Official Platforms of the Candidates of the Reed College Autonomous Student Body Elections of December 2023

Quest Candidates

Madeleine Voth:

Hi! My name is Madeleine Voth, and I am running for re-election to the editorial board of the Quest.

As a publication created for students, by students, the Quest should be a place that represents the whole of the student body. While it is incredibly important to create a space that welcomes different perspectives, no one’s biases deserve amplification, and there should be a bright line between stories made up of well-researched facts and those consisting of fervently held opinions. This is why my focus as editor will remain on ethical journalism. Emphasizing truth, factual information, and most importantly, empathy, is something I will continue to hold in the highest importance.

Being editor all of last year, I learned valuable information that I am excited to take with me into this semester. This includes (though is not limited to) copy/content editing, how to run meetings and teach students about journalism, and, how to develop relationships with fellow students, senate, staff and faculty, etc. Further, the institutional knowledge I hold with me is invaluable, something I spent a lot of time getting acclimated with last year, and something I will use to further the success of the Quest this semester.

Before being an editor, I was a staff writer for the Quest (and before that, I was the founder and editor-in-chief of my high school paper). As a writer, I reported on many important events, with highlights including my reporting on faculty pay-range changes, student protests, and COVID grievances. All of these and more, you can read here.

As I hope you can tell, I am incredibly passionate about journalism and the Quest as a whole. So please, help me continue what I started last year in making the Quest the best publication it can be. 

Owen Fidler:

Hello, my name is Owen Fidler and I am running for Quest Editor.

One of my first contributions to Reed was designing posters for the Quest with the simple statement: “support truth.” This is the statement I stand behind and will continue to stand behind as editor, and I believe that it means two things:

  • Seeking truth:
    • Forwarding investigations using our resources of press law and data science.

    • Working in tandem with Reed’s dynamic student voices to open critical conversations and promote rigorous journalism over sensationalism.

  • Supporting writers:
    • Ensuring that all Reed students feel as if the Quest is a resource they can contribute to.

    • Keeping the Student Publication Office a welcoming space for new ideas and collaboration.

Furthermore, I’ve traveled across the country to learn even more strategies for college journalism at this year’s Associated Collegiate Press conference in Atlanta and participated in workshops such as:

  • How to use public records requests to efficiently do investigative journalism

  • How to cover sensitive issues while avoiding implicit bias

  • How to do ethical, responsible photojournalism

  • How to incorporate data analysis in an investigative team

As an editor, I’d promote the lessons I learned in Atlanta in order to ensure that the Quest adapts to strategies of modern journalism while still supporting truth with integrity and honesty.

Finally, I’m relentless and passionate. I’m one of the last people awake during those late editing nights, and the first person awake Friday mornings ready to distribute the Quest. I know the ins and outs of Quest editing by spending an exhausting amount of time with our committed editing staff. As editor, I’d merely build on the conversations I already have with them, shifting from a role of curiosity about journalistic process to active development of journalistic excellence.

Sophia Lenczowski:

Hey! My name is Sophia Lenczowski and I am a Junior comparative literature major/film and media studies minor. 

Although I have not been a quest editor in the past, I'm not lacking in experience. I have contributed to the Quest as a writer and was the editor in chief of my high school newspaper and literary magazine. I work very hard and know how to write, edit, and help others with their writing in a constructive way. I have held many leadership roles in the past - such as writing and directing hum play - and know how to work well with others as well as how to effectively run meetings and get things done. With me as an editor, not only will you not see another typo in the newspaper, but you’ll have informative, unbiased, and well rounded stories. 

I also want to make space in the quest for stories that center around the outer-reed community. For example, profiles on neighboring small businesses, events going on in Portland or at neighboring universities, volunteer opportunities, etc. I love Reed but if I didn't work off campus it would be hard not to feel closed off to the Portland area. I think this addition could expand our idea of the Reed community even further. 

Finally, I would really love to get the chance to directly serve Reed students by making sure that the pieces in our publication are not only well researched and well written, but reflect the values of our student body at large. I feel really strongly about the power of journalism and language as a means for change. So, I think the Quest has the ability to be a resource for students to make their voices heard, and I want to be able to facilitate this as an editor.

Adrian Keller Feld:

Quest Editor Election Platform

I’m Adrian Keller Feld (she/her), a Junior English Creative Writing major returned this semester from a year studying abroad in Dublin! A very active writer and photographer for the Quest, my work includes a weekly column "Touch Grass", about green spaces around campus like the Portland Japanese Garden. The rest of my work is visible on the Quest website, with 2-5 articles per week showing the time I commit to this paper.

