Eric Novelo

Candidate for Student Body President

Academic Program/Degree:      Neuroscience and Philosophy

Current year at Regis:                     Third

Why are you interested in becoming a RUSGA Elected Officer?

To answer this question wholeheartedly, I must first say that for me personally becoming an elected RUSGA officer is not an interest but a passion. A passion stemming and continuing to grow from my involvement and engagement here at Regis University. What’s more, in running specifically for Student Body President, I hope not to only continue serving my community, but also the community this institution is surrounded by. With this, it has become extremely important to me that the role of Student Body President fulfills its responsibility of being a voice for those who don’t usually speak up for themselves. Being that voice, has recently become extremely important to me as result of my work with the Global Inclusive Program, the Diversity Office (ODEIE), the Hispanic community, the Venezuelan refugees, the Asian American population, the African American and Afro-Latinx community, and the LGBTQ+ community. With that, I’d like to finish by adding that my passion in becoming Student Body President is driven by my ability to do what is needed when it’s necessary for the good of others.

If elected, what would be your top two priorities to improve the student experience at Regis?

My first priorities consist of planning an event or joining an already planned event, where the entire executive cabinet and senators are in attendance. The purpose of this is to ensure that our students, the administration, and faculty know that RUSGA exists. Allowing students to communicate and address questions, comments, or concerns that have been neglected or not addressed at all. Something that I have become especially aware of in the last few weeks as I continue to hear that many students didn’t even know student government existed. Now, during our efforts to accomplish this, the following priority involves providing experiences to students that focuses on them. A goal inspired by the Jesuit value, Cura Personalis, or “care for the person.” To expand on this, focusing on our students' physical, mental, and spiritual health, I and those working with me would aim to promote a healthier, more productive academic experience. An example that would incorporate all three would be planning almost a holiday, where all students during the same time are not required nor obligated to attend class. Giving our students something to look forward to, while giving them a chance to relax, catch up, do schoolwork, or simply schedule a doctor's appointment they’ve been putting off. Keeping this in mind, there will of course be smaller opportunities to promote Cura Personalis, but the priority remains the same. Which is an emphasis and focus on our students as whole persons and not just academic machines.

In your opinion, how best can RUSGA serve the students of Regis University?

RUSGA can best serve our students when we act as their voice when communicating with administration and faculty. Especially, when many individuals in RUSGA, such as the student body president, who gets to frequently speak with the president of Regis University. Of course, it is important to remain both realistic and respectful about what exactly and to what extent the president or any other administrative staff can do. However, this shouldn’t limit the questions and concerns that RUSGA listens to and brings to the administration in hopes maybe even just a few get addressed more seriously. With that, there are also so many other questions, comments, or concerns that RUSGA can answer or handle without the help of the administration or faculty. However, as I’ve come to find, many students have no knowledge about the individuals who make up our executive cabinet or who any of our senators are. Let alone what any of the individuals in RUSGA do or what they are responsible for. An unfortunate fact about our current student government, which has limited their service or potential service towards many students here at Regis University.

What skills and strengths do you possess that will help you to be successful in your position if elected?

The most valuable skill I believe that I possess, that has contributed to my success lies in my ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable. An ability I have no doubt would transfer well to the student body president position and would continue facilitating my success. This ability of being comfortable being uncomfortable consists of an almost consistent state of meditative thought, reflection, and consideration. A state that challenges me in every way and requires an uncomfortable level of acceptance towards this discomfort to endure the discomfort of such challenges. For example, the challenge of keeping my intentions thoroughly refined to produce behaviors that are more than just reactions necessitates a level of accepted discomfort to prevent myself from succumbing to what's comfortable. Then an example of this is seen in the standards of quality and effort I hold myself too in everything I do. Standards that cause me to experience discomfort I have accepted I must be comfortable with experiencing. In other words, by being intentional about everything I do, I, as a result, experience a high level of personal discomfort. A discomfort that has proven necessary not only my own success but the success of others. Furthermore, accepting the necessity of such discomfort is what then creates a degree of comfort. Thus, allowing me to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Now, pragmatically, this skill gives me a more positive outlook on challenges, and obstacles. Allowing me to solve issues/problems easier and to have a more profound learning experience.

What job related, volunteer, or lived experience do you have that you think has prepared you for, or would transfer well, to this position?

The job-related experience that first comes to mind which would transfer well, involves my work as an emergency medical technician and phlebotomist. What’s was most significant about these two jobs was their versatility and countless learning opportunities. Two features that I have yet to experience anywhere else and to any comparable extent. So, having now a well-developed capacity for versatility and a profound appreciation for learning would allow me to excel in meeting the required responsibilities that come with being student body president. Such as the responsibility and privilege that it is to be a voice for students. Where in my versatility, I can accurately gauge and adapt to certain concerns or issues brought to me. Especially, how to then communicate these concerns or issues with administration and even faculty.