed. “It’s not just the university that we need to diversify. Diversify your community and your bubble… it’s all about opening up your mind.”
Tran said that it’s important they’re prepared for the pushback, from not just the student body but the organization itself at times.
Even though we’re members of SGA, there’s nothing wrong with recognizing and calling out the flaws of this organization.
Helen Tran, Vice President of QU Culture and the SGA Commuter Senator
“There will probably be moments where they feel like their initiatives are towards the bottom of SGA’s priority list, but if that’s the initiative they strongly believe will make a change, then they should stick with it and not take no for an answer,” Tran said. “Also even though we’re members of SGA, there’s nothing wrong with recognizing and calling out the flaws of this organization.”
Other students, while grateful that two passionate transfer students stepped up, warn them that as M&I representation on campus, with all the work that needs to be done, they also need to work hard to maintain their wellbeing.
“It is honestly a relief that someone in [their] position can bring more attention to these discussions,” Greene said. “[they] are taking on incredibly important positions that come with hard work and stress, so I hope they are able to prioritize their personal well-being… great work can only be done when those doing the work are healthy- mentally and physically.”
Despite the demurrals facing them, Weitsen and Roberts both echoed each other’s determination for “lasting” change.
“I don’t want anyone leaving, thinking ‘Okay, I didn’t get the most of my Quinnipiac experience because this is how I identify’. I want anyone, regardless of how they identify, to be a Quinnipiac student and proud and have an amazing experience,” Roberts said.
Weitsen agreed. He said he hopes he can create a cultural shift at Quinnipiac.
“When reflecting back, I want my biggest accomplishment to be that I feel like something has changed here… not structurally, not educationally, but as a community. I want to feel like people have grown and changed,” Weitsen said.
Weitsen and Roberts accepted their role Tuesday and started immediately working towards those goals. They are asking any students who have perspectives they would like to share or ideas they would like to see implemented to email them. They will also be announcing office hours in the near future.