As Editor I plan to further this work and engage with the Reed community, such as in discussions with other campus student groups, and fostering community within the Quest. One way is to incorporate more profiles of clubs and events– looking at what Reed is at this moment in time. I attended the ACP conference with the Quest recently, giving me perspective on the world of college journalism. As Editor I will further talks around the Quest's transparency and processes with the student body, engaging in thoughtful discussions with members of the community. I recently wrote on the redistribution of funding for an Indigenous Lecture Series, facilitating communication with sections of the Reed community new to me, an incredible learning experience.

I want to use my years in writing to assist those newer to composition, within the paper and in their continued process as creators. My experience includes being the Head Editor of my high school yearbook, and engaging in plenty of writing and editing work in college, including a critique group while abroad, and being part of the Grail editorial team. Please consider me for Editor of the Quest, a paper I have been fond of since Freshman year and would love to have a hand in shaping. 

Any questions regarding my platform can be directed to me at mkellerfeld@reed.edu.

Eleanor Davis-Diver:

My name is Eleanor and I am junior economics major from Philadelphia. From a young age I've been an appreciater of the printed news. I have always been interested in government, especially economics. I enjoy live music and ham and cheese sandwiches. I'm also a very cool and funny person and so fun to hang out with.

As a Quest Editor I hope to increase involvement from the campus community. Right now there is very little interaction from the student body as a whole with the creation of the newspaper. It is unclear when Quest meeting times are, how to write an article for the quest, or how to even submit a story idea to the paper. Campus outreach would be a top priority for me as editor. I believe that more input from the student body in the production process will leader to a higher engagement with the Quest issues after they are printed. It is essential for any community to have a well run and widely read source of news in order to thrive.

Louis Chase:

Hello, my name is Louis Chase and I'm running for Quest Editor!

I’m a sophomore linguistics major from Poolesville, Maryland, and I became a staff writer for the Quest this semester. Writing for the Quest has been one of my best experiences at Reed, but it's clear that the Quest has not been up to the task of fairly and accurately covering social movements on campus. Journalism should seek to speak truth to power, not provide an outlet for the reiteration of already-dominant narratives. Quest contributors remain homogenous, and diverse viewpoints are misrepresented. During my time at the Quest, I wrote an update on Reed’s Covid masking policies that compelled the administration to make its Covid FAQs more visible online, co-interviewed a member of the ILWU Local 5 bargaining team after the Powell’s No Labor Day strike, contributed to live coverage of the HA protest where the formation of URCHA was announced, and profiled the qtSTEM Collective and Joyous Whimsy Club. I hoped to serve Reedies with this coverage, and now I hope to serve Reedies by bringing the Quest’s editorial practices in line with community needs.

My main goals for the Quest are:

1. Ensure student groups have an opportunity to represent themselves on their own terms, while maintaining best journalistic practices on fairness, balance, and factuality.

2. Develop best practices for the Quest’s coverage of social movements in dialogue with the student body and anti-oppressive journalists.

3. Recruit and retain contributors from diverse backgrounds by reaching out directly to identity groups and holding interest and affinity sessions for underrepresented writers.

4. Introduce a formal system for Reed community members to provide feedback to Quest editorship, and create a dissent channel for contributors who disagree with editorial decisions to securely express their concerns with the guarantee of a response.

Presidential Candidates

Bella Moore:

My name is Bella and I am a current senator for Reed. If elected president, my highest priority will be establishing a culture and community in which all students on campus are safe and respected. I aim to be a representative that any student can feel comfortable speaking with. My top three platform initiatives are accessibility, student safety, and harm reduction, which are a continuation of the projects I have been working on for Senate. Currently, I am reviewing the medical amnesty policy in order to ensure that students are aware of the rights they have, and call for help when the health of a student is at risk. I am also establishing free fentanyl testing strips that will be accessible to students at all times to further ensure student safety. I am currently reviewing the title IX policy, and discussing how this policy can be changed, applied, and communicated to the Reed community. I believe that the rights that students have when it comes to gender discrimination should be made abundantly clear. I am also currently serving as head of Projects and Initiatives for the CARDS committee (Community for Accessibility Resources and Disability Services). My most recent projects have been working to establish a permanent multi-purpose space for CARDS that will be accessible to students, and improving physical accessibility to pharmaceutical medications. 

