A Race Between A Fresh Voice and a Familiar Face.
By: Oliver Pulcher: Online Editor
On March 27, 2019 Meramec’s Student Government Council hosted Board Of Trustees’ candidates Anne Marshall and Paula Savarino for an open forum. During the forum, the candidates introduced themselves and explained why they were running for office. After a brief introduction, the two candidates answered questions from Student Government Council and then answered questions from the crowd in general. The event was set up to promote contact between St. Louis Community College leadership and St. Louis Community College students, according to Student Government President, Sarah Kelly. The event also served to provide students with information and the ability to communicate with the two candidates before Tuesday’s election.
About The Candidates:
Paula Savarino:
Candidate Paula Savarino is running for public office for the first time in her political career. When asked why she wants to become a board of trustees member, Savarino said, “My passion for the college. I have worked here for 21 years, I have heard countless success stories, and I believe that the faculty and leadership here make those dreams come true.”
A former student of Meramec, Savarino recently retired from Meramec after being employed by the college for 21 years as the auxiliary service manager for the college. During her time at the college she ran commencement ceremonies for 16 years. She also organized the college’s annual “Tee For Tuition” tournament and chaired the College Institutional Affairs for two terms.
Savarino also discussed student rights and specifically the rights of students to exercise their own freedom of speech in the form of protest. When asked about her stance is on disciplining students for protesting during a board of trustees meeting, Savarino said, “I am in favor of freedom of speech. Anyone who knows me knows that I am. I believe that whether we want to accept it or not, everyone should have a right to speak. I only ever get upset when we can’t discuss things civilly.”
Anne Marshall:
Candidate Anne Marshall is also running for public office for the first time in her political career. Anne Marshall is also a former Meramec student and has worked in the private retail sector. Marshall has also worked for Wesley Bell’s campaign and she was previously a neighborhood team leader for Obama for America in 2008. Marshall facilitates the YWCA Racial Justice Education program and she is the founding director for Indivisible St. Louis, an organization centered around improved contact between senators and their constituents.
When asked what her priorities will be if she is voted into office, Marshall said, “I will be focused on creating relationships on the board. I will want to create a sort of coalition. I believe that things move forward when people compromise. And that is something that I am good at. I want to be the communities voice and I want to allow people to be heard. I will also push to change the Board of Trustees meeting time from five o’clock to seven o’clock because currently, most people can’t make it.”
Marshall also discussed her stance on freedom of speech for students. When asked what her stance is on disciplining students for protesting during a board of trustees meeting, Marshall said, “Students have a voice and I would not punish them for speaking out. I believe in freedom of speech and I believe that student voices deserve to be heard. Personally I think it should be taught; I think there should be more civics courses offered.”
