Junior Maya Vasishth is pursuing a double major in neuroscience and public health. Vasishth was elected as next year’s Undergraduate Student Government Executive Vice President. The Hullabaloo spoke to Vasishth about goals and challenges she anticipates in the upcoming year.

Now that you are in office, how do you plan on implementing things you discussed in your campaign platform?

As Executive Vice President, I get to collaborate with the Executive Cabinet on campus-wide issues that fall under a variety of topics from student health to sustainability. We are currently working on picking passionate student leaders to be members of USG’s Executive Cabinet, and as Executive Vice President, I plan to work very closely with each of these members to make more intentional programs and initiatives to better reach students. USG has made strides in student engagement this year, but we have a lot of room to grow. I want our cabinet members to reach out to student organizations and groups that are likely to have insight into their initiatives to engage students and increase collaboration. The role of Executive Vice President is largely supportive, and I want to support both our students and the cabinet members in collaborating to improve this campus.

What do you think your greatest challenge will be in office?

One of the biggest challenges I anticipate facing as Executive Vice President is revamping the AEC (Awards and Elections Committee) Bylaws. This year, vague wording in the bylaws led to controversy in the way the Executive Board elections were carried out, and I hope to improve these bylaws to uplift students running and organizations that wish to support these students. I think finding a balance between vague bylaws to reduce restrictions on students and organizations and vague bylaws allowing those running the election to interpret them will be important to find. I hope to start the work on these bylaws now to give plenty of time to receive student and organization feedback.

Meet Your Candidates: Executive Vice Presidential candidate Maya Vasishth https://t.co/k8zGV3S2aD pic.twitter.com/xh1Vh4iiaM

— Hullabaloo News (@hullnewsTU) March 12, 2018

What is one change you hope to see in the coming year in terms of student life at Tulane?

I hope that in the coming year USG will be able to foster more spaces for important conversations between students, organizations and administration. Students have really great ideas for change on this campus, and I think making spaces for collaboration and conversation is important, especially given that Tulane is in the process of making many changes that affect students such as building the new Commons. I hope we can work with administration to create more spaces for students to be included in these large projects.

What are you most looking forward to about your new position?

I am really excited to work with the new senators and help them accomplish items on their platform. I love that the Executive Vice Presidential role is largely about supporting members of this body to make positive change on campus. I am very eager to impart the knowledge I have gained while sitting on this body to others to help make their initiatives successful.

What is one thing you would like the Tulane student body to know about you personally?

I am a big outdoors person. I love spending time outside. I grew up in Seattle and actually went to middle school at the Environmental and Adventure School. We got to go on camping, hiking, and backpacking trips and learn the importance of sustainability.