These are projects that I find greatly important, as the safety and support of Reed students is my utmost priority. I believe that establishing permanent institutional aids that outlast any singular student can create a future for Reed in which students are protected and supported as much as possible. I don’t believe that accessibility, student safety, and harm reduction stops at these initiatives, and I hope to continue these projects further in the coming semester and year.

Andee Gude:

Hi! My name is Andee Gude and I’m running for Student Body President. I’ve been a senator for just a semester, however, I have accomplished a lot. These accomplishments not only represent my dedication to taking on the role of SB president, but my commitment to engaging and sustaining multiple communities. My goals include community engagement, equity, safety, accessibility, organization and much more. I’ve kept in mind the value of maintaining and creating equity, specifically for first generation and low socioeconomic students, as I know first hand the difficulty of adjusting to higher education. I’ve worked to connect marginalized groups on campus; I’m a signator of BSU, a mentor in the Peer Mentorship Program and member of CARDS (Community Accessibility Resources and Disability Support). Generally, I want to improve the lives of reedies, regardless of their identities and backgrounds. I am a Renn Fayre Czar, and a very important project I’m working on for Spring Fall is creating a safety room, including low light and sound, covid safety items, snacks, and resources in an effort to prioritize accessibility and safety. Recently, I finished packaging 150 Period Kollectiv orders! As someone who’s been impacted by period poverty in the past, I’m proud to be able to facilitate resources not only to those who face financial barriers but to the general student body; normalizing these resources as something essential and available. I’ve been both a writer and actor of HUM play; I’m writing several Harlem Renaissance scenes and working hard to represent Black characters and create a safe space for BIPOC actors; something I unfortunately did not have and want to create for Freshman. Please read more about me and my accomplishments/values, using this link to my full petition; 300 words is a sparse count to fully represent me. Thanks for reading! 

Xixi Dukes:

Hi! My name is XiXi Dukes (she/they), and I am running for Student Body President! I'm a sophomore anthropology major, originally from China, and now I'm here. Having served on the SB Senate for the past year, I've noticed the significant progress we've achieved. I'm thrilled to elevate our efforts further. I'm committed to maintaining our successes and enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of our processes.

I've noticed that we've kinda had a lack of accountability, both senate in its processes and administration in communication. Time and time again, I've demonstrated that I'm committed to holding our community accountable, mostly through advocating for URCHA and as a function of my position in Senate. I am dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and diverse campus environment at Reed College, by emphasizing the CARDS initiative for improved accessibility. My commitment extends to academic policies that benefit students, like adjustments to the curriculum, and streamlined processes. In terms of clubs, I’d like to support their growth and advocate for more institutional memory through their upholding. I also want to support more civic engagement/responsibility and may be doing that by partnering with other institutions. I’d like us as Senate to be more vocal and prioritize open dialogue on critical matters. I think it’ll improve Student-Administration relations, as it would be more effective communication and student representation in decision-making. Ultimately, I strive to promote a positive and inclusive campus culture, addressing discrimination and fostering a sense of belonging for all students.

Please consider these policies I'm contemplating. For more details or my opinion, book my Thursday office hours 4pm-5pm, rain or shine, or reach out at gdukes@reed.edu. If you want to see more about my platform, just scan the QR code on my posters. Vote for me! Or just vote!

Vice Presidential Candidates

Jefferson Ratliff:

Hello, my name is Jefferson Ratliff (he/they), and I am excited to announce that I am running for Student Body Vice President! I have been honored to serve as the chair of the Appointments Committee for three semesters. I am now ready to step outside of the committee and into new roles on Senate. I am hoping to continue the traditional role of the Vice President in being a bridge between AppComm and Treasury. My experience on Senate will also be helpful for the newer members to better understand how to navigate the bureaucracy of Reed. I will also start a project to reform our election process to better ensure more democratic and efficient voting. I also want to continue my already established work on harm reduction on campus as I have been an active member of the CSO, HCC and Share committees helping to distribute fentanyl testing strips in the GCC. 

You can read my whole platform here and please sign my petition by filling in the information below!

Senate Candidates

Lindsay Worrell:

Hello! My name is Lindsay Worrell (Lew) and I am a junior Political Science major.  Welcome to my re-election campaign platform! 

I have been on Senate for a year, and I have really enjoyed serving the student body. I have started various projects that I believe are very important, and I would love the opportunity to see them to completion. Here are a few of these projects and what they entail! 

Upperclassman Housing 

I have been working with Res Life to address the inequity of the current housing process for upperclassmen. There are many Reed students that require on-campus housing to attend this college - including me - and the lottery system fails to acknowledge the varying financial  circumstances of students. I am collecting student responses and statistical data to pressure admin to address this increasing issue. 

