Congratulations to Augsburg’s new 2012-2013 Day Student Government.

President: Patrick DuSchane

Vice President: AuBrianna Weatherspoon

Senior Class President: Daniela Bonilla

Junior Class President: Undisclosed

Junior Senators: Medina Husic and Zong Her

Sophomore Class President: Promise Okeke

Sophomore Senators: Priti Bhowmik and Derek Le

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Christine Smith is the weekend college student body president. She is a communication studies major from St. Paul. Houa Lor is the day college student body president. He’s a sociology major with a minor in political science, and he is also from St. Paul.

We talked with Christine and Houa about their responsibilities, challenges, and ideas. While their constituencies have some differences, it seems they also have a lot in common. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the presidents’ advice to the students they represent is very similar.

Congratulations and good luck to both Christine and Houa!

Why did you run for student body president?

Christine: I’ve done things like this before, and it was a good experience. And right now I have the time for it.

Houa: I tell my friends it’s a calling. I have been in several leadership positions, so this was just the next step for me.

What are your main responsibilities?

Christine: My responsibility is to help with communication between staff, faculty, the weekend senate, and the student body. I need to be a voice and an example to weekend students and contribute to the mission of the College.

Houa: My responsibility is to really listen to the students and to see what they are concerned about. I really want to be an advocate for students and a liaison between students and the faculty and administration.

What concerns are you hearing from students?

Christine: Students talk to me about parking and bus cards. My personal concern is that weekend students do not have the same interaction with staff and faculty that day students have. I don’t think they [students] know about resources, benefits, and amenities like the fitness center.

Also, I don’t think there is a sense of community in the weekend program, and that’s something I want to work to improve.

Houa: Students have a lot of financial concerns about financial aid and tuition. I’ve heard that through the three years I’ve been here, so it’s not new. Students want to work with departments on costs; for example, with food on campus.

What ideas do you have for making changes or improvements?

Christine: Weekend students are on a mission. They need their college experience to help them fulfill and reach their goals, so their education really needs to yield something. We are trying to make opportunities for students to network with employers while they are on campus. So many educated, qualified people can’t find the right fit once they graduate, and we want to help.

Houa: We are looking at the food policy and also the Augsburg Experience requirement. We would like to add criteria to make sure that students in leadership roles could use that experience to meet the requirement.

We didn’t want to set too many goals; instead, we wanted to come with a few ideas that could be accomplished this year. I told the senators that some ideas we have might not take effect this year. We may not see the results, but we still need to get the ball rolling.

What challenges do you face?

Christine: Finding the time to do everything—meetings, organizing, research, networking. I am also working on trying to adapt and be organized as things change. The weekend senate is new, and it’s always challenging when you have something new.

Houa: I think a challenge for students is how to feel empowered; they need to know that they have a voice. Student government is here to listen and make sure students know their opinions are valued. Sometimes I feel like I can only do so much, so it’s about helping students know who they can go to for that empowerment.

If you had the opportunity to speak to the entire student body, what would you say?

Christine: I would say, “Talk to the person next to you.” Education is a beautiful thing and can enhance your life and your family’s lives, but until you can communicate with people, you will be missing opportunities. Facebook and social networking are great, but meeting people face-to-face is how you make connections and build relationships with them.

Houa: One of the things I try to do is to make sure to focus on relationships, networking, and making connections. I keep the mission in the back of my mind and really try to live up to it. In order to be informed citizens, critical thinkers, responsible leaders, and thoughtful stewards, we need to build relationships with people where we can come together to have a conversation with each other.

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Read:

Most of you have been reading for a long time now, but this first advice is not your typical magazine or newspaper read. I am referring to the reading that requires you to find the main point and supporting details in a particular passage. Sounds easy? Because it is. But for me, it was much more of a struggle than anything…. The difficulty was not comprehension, but rather the lack of focus that was put into it. It is easy to quickly read an assigned chapter, close the book and go do something else. I am sure this is familiar to some of you. So remember to read your textbooks before going to class, and also take a few minutes to make marginal notes as a reminder of the main point and supporting details in each paragraph. At the end of your first semester, you want to be able to read with your eyes closed.

Write:

Every chance I get I enjoy writing personal reflections and poetry to soothe the mind and soul. …In the past two years of college, I discovered for myself that writing is a skill that is most crucial in any major even in sociology. …I have also learned that I still get intimidated with a 10-page paper assignment. But I tell myself; like poetry, writing an essay paper is more than just submitting it for a grade but is an art form that takes practice. It will be worth your while and college money to utilize the writing lab (located in the street level entrance of the library) or ask your English professors for assistance. Do not worry, it is only your fellow colleagues working in the writing lab and will not criticize you but will only make you a stronger writer. Remember, write not just to complete an assignment, but write to be good at it.

Speak:

One of the first classes I took here at Augsburg was public speaking. I knew it was a valuable skill to have but never thought I will be preparing a speech for the entire college. Am I terrified of public speaking? Absolutely! I am also afraid of heights and death. But last month, I jumped out of a plane at 13,000 feet going down at a speed of 150 miles per hour terrified of a parachute accident and how my parents will react for not letting them know. And here I am facing my number one fear: public speaking….

The art of speaking is more than that of your daily conversations, or voicing your thoughts and opinions. Most importantly, you must be able to articulate the materials you read and the papers you wrote. Many philosophers and educators will say that a student solidifies their knowledge when they are able to teach another person what they learned. So speak with confidence. Speak to learn.

As you get to know more about Augsburg. You will also find that “Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.” You must also make commitment to yourself to perfect the art of reading, writing, and speaking, not only to pass your classes but also to be good at it. I would like to leave you all today with a quote from my favorite poet and writer, Maya Angelou that reads, “Nothing will work unless you do.”

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Penh Lo, director of Pan-Asian student services at Augsburg, started the leadership survival camp last year as a way to give Augsburg student leaders a unique opportunity to discover nature and also to gain insight into their roles as leaders.

From Thursday to Sunday, students canoe, hunt and fish for their food, and participate in some challenging survival simulations. In one drill, they capsize a canoe and learn how to tip it back up. “In the midst of this,” Lo said, “I go out and tell them I can save one person who they pick.” After the simulation, the group talks about why they saved the person they chose. “This leads to discussion about why we choose people to work with us and about relationships and leadership,” he said.

On the last day, participants do a 20-30 mile canoe trip navigating with a map and compass. “They have to find me or else they don’t have lunch because I take the food with me,” Lo said.

All activities wrap up with discussion about what went well and what didn’t, about how the group worked together and what they could have done differently. Lo said he has been taking many males, mostly first-year students and students he meets in his work. “So we also talk about what it means to be a man and about developing as responsible individuals.”

At the end of the journey, the participants reflect on their last academic year and set one goal for the coming year. “We say it out loud,” Lo said, “because once we say it publicly, that’s where the accountability comes in.”

Zong Her was one of the students who attended this year. He wrote, “This trip challenged me physically as well as tested my mental will and ability to work together effectively in a group. With the honest feedback of my supporting peers I learned more about myself as an individual, a teammate, and a leader.”

Houa Lor, the Day student body president for 2011-12, reflected on his experience. “No food, no water, no dry clothes, lots of ticks, fatigue, dehydrated, no shelter, dangerous bears, and miles away from civilization on a secluded area. Survival Camp was not just all about surviving on limited food…. I was transformed by the relationships I made over the weekend, discovered a part of myself, and learned how one’s role can influence the lives of other people.”

See more photos from the 2011 Leadership Survival Camp on the group’s Facebook .

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