Geoff Gilson, a junior political science major, is running as a write-in candidate for student body president for the 2021 election season. He did not take part in banner drop and plans to wait before choosing a vice president. Similarly, instead of campaigning on a bigger block party, Gilson wants to get to the “nuts and bolts” of issues. For that reason, he considers the most important part of his platform to be using his time to connect students more closely with student government and Clemson administration.
“[My goal is] working hard to create the processes and systems that allow students to feel, after my year, that they are now more involved in decision-making,” Gilson said.
This goal connects to the slogan Gilson is running on: “Access4All.” For Gilson, this means allowing students to be included in designing their Clemson experience by involving students in the decision-making process. This way, he says, it will be easier to resolve issues in the future in a way that students agree with.
To do this, Gilson maintains that accountability to students is necessary. Among other things, he suggests a web forum so students can talk to CUSG members, simplifying the senate decision-making process to make decisions faster, town halls and reminding student government what they need to do to do their job. For Gilson, that’s “to fight, not to be nice.”
Because not everyone has the opportunity to be in CUSG, Gilson wants primarily to be a voice for the people.
“At the end of my year, I want students to be able to say: wow, he spoke up for us — all the time; he demonstrated that it is possible to speak up, and he said the things we all have been thinking,” Gilson said.
Gilson’s campaign revolves around the idea that students should vote for him if they want real change.
“I have been at Clemson going on three years now,” Gilson said. “Every year, I’ve heard the same promises. And every year, next-to-nothing changes. Promises are made. They all sound the same. And nothing happens. Nothing changes. I have a platform.”
On top of a platform, Gilson, being an older-than-average student, has 40 years experience of negotiating authority. He believes his age and experience will be beneficial when working closely with Clemson administrators.
Gilson will be campaigning on being “different” than other candidates, saying, “If we want to make a difference, why not give ‘different’ a shot?” He also reminds students that since he is a write-in, he will not be listed directly on the ballot.
More information on Gilson’s platform can be found on his website.