Medical Amnesty

At my urging, the AOD Committee is undergoing a review of the Medical Amnesty policy to ensure that it is the most accessible and equitable process for the student body. By taking effort to consider student feedback, I hope to adjust the current policy into one that properly allows Reedies to take care of themselves and each other. 

Title IX Policy 

New Title IX federal regulations are currently in the works and once they are finalized, Reed will be making adjustments to its own policies. Using a draft of the new regulations, I have been working to highlight parts of our current policy that should be kept and parts that should be changed or removed. Once this is finished, the notes will be compiled and published in the Quest. I will then gather feedback so students can have a direct say in our new Title IX policy. 

If you would like to see these issues addressed, then consider voting for me. Thank you!!

Andrew Sakahara:

Sup! My name is Andrew Sakahara and I am running to be one of your new Senators! I am a political science major originally from LA and enjoy swimming, baking, and eating salt & vinegar chips while binging Phineas and Ferb.

When I moved to Portland, I noticed the high civic engagement of Portlanders and admired the grit, will, and tenacity of those who take the time to protest, stand up, and take action for what they believe is right. I couldn’t help but wonder why Portland was so much more politically involved than back home. And while it might just be that Portlanders like complaining, I believe it is because both Portlanders and Reedies hold faith in their respective governments’ ability to move forward towards a more accepting, eco-friendly, and healthy community.

While new to student government, I have previously worked and volunteered for various organizations to advance voting rights, increase civic engagement, and raise awareness of the climate crisis. As a senator, I intend on prioritizing energy efficiency, waste reduction, and support of mental health beginning with…

  • a new mental health wellness room run by Reedies, for Reedies,

  • a low waste commons cafe,

  • motion-sensored, energy-efficient lights to replace permanently lit dorm lights,

  • brightly, LED lit bridges and walkways after sunset,

  • and a student government supported effort to push Reed to denounce anti-humanitarian states and organizations and their affiliated partners.

If elected, I want to provide a new, underclassman, and BIPOC voice to Senate that brings to the table sustainable solutions to existing problems. As a senator, I can’t promise perfection, but I do hope you would consider putting your faith in me to move Reed forward towards a healthier, greener, and safer community.

Cheers,
Andrew Sakahara

Hey Reed, I know what we’re going to do today! -Phineas (probably)

Abigail Peaslee:

Hey! My name is Abby Peaslee and I am running for a spot in Senate at Reed!

For the limited time that I’ve spent here, I have been fascinated by the involvement the student body has in Reed’s overall well being.

Lately, I am saddened to see national policy makers and state representatives fail to listen to public concerns for humanitarian rights. On the local level, being a possible senator for Reed would allow me to become an advocate for my peers in sight that one day, I can reach a larger audience. By familiarizing myself as senator throughout these 4 years, I will in turn become well versed in the processes that go into making real impact at this institution. 

Some main adjustments that I would like to prioritize are in community safety. I would like to add more lighting to campus at night so students can feel safe and comfortable walking home alone. Another thing I want to touch upon would be the minimal amount of student life that occurs on campus during the weekends. I would like to host events like  music festivals and outside performances that encourage night life. I feel that socialization at Reed is extremely important and needs to be improved upon in a more inclusive setting. 

I am also dedicated to environmental rights on campus (especially in food waste), student health and well-being, as well as broadening representation for students. I PROMISE that I will fight and advocate for your voice on campus with the position that senate gives me. If you see me around, please feel free to say hi. I want to meet as many of you as possible to learn about your personal stories and successes at Reed! I pride myself in being an active listener for anyone around me! 

Andrew Happy:

Hello! My name is Andrew Happy and I am a current first year student who is ecstatic to be running for Senate.

Although I may still be in my first year here at Reed, I have grown to love the community that has been fostered here. The unique environment that encompasses this school cannot be understated and I would be delighted to serve this community in the Senate. 

My platform that I am running on will primarily focus on upholding this unique environment. That being said, in no way is Reed perfect. There is a lot of work that can be done, and as a senator I will be a voice for any concerns that you as the student body would like to bring forward. I believe a healthy student body is one that can have a diverse set of beliefs be considered in all decision-making processes. Having spent some time talking with members of the community, a few areas that I plan on advocating for include:

  • A continuation of the transparency of decision making processes on campus

  • Advocate for better communication from administrators

  • More support for academic burnout and mental health

  • More efforts to promote student engagement

  • Better institutional memory education for first years

With that being said, it would be my honor to serve this community that I hold so close to my heart and I would appreciate so dearly if you would sign my petition and help put me on the ballot and become your next senator :)

Much love,
Andrew Happy

Archer Glickstein:

Hey! My name is Archer Glickstein, and I'm running for SB Senate.

