Ann Bybee-Finley (kab436)
Relevant Experience
I am motivated by our institution’s ability to adapt and improve, encouraged by other student leadership, and driven by strong service values. Currently I serve as the chair to the Graduate and Professional Student Programming Board (GPSPB) and was elected as a voting member in the GPSA. In these positions, I work hard with others to achieve our goals and work diligently to understand others’ points of view. I plan events like Grad Ball and Interschool Mixers and interact with various governing bodies across campus. For more information about me and my platform visit www.Bybee-Finley.com.
Community Involvement
When I began Cornell, I knew no one in Ithaca. I became involved with GPSPB because I knew others were in similar situations, and I wanted to help foster a welcoming community at Cornell.
My department is being combined with four others, I participate in the merger meetings and share my concerns. I firmly believe that a student perspective must be considered when making fundamental changes to the University.
I once spent a summer teaching sex-ed. My ability to do condom demonstrations in front of hundreds is proof that I am willing and able to speak my mind to whomever.
Special Interests
The sesquicentennial is a great year to revamp our university’s priorities. We face an age of cuts in research funding, aging faculty, and rising tuition costs. If we want to prepare students for the future, we need to provide them with the skills that will make them the best candidates in the field. The research scientist must be able to manage the business-side of running a lab. The marketing student must be proficient at web design. We must understand how to help the administration ensure quality within departments is being reached and promote the welfare of students.
1. What do you consider the top 3 priorities for the President and Trustees to address?
2. Using specific examples, how will you use your position as trustee to improve Cornell?
I think the top 3 priorities to address are: to find the best candidates for the President position; understand and evaluate Cornell’s current strategy for performance and communicate the Board’s point of view to the student body; and implement policies that protect the environment and empower students. My role as a student trustee will be to advocate vociferously on our behalf. I will enhance the conversations for divestment and worker compensation for graduate students; if the Board does not support implementing these practices, I will push them to suggest alternatives so as to continue the conversation in a forward direction.
Annie O’Toole (ado29)
Work Experience:
Finance Director to Congressman Rush Holt for House and Senate campaigns
- Responsible for raising millions of dollars each campaign cycle
- Helped write and manage budget of $2+ million
- Communicated with various Boards of Trustees of non-profit organizations to advance common goals
- Managed finance staff of up to six
Community Involvement
Cornell Law School:
- Women’s Law Coalition
- Langfan First-Year Moot Court Competition
- Cornell Law School Democrats
Undergraduate (Vanderbilt University):
- Prospective student interviewer
- Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member
- Young Alumni Class Agent — fundraising for class fund
- College Democrats
- Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity
Special Interests
- Utilizing fundraising experience to enhance Cornell’s fundraising efforts and address rising tuition costs, while creating even greater opportunities for Cornell students
- Encouraging further research into facilitating a move toward divestment of endowment funds from fossil fuels, while maintaining Cornell’s robust endowment
Personal Statement
Top Three Priorities: ENGAGING THE STUDENT BODY, IMPROVING STUDENT SAFETY, ADDRESSING RISING TUITION
As Graduate Student Trustee, I will work to:
(1)Inspire a more ENGAGED STUDENT BODY by facilitating communications across Cornell’s varied departments and schools
(2)Improve STUDENT SAFETY by addressing head-on the problem of sexual violence, facilitating a peer-to-peer exchange of information about safe off-campus housing options, and continuing to devote attention to mental health
(3)ADDRESS RISING TUITION by raising awareness of the long-term effects of massive student debt and seeking out more financial aid opportunities for low and moderate income students
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