SBA Elections
Vote Now | Election Rules | Candidates
The Fall 2009 election period has passed.
Election Rules:
- All 1L Day (Full-Time) students can vote for three candidates for:
- 1L Day Senator
- 1L Day Senator
- All 3L Day students (class of 2010) can vote for two candidates for:
- 3L Day Senators
SBA Fall 2009 Election Candidates
1L Day Senator| 3L Day Senator
1L Day Senator
Phillip Basciano
My undergraduate institution, Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had a list of expectations of its students. One of the expectations read, "Be proud of Duquesne, show school spirit and support University activities." As a graduate of Duquesne I live by this expectation, and consequently desire to translate it to my time here at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. A driving force behind my involvement with student organizations as an undergrad, I seek to begin service to the Sturm College of Law community. As a first year law student, I appreciate the daunting task that is the three years set before us; however, I am more excited by the opportunities it presents. One of the opportunities I strive to take advantage of is the privilege of serving the Day Division 1Ls as a Senator in the Student Bar Association. Having attended all of the meetings since Orientation week, I am familiar with the purpose and workings of the SBA. Also, I am confident in my ability to serve my class as I have held positions similar to that of a Senator in the SBA in the past. During my junior year at Duquesne, a school of 10,000+ students, both graduate and undergraduate, I was elected the President of the Student Government Association, a position I served in from the latter part of my junior and into the second semester of my senior year.
As a result of my experience in student government, I am very comfortable in the role of representative, and have experience working with administrators to advance the needs and address the concerns of students. In particular, as first year law students, we understandably put in great time and effort to our studies. Our voice, however, may not resonate as strong as it can and should, due to our focus on schoolwork. While it is early on in our career as law students, and the issues impacting us may not have fully materialized, I am prepared to address them on behalf of my class when that time arrives. I wish to serve my class in strengthening our voice on issues that currently do affect the students of the Sturm College of Law, such as the hiring of new faculty and the development of a strategic plan for the College of Law, both of which I had exposure to as an undergrad through student government. I ask that you provide me the opportunity to advance the voice of the 1L Day Division students both in the Sturm College of Law, and the University of Denver as a whole, in electing me a Senator of the Student Bar Association. Thank you, and here's to the Class of 2012.
Brian Caplan
Hi. I'm Brian Caplan and I want to be your 1L SBA senator. In my view, the most important role of a junior senator is to take concerns and ideas from the 1L class and effectively represent and communicate them to the SBA board members. In my previous life I was a theatre director and performer. I have also been a bartender, producer, grant writer, Democratic County Executive Committee member, uncle, football coach, and swing dance instructor. My experiences are diverse but they all have the common thread of communication under extraordinary circumstances. Perhaps the most applicable job to the position of SBA senator is bartender. Let me be your 1L bartender and I will listen with captive ears to your joys and pains of law school; I will then do what I can through the SBA to increase the former while mitigating the latter. I don't shy away from conflict, I work hard, I don't BS and I will actively pursue what we all determine to be in the best interest of the 2012 JDs!
Brenden Desmond
I would like to participate in the SBA for various reasons, the most important being to increase student and faculty interaction as well as student activities that all law students would wish to attend. I am uniquely suited for the position due to a high level of interaction with a majority of my class, and my openness to our varying view points and ideas.
While we all know that the work we produce is an important aspect of our time here at DU, many of us get lost in this aspect of law school. However, equally important is our life outside of class. We must realize that we need to get out and have fun occasionally. That is why my focus on the SBA will be on the keeping the weight of law school from overwhelming students. I will continue to put together barbecues, trips to baseball games, and other activities so that every student may have a release from the stresses of law school.
In addition, I want to increase faculty and student interaction. While serving as a SBA representative, I will act as a conduit between students and faculty and I will encourage each student to be their own conduit. Professors and administrators are here to help students thrive in law school. Yet, they can teach us more than what we get in class. Therefore, I want to increase functions where staff and students interact. What they have to teach us extends far beyond the classroom and we should gain that knowledge.
Finally, as a SBA Senator, I will be open and approachable for all students. Students will feel comfortable contacting me with any problem they wish, law school or otherwise. I will serve as a sounding board and a support system for these next three years of our lives.
Thank you for your time and your support. -- Brenden Desmond
Christine Huszcza
I am running to be a senator on the Student Bar Association, representing the IL class of 2012. I am a great candidate for the SBA for many reasons. First, I am dedicated to the law school and I am dedicated to the other students in our class. I realize that I do not have all of the answers, and I find it incredibly important to listen to the ideas of those around me. I will always take input from any class member regarding my position and/or our law school. This is the only way to help our school meet its full potential.
