YCC Elections: A Gadfly’s Ballot

Last semester, I was asked by the Herald to write an opinion article to go along with an opinion piece written in partnership with the Yale College Council (YCC). What came to be my take on “Yale’s Compliant Caporegime” wasn’t intended to cause much of a stir. However, several emails and random comments on Cross Campus later, it was made clear to me that there was a market for further writings on the YCC. Thus, it feels appropriate for me to give my two cents on the elections this week, with some healthy snarkiness sprinkled in here and there.

For each position, the candidates are ranked based on my preference. I’ve primarily made my decisions based on candidate statements and past activities, as much as I have been able to research. I’ve tried my best to separate the personal from the political and not just throw support behind friends; if I passed a candidate up, it’s not meant to be a judgement of them as a person, and congrats to any of the candidates if they win! It’d do this campus some good to learn how to separate our professional reputations and lives from our personal ones.

I also politely ask that nobody take these endorsements as gospel, or take them as an insult. These things are subjective; whatever thoughts you have are just as valid as mine. I just chose to publish mine in a student magazine because I have a fat mouth.

Presidential & Vice-Presidential Candidates

In the YCC, presidential and vice-presidential candidates run on joint tickets . . . I’ve always found that practice a little silly. You can vote for them separately, though, so I’ll cover them separately.

YCC President

John Robert Walker, ES ’28—In the end, what sets John Robert apart from the rest is his recognition of the intersectionality of the consequences of Yale’s actions. He is the only presidential candidate who consistently and explicitly calls out Yale’s complicity in ICE, the Gaza Genocide, and New Haven’s troubles in particular, and his legacy with the Endowment Justice Collective gives him the experience to tackle it properly. He understands that getting results from the administration demands real unified pressure, and with such unified pressure, even divestment from human rights abuses, reversing Yale’s budget cuts, and a $22 minimum wage for student workers is achievable.
Sahra Wahedi, PC ’27—Among her fellow candidates, Sahra stands out for advocating for a number of policies and reforms that go beyond simply repairing the damage of the current Yale administration. Her advocacy for free-tuition below $200k and divestment from weapons manufacturers demonstrates a strong understanding of Yale’s impact, which gives strength to her calls to reverse budget cuts. However, her platform isn’t as explicitly pro-Palestine and anti-ICE as it could be, as John Robert’s campaign demonstrates, and his direct engagement with student activists leaves Sahra in an honorable second place.
Alex Chen, MC ’28—This is a difficult decision for me. When I published my first article on the YCC, Alex had personally reached out to me and scheduled a dinner with me to discuss my concerns with the group. To my pleasant surprise, he seemed to actually listen and consider what I had to say; I’m genuinely grateful for that. I’m also deeply impressed with the level of fighting spirit against the administration that he embodies in his campaign. However, my decision ultimately comes down to his relative silence on divestment, compared with John Robert and Sahra. Nevertheless, I congratulate Alex on a great term as YCC Senate Speaker; his successor will have big shoes to fill.
Remy Strichartz, ES ’29—Remy directly addresses the ridiculousness of the size of Yale’s endowment compared to its recent budget cuts, his critique of Yale being “pay-to-play” being very apt. Matching reversals in budget cuts with a $20 minimum wage for student workers is also appealing. However, I felt that these important positions were advocated for more strongly and with greater intersectional acknowledgement by other candidates. Remy’s status as the only Class of 2029 candidate is an additional point of concern.
Cemre Keles, SM ’28—Disrespect; that is a core problem of the relationship between the student body and Yale’s administration, and Cemre recognizes this. The motto that “nothing is given” gives his campaign a proudly aggressive tone when it comes to protecting student rights that I like quite a bit. However, the lack of connecting these action items with some of the root causes and systemic consequences of Yale’s actions threatens to have this momentum eventually lose steam.
Paul Park, BF ’27—Paul’s assessment of the YCC’s structural issues and failings to hold the Yale administration accountable appealed to me. His breakdown of the YCC’s responsibilities with the C.A.R.E. acronym shows a clear diversity in his agenda, emphasizing his focus on FGLI students, cost of living, and academics. However, his lack of connecting Yale’s budget cuts with larger questions surrounding the endowment is not ideal. I also have my own doubts about the “retroactive Credit/D/F” campaign that is supported here; it feels needlessly antagonistic toward professors, when we should be building solidarity with them against the administration’s budget cuts and other controversial actions.

