As a civic engagement-based selective living group with many ties to the local community through various service and outreach initiatives, we feel that it is imperative for the Duke Student Government vice president of Durham and regional affairs to act as an ambassador to increase collaboration and interaction between the Duke and Durham communities and to work tirelessly to bridge the town-gown divide. We believe that sophomore Will Passo is the right candidate for the job.
Passo has a firm grasp of the difficult issues that he will encounter as vice president, including the escalating Trinity Heights situation and widespread off-campus crime incidents. He proposes tangible and logical solutions to remedy these problems, such as engaging with administrators and student leaders at peer institutions facing similarly strained town-gown relations.
Passo's vision to increase collaboration between the University and Durham through the arts is innovative and timely, especially with the construction of the new Durham Performing Arts Center. His desire to convert the information desk in the Bryan Center into a "one-stop shop for community service" is admirable, and will greatly aid students who are looking to get more involved in the local community but do not know where to begin.
While freshman Stephen Farver has had valuable experience on the DSG Durham and regional affairs committee and proposes good project ideas for the coming year (e.g. donating first-year summer reading books to Durham schools), he lacks the coherent vision necessary to the vice presidential role and would be able to accomplish his objectives as a committee member.
Passo, however, has the vision and know-how to succeed as vice president for Durham and regional affairs, and for this reason, we extend to him our highest recommendation.
Eddie Zhang
President, Ubuntu Living Group
Trinity '11
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