Although I may not have all of the answers, I do have a few ideas that I feel will improve the Sturm College of Law. First, I will work hard to make law school an enjoyable experience for everyone. We hear nothing but horror stories from the first day of orientation until, well, probably the time we graduate. I would like to take steps to change this perception. It is not helpful to scare the 1L's out of law school before they even get into a classroom. A dose of reality is helpful, and even necessary, but I will work to make sure that that reality is coupled with a few words of encouragement. Introducing a program or two that will help students get their minds off of class for an hour or so is a possible way to accomplish this. Second, I would like to see the law school integrate further with the rest of the university. Many law students have no idea what is beyond our main doors, and I would like to change that. This campus has a lot to offer, and as an alumnus, I am the perfect person to demonstrate that. I feel that I have a lot to offer the SBA, and I would be proud to represent the 1L's as a senator.
Casey Leier
My name is Casey Leier, and I am asking for your vote for 1L Senator. Our class has a unique opportunity to shape the next three years, because we enter DU at a critical moment. The school is currently looking for a new dean and several new professors. With skyrocketing tuition, students want to know that their tuition and student fees are being wisely spent. Finally, just this year, the school is adopting new policies that will affect our class -- for instance, restricting alcohol at social events.
When the big decisions are made, I believe that our 1L class should have a seat at the table. I've been in the DU community for 6 years now; I know it inside and out. I know that I can be a resource when you have questions and an advocate when you have concerns.
My goals are to give our class a voice in the process, to work for more social events and networking opportunities, and to ensure that our class is well positioned to enter the job market in three years. My motto is simple: Students First. Always.
I encourage you to vote and hope to earn your support in the coming days. Thank you!
Sam Seiberling
Dear Fellow 1Ls,
My name is Sam Seiberling and I would like to be one of the 3 senators representing our class. Prior to election week, like many people in our class, my knowledge of SBA was limited. I do know SBA is the voice of the student body and influences many aspects of our lives. I think it is important our class is well represented. It would be an honor for me to do this while we are all in the process of getting to know each other. I am a very down to earth person and happy to talk with everyone. I will listen to your concerns and do my best to help resolve them. My year in SBA will focus on trying to impact extracurricular activities and other issues that directly affect 1Ls. The only promise I can make to each of you in the following year is my hard work and eagerness to help.
Sincerely, Sam Seiberling
Maureen Weiland
My name is Maureen Weiland, but most people call me Mo. Like all of you, I am a 1L here at the University of Denver, and like you, I am just beginning to adjust to law school! I am originally from Michigan, but I've traveled around quite a bit and I did my undergraduate work at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, Montana. At MSU I served as an elected student government senator, representing students who lived off-campus. After serving as a senator I was selected to be the student body representative to the Montana State Legislature for the 2009 session, and I worked as a registered lobbyist for the session. I lobbied on student-interest issues ranging from fair landlord-tenant regulations to increased monetary support for the state university system. If elected, I will work to represent our interests and promote changes that will improve student life here at DU. I will work to encourage good communication within the student population and between students and administration. I will also do my best to make sure we all have a good time here! I promise to help plan an AMAZING end of the year party, and encourage everyone to have a little fun between now and then, too!
3L Day Senator
Julie Andress
As a third year student, I have come to appreciate the role of SBA as facilitator between the student body and the administration. Additionally, I have come to appreciate the outstanding job that many of the school of law's administrative departments do on a daily basis. However, I believe that there is still room for improving communication and I want to be part of ensuring that students' opinions are heard. For these reasons, I am running for a 3L day senator position.
SBA senators have the task of making sure law students are informed of changes that directly affect all of us. If elected, I pledge to be available to meet with students about any questions or concerns, and present those issues to SBA when necessary. I will also strive to ensure students are apprised of and involved in issues that affect all of us, such as the dean selection process, improvements in DU's law school ranking and bar passage rates, and financial concerns. I am particularly interested in making DU as academically strong and diverse as possible, and am interested in advocating for my classmates' ideas for additional classes and organizations.
Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any additional questions for me. Julie Andress.
Colleen Kelley
As former President of the Sturm College of Law Student Ambassadors, I have experience with student organizations and interaction with the faculty and administration. Prior management experience enables me to work effectively with groups. I am an active participant in numerous SCOL activities. I hope to serve as 3L day Senator as a way to remain active in the law school community. In addition, it is my goal to assist my fellow students by improving their law school experience in any way possible.