YCC Vice-President

Brendan Kaminski, SY ’28—Brendan’s assessment of the state of college life shows a strong understanding of the problems it faces; his acknowledgement of the endowment and ICE is an important part of this. His legacy of negotiating for dining improvements, Adobe support, and collaborations with the New Haven community are also impressive, as is his plan to support cultural centers. Brendan clearly demonstrates a knack for peaceful policymaking that makes him a great fit for the Vice-President position.
Michelle Jimenez, MY ’28 —Michelle emphasizes the importance of fighting for both students, Yale staff and the local New Haven community, demonstrating a strong grasp on the intersectionality between those communities and the importance of solidarity between them. She demonstrates a clear understanding of how to negotiate with Yale, and how she’d work with New Haven schools to implement programs that would help Yale make up for its societal debt. On paper, I would prefer Michelle over Brendan; however, I believe that Michelle would be more impactful if she were to win her campaign for senate, as having a strong pro-divestment base in that body will prove critical.
Briana Dubon, DC ’27—There’s a great amount of love for the council and the student body shown here, and Briana’s vision for a more transparent and accountable YCC to serve students is deeply appealing. I truly feel proud of our campus community reading her words. However, I feel that other candidates better acknowledged the root causes and consequences of Yale’s lack of cooperation with the YCC and the wider student body.
Cemre Keles, SM ’28—While Cemre’s “nothing is given” platform is nearly as appealing here as it is for the respective presidential campaign, it is likewise held back by a lack of connecting Yale’s actions with larger questions surrounding systemic issues and abuses.

Senator Candidates

For the Senate, residential colleges with two or fewer candidates will be skipped, because there’s no fun in commenting on a guaranteed victory. That’s quite the shame… there should at least be some form of a choice, shouldn’t there?

Benjamin Franklin

William Kohut, BF ’28—The strong focus on affordability, endowment justice… What’s not to like? We do have the right to know where Yale’s money goes, and William gets it.
Jaden Franklin, BF ’29—Being an ESL teacher is awesome, but I can’t say much beyond noting the pun of her last name. Though it is a pretty funny pun. I’d vote for her just for that.
Michelle Zheng, BF ’29—There’s not much concrete here for me to comment on directly.
Steven Belder, BF ’29—While the focus on laundry and dining is somewhat interesting, the internship with Republican Dave McCormick gives me pause.

Berkeley

Skipped—Only One Candidate

Branford

Sierra Abbasi, BR ’29—Affordability once again wins out as a great focus. Laundry and summer storage for all, and no grade caps! Has an “everyone gets a puppy” vibe that I love.
Oliver Hungs, BR ’28—A close second. Oliver clearly knows the YCC and its issues around org funding like the back of his hand, although attention to more pressing matters is lacking.
Maneet Mehta, BR ’29—Take-your-professor-to-dinner program? It’s a creative idea. But not much else concrete is offered that can challenge Sierra and Oliver for me.

Davenport

Skipped—Only Two Candidates

Ezra Stiles

Kaleb Hall, ES ’28—There’s clearly a big heart here. Kaleb loves his ResCo community, and his focus on solidarity with FGLI and international communities is definitely needed.
Eli Ratner, ES ’29—Focusing on affordability all around, opposing grade deflation, great stuff. I have mixed feelings on the interning for Rosa DeLauro… I’ll try to push that aside.
Joel Vincent, ES ’29—Not much concrete is offered here that wasn’t offered with better tact by others, and a past of working with pro-Israel politican Lois Frankel doesn’t help things.
Jake Hammerman, ES ’27—With everything going on at Yale, is “no exams two days after break” really what we need to focus on here? Some nails just need a screwdriver.

Grace Hopper

Ximena Solorzano Castillo, GH ’28—One of the GOATs of YCC senate, from what I’ve heard all around. Affordability, sustainability, Ximenability… Here’s to another year!
Ibraheem Faisal, GH ’29—If the strong focus on fighting against budget cuts and supporting FGLI students doesn’t win you over, the sheer hope radiating from this statement certainly will.
Josey De La Riva, GH ’28—Great points are made on toiletry access, but almost everything here is mainly Hopper-focused. Addressing more campus-wide concerns would be better.
Keira Gerstley, GH ’29—Same point as above, but with slightly less pressing specifics. Why the GH gym of all things? There’s simply a lack of excitement here.
Braden Mathias, GH ’29—What exact policy ideas are being suggested here? Office hours with snacks aren’t as helpful when voters don’t know what’s being brought to the table.

Jonathan Edwards

Andrew DeMar, JE ’28—The clear references to past YCC legislative action are appreciated, as too is the focus on supporting FGLI students. His YDN articles were also charming.
Anna Qian, JE ’29—Laundry and summer storage, the two great concerns of our time. Will Anna consider anything else? Duh, she said in particular, that leaves room for so much!
Hudson McNeel, JE ’29—Yes, yes, we all ran nonprofits in high school. That’s how we got in here. That doesn’t make up for the lack of a specified campaign platform.

