Trinity junior Tobie Wilder sees the role of Duke Student Government vice president for student affairs as one of support for other student groups.
If elected, he said he would work toward changing "the perception that DSG is the end-all, be-all of student concerns."
Wilder, who is currently president of the Black Student Alliance, said he believes the vice president for student affairs should be a helper-bringing various organizations together to discuss relevant issues. "Having all of those people there at one time would help differ everyone's agenda," he said.
In addition to strengthening campus organizations, Wilder said that during his tenure he would focus on items that could be changed during his one-year term, such as bolstering student services, ensuring financial aid and defining the future of residential life.
To improve student services, Wilder suggested Devils' Duplicates and the Office of Information and Technology should expand their hours of operation. He also said he would like to lengthen the hours of campus food eateries.
One issue has come to the forefront of student concerns is the current bonfire policy. Wilder said he hopes that students and administrators can find a compromise. "I think bonfires are a good thing and obviously there are safety issues," he said.
Wilder recently formed an unlikely partnership with Trinity junior Eric Weisman, president of the Interfraternity Council, and Trinity senior Worokya Diomande, president of National Panhellenic Council, to create and promote an alternative to the housing proposal created by the Upperclass Residential Planning Group.
Whereas the planning group recommended dispersing independent and selective group members, the trio of leaders suggested that the administration create additional selective houses organized around similar interests and lifestyles. Wilder emphasized that although the upperclass residential planning group's proposal has the appearance of equity, it will not provide the experience toward which the University should strive.
To improve the residential experience and promote an "academic/residential" environment, Wilder said he hopes new selective houses would consist of academic themes. As a Spanish major, he said he would enjoy the experience of speaking Spanish with his neighbors.
Wilder's only DSG experience came his freshman year when he was a member of the judicial board. "I've always wanted to go back to DSG after my freshman year," he said. In addition to his position as president of BSA, Wilder also served as business manager for the publications board last year.
"I see [the vice presidency] as an opportunity to do a lot of things I would like to do in terms of advocating student concerns," he said. "In that context, Duke leaders can truly influence what life is like at the University."
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