- I’m a second-year poli-sci major interested in public policy and representation theory.

- I’m from the Bay where I was a competitive cheerleader for four years and a parkour/gymnastics coach for six; from these, I am intimately familiar with positions of leadership and responsibility.

- On introvert-core days, I play music, write poetry and prose, create/solve sudoku puzzles, and walk around Portland.

- On extrovert-core days, you can catch me in the pool hall, hanging around the Great Lawn, exploring the local food scene, and (admittedly) playing a lot of Magic.

I love so many aspects of our Reed community. I love the degree to which we accept and support one another, where so many of us have come from various backgrounds of nonacceptance and nonsupport. I love our remarkable ability to find countless connections and overlapping interests, where our interests are so unique and diverse. I especially love how artistically inclined we are.

However, as we have all experienced, the Reed College institution can be incredibly problematic and is visibly riddled with imperfections. Buildings are often too hot, too cold or unclean to a (literally) sickening extent. Reed’s faculty, students, and staff are shown unprofessional callousness. Accommodations are unmet, service requests ignored, mental and physical health needs disregarded. This is unacceptable for any institution, let alone an institution of Reed’s caliber and endowment.

I cannot promise to fix every one of these issues; what I can promise is change. Reed cannot be allowed to remain comfortably stagnant in its current state. I will make sure it does not. Please nominate me for student Senator, and I will do all I can to make the positive differences our wonderful Reed community needs. Thank you so much for your support!

Philip Dussin:

Hello my name is Philip Dussin and I'm running for Senate. I am a sophomore political science major from Seattle, Washington. As a political science major, I have a foundation of understanding of the inner workings of government and legislation. I am a man of big dreams. My biggest? TO BE YOUR SENATOR, REED COLLEGE!!

As a Senator, I will fight tooth and nail to restore commons to its original glory. Many of you sophomores and upperclassmen remember the glory that was fried eggs for breakfast, late night pizza, and midnight marketplace, among many other dearly missed commons offerings. Unfortunately, the administration has stripped these blessings from us, and in the process cut many of our favorite commons workers out of valuable paid hours, forcing them to find other ways to make up the time. I will make it my mission to bring back these heavily requested features and more with innovation that excites – both for the hungry students and for the commons workers. To accomplish these goals, I intend on becoming a Bon Appetit Commons Liaison to work closely with the commons management company, ensuring we can bring back these heavily requested features. I will be very open to working with the student body to receive feedback and further expand commons offerings to meet the needs of the community.

In addition to my primary goals to improve commons, I would like to focus on aspects of student, campus, and residence life. In my experience, these all are major pain points for the Reed community, so by serving on these committees, I intend to improve and simplify life for reedies.

IF YOU WANT LATE NIGHT PIZZA BACK, YOU KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Endorsed by Financial Club CIO Skyden Canfield

For inquiries, contact Campaign Manager Amillio Romine (aromine@reed.edu)

Meera Balan:

Hello! 

My name is Meera Balan she/her—a sophomore double majoring in English literature and Psychology. Being at Reed for almost two years now, I better understand the institution's workings and the needs of my peers. I hope to continue to be your voice and work with you to have the issues at hand addressed;  on food availability, safety, and equity. 

Over the last year, I have been working on food availability. The food provided needs more options for those with dietary restrictions. Seeing friends go hungry due to lack of availability pushed me to work closely with the Bon Appetite to increase the food options available to ensure that everyone gets a meal. I have worked with JSU to provide better opportunities. In addition, I have been in conversations with Menutrinfo, a company that trains institutions to implement allergen-friendly guidelines. I plan to continue this incentive in Senate by working with the company and Bon Appetite to improve food safety on campus. 

My work on the Title IX committee helped me organise events for students to become better acquainted with the policies. Apart from still working on the Title IX committee, this time, I want to work more closely with SHARE to provide more resources to the student body. 

As a POC at a PWI, I understand and know the importance of safe places for people of colour on campus. I want to work with Reslife and the Office of Institutional Diversity to ensure that peer mentors in the Peer Mentor Program are guaranteed housing. 

If any of the above points resonate with you, please vote!

As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

Yours Truly,
Meera

Election Platforms