Morse

Lauren Sonnenfeld, MC ’28—Assesses the issues surrounding Yale’s budget cuts perfectly. Us students have a right, and a duty, to oppose the university firing our professors willy-nilly.
Katherine Dick, MC ’27—The focus on the YCC’s transparency and accessibility are deeply needed. But why the attack on “criticizing and complaining?” That’s my pride and joy!
Zachary Suri, MC ’27—Disband the YCC?! Based?!?!?!?! Just kidding. The student body needs to unionize more, not less. If Zachary is a novelty candidate, then great job. I LOLed.
Evan Kahn, MC ’27—If that “small subset” that the YCC supposedly favors in order to “make public statements” is meant to be FGLI students, then that’s in incredibly poor taste.

Pauli Murray

Michelle Jimenez, MY ’28—The level of commitment to students, workers, and New Haven here is phenomenal. I can truly trust that Michelle will always try to stand up for what’s right.
Awa-Bilan Amarreh, MY ’28—I like that helping out our most vulnerable students is made a top priority here. Her past work with the Black Solidarity Conference is also a good sign.
Kailey Calvo, MY ’29—Love the FGLI stuff, but I’d like a bit more clarity on exact positions. What are these “Yalie traditions?” Should they be preserved? Don’t shoot the messenger.
Elham Shure, MY ’29—This candidate statement is largely Murray-focused. I’d personally focus on issues relating to the wider student body when serving on a senate representing it.
Suren Clark, MY ’28—With further villainization of New Haven and abuse of student activists, is an increased ~~police~~ “security” presence on campus really what we should focus on?

Pierson

Carlos Dieguez Acosta, PC ’29—The characterization of supporting FGLI students as important to the “uniquely Yale character” is spot on. The direct democracy stuff is also awesome.
Justin Kung, PC ’28—PIERSONNN! I love all caps. Aside from that, fighting against budget cuts to fin-aid stipends is always great, and the COVID public health stuff is a huge plus.
Hamilton Henderson, PC ’29—You know me; I love a good pandering to the local New Haven community. But Justin’s and Carlos’ discussion of student affordability won me over.
Hailey Young, PC ’29—I’ve gotta admit, S.H.I.N.E. is a pretty cool campaign acronym, but that acronym didn’t have much energy behind it when it came to more pressing matters.

Saybrook

Skipped—Only Two Candidates

Silliman

Wendy Matias-Pablo, SM ’29—The emphasis on financial resources and student diversity is great to see. What greener flag can you get than an org called “DemocraShe” in your resume?
Kaitlin Ho, SM ’29—Transportation accessibility isn’t talked about much, so it’s nice that it’s said here. Kaitlin’s right; “getting your hands dirty” is necessary to do what’s needed.
Jonathan McGee, SM ’28—As students are deprived of basic amenities, Shops at Yale discounts seem like less of a priority, especially when leaving the Yale Bubble is always an option.
Michael Canudas, SM ’28—Financial support for activists sounds great, but . . . which activists? Can we trust the YCC to define that? Also, not much was said about student affordability in the wake of budget cuts.

Timothy Dwight

Husam Aiyash, TD ’29—Directs attention right to the issue: the $44 billion endowment. Budget cuts harming students is ridiculous in that context. We shouldn’t take Yale’s disrespect.
Miroslava DeReza Sifuentes, TD ’29—FGLI representation and pushing against budget cuts across the board, all great stuff. Love a statement that’s straight to the point!
Grace Adino, TD ’29—A number of important concerns are brought up, such as paying Yale’s staff their fair share, however this commentary is largely isolated to a TD context.
Brandon Gerosa, TD ’29—Detailed commentary on supporting ResCos, but little is said about student support that wasn’t said elsewhere. At least the to-go boxes are still fought for!
Ethana Hang, TD ’29—Brief mentions are made about affordability, but not much is said about how to solve the worst manifestations of that. Where are my oh-so-beloved stipends?
Andrew Luhnow, TD ’29—Quoting Abraham Lincoln and referring to oneself as “the answer to your every prayer” doesn’t make one seem as relatable as one might think.

Trumbull

Trent Page, TC ’28—All caps intro! Awesome! Directly targeting Yale’s admin-first policies and budget cuts, working with New Haven unions… no punches are pulled, and I love it.
Christopher Johnson, TC ’29—Directly addresses cuts to travel aid and summer storage, and calls for free laundry. Great stuff across the board. Trent and Christopher are my dream duo.
Siena Valdivia, TC ’28—Stipends for academic and extracurricular needs are championed, but not really economic. To be completely fair, though, Siena faces steep competition.
Brett Mellul, TC ’29—Are these the kinds of things that people at the Buckley Institute debate? Greek yogurt and HBO Max? I couldn’t say, I’ve personally never attended.