SII Elections

The close of the academic year for the Saint Ignatius Institute (SII) at the University of San Francisco, means a new student advisory board. During the first week of May, the Associate Director of SII, Barbara St. Marie, sent out emails encouraging students to participate in the SII elections for the SII board.  

“Talking to individuals of the community is one of the most important parts [of the SII board],” Hannah Bendicksen, current SII sophomore representative, says.

Bendicksen says that the board is in search of “people who really love coming up with ideas” and who are not afraid to reach out to students of all years. “We are people that reach out to individuals on an individual basis,” Bendicksen says, in regards to the board’s agenda.

As for what the SII board wants to implement in the upcoming academic year, Bendicksen says, they would like to see an increase in potential tutor systems, off-campus activities, and volunteer opportunities. She also says that the board would like to try inviting the SII public to board meetings, so anyone from the community can attend, observe, and voice their opinions, so it is not solely left up to the representatives.

Without the board, Bendicksen says, “no one knows what’s going on,” or, there is nothing to hold the community together. She explains how she thinks the presence of the board is important because it carries a responsibility for SII students to get involved in their community.

She also explains the SII board’s outreach goals, which involves strengthening their presence on social media.

“We’re looking for candidates who are really energetic, who are really committed, who care about coming up with new ideas and reaching out to not only the freshmen, but all grades, and SII students from all walks of life,” Bendicksen says.

According to Bendicksen, the SII board meets twice a month and is comprised of two representatives from each respective class, an assistant president, and a president. The board mainly plans events for the SII community such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas parties, says Bendicksen.

Bendicksen laments that she will be leaving the board as she is studying abroad during her junior year in the Czech Republic but will hopefully return to the board when she comes back.