Politics at Biola: A Rarity

With all senators running unopposed and only two presidential candidates in the running Associated Students (AS) faces little competition, but a big decision when it comes to the election at Biola.
Since all senators are running unopposed, the only competition remains in the presidential race.
Come April 10 students must decide if first semester junior Micah Fell, or second semester junior Cory Cress will make a better choice for AS student body president.
Both men have a solid background in leadership.
Fell has had most of his leadership experience during his time served in the Marines, where he was a squad leader and vehicle commander. While in the service Fell partook in two tours in Iraq, and supervised the lives of eight to ten other men.
Aside from the Marines, Fell has leadership experience as a leader in the Social Justice Ministry on campus, and as a political science major. In addition he worked as a youth pastor/youth summer staff director at High Desert Baptist Church in Phelan, CA this last summer.
Though Fell has a strong leadership background in the military that his opponent does not possess, he does not have as much of a political background at Biola.
Cress, a math major, has been a Sigma senator for the past two years, and this has given him a great deal of experience in AS.
“[You learn] a lot of great personal things—just practice, communication, and listening. You learn how to be open to people; how to prayerfully and responsibly get input, and then make the best response as possible,” said Cress.
But Cress is not running alone. Behind him is Benny Stripe, running for Vice President.
Stripe, junior biology major, has been a Hart Hall senator for the past year, and plays an unofficial leadership role to the men of Heat (the upper floor on Hart Hall.)
When asked his reasons for running Stripe said, “to see things I want to change and to be in that position [to change them.]”
Stripe wants to help improve the overall quality of campus life, from everyday life to big events.
Not only is Stripe eager for change, but Fell’s Vice President running mate, Festim Gashi, is eager to make his impact for the better.
Gashi is a sophomore political science major, who is currently a secretary for the International Student Association (ISA). Gashi was also a member of the Social Justice Ministry, and has past experience in missions, particularly with the Youth With a Mission organization.
Gashi brings diversity to AS, seeing that he grew up in war torn Kosovo.
“I experienced war on many different levels as a victim and refugee,” said Gashi.
Gashi feels that being from Kosovo and seeing lots of the world will be beneficial if he is vice president. It also makes him a good partner for Fell because they have both experienced war on different levels.
“It will make people more aware at Biola that there are students in other parts of the world,” said Gashi.
Gashi also has passion for the office he is running for.
“Wherever I go I like to be challenged, and I like to give a contribution to the community and belong,” said Gashi.
All presidential candidates want to contribute the way they think Biola will benefit the most.
Cress and Stripe have a platform that aims to promote unity on campus through major social events, racial reconciliation, and a major remodel of the Student Union Building (SUB), from student services to the fountain.
Though promoting campus unity is the ultimate goal of the two men, they are seeking something much deeper.
“We have specific ideas as to what [our platform] means, not just a buzzword,” said Cress.
They both are in favor of the continuing of big campus events such as concerts and a possible beach day. They are also interested in focusing more on racial reconciliation.
Both men are confident in the job they could do, and feel they are overall the most beneficial vote to Biola.
“One of the main reasons is our experience and that we’ve already started the work. If we are elected come August we can already get the ball rolling,” said Cress.
Fell and Gashi are confident that though their opponents are worthy, they are what Biola needs at the head of AS.
“The student body should inform themselves, they will see we offer the most. What we intend to bring to AS is change,” said Fell.
Fell explained that he and Gashi are targeting two things in their platform. Firstly, they want to bring community to Biola, and secondly, to promote school pride.
They want to interact with students, inviting them to their room once a month for a time of open hours, giving students more of an opportunity to give ideas and feedback. They also want to focus on Social and Spirit Board.
“We want to give students something to do on the weekends. We don’t want to invest all our money into bands that charge an arm and a leg,” said Fell.
Fell and Gashi are excited about the prospect of creative new ideas, such as a Biola Olympics, but they are also interested in more serious topics.
They want to focus on better racial reconciliation, a stronger relationship between religious and academic relations, and more support to ISA.
“We are just average students, we don’t see ourselves any different, God has brought us to this point and we feel blessed to serve,” said Fell.
And on a similar note Cress concurs saying that ultimately they are seeking “a healthy campus where people are enjoying themselves both spiritually and academically.”
It is evident that both candidates have a vision, and it’s up to the student body to decide what vision will ultimately guide Biola.