By Elyse CarmosinoSTAFF WRITER

Hofstra students Nicole Olsen and Whitney Shepherd met in front of the Student Center on Monday, April 13 to hold a press conference for what will be Hofstra’s first two-ticket election.

The press conference’s purpose was to give Hofstra students a chance to get to know the candidates whom hope to become their new SGA leaders next fall. 

Alexandra Engelson, senior public relations major and Olsen and Shepherd’s campaign manager, said of her candidates, “They’re fun students. They’re just like every other college student, but they’re also students who want to make a difference at Hofstra.”

Olsen, junior political science and economics double major from Shrewsbury, Mass., and Shepherd, sophomore public relations major from Atlanta, Ga., discussed the three platforms on which they have based their campaign. 

“As candidates who have previously served on SGA’s cabinet, we are equipped with the skill set, knowledge and tools to help change Hofstra for the better. Nicole and I stand before you with these platforms that are core of our campaign for future president and vice president of Hofstra Student Government,” Shepherd said. 

Olsen went on to explain the three platforms in greater detail: “Our three platforms that we’re running on, and which we really believe in are to one: refresh the relationship SGA has with students, not only just clubs but also every student whether they live on campus or whether they’re off campus. Our second goal is to revive Hofstra’s school spirit,” said Olsen. “A lot of people complain there is a lack of school spirit. This year on SGA we have really been trying to push attendance at games and we’d like to continue that. We would also like to inspire students to be themselves, to do more and be better, and take a hold of all the resources Hofstra has to offer.” 

The two also have a long list of initiatives they hope to bring to the school. These include: adding a Hofstra suggestion Kiosk in the student center, installing hydration stations at Colonial Square, building skateboard ramps for skateboarders on campus, creating a directory of off-campus delivery options for when [on-campus] late-night food options aren’t available, implementing sexual abuse and assault and bystander intervention programs, as well as building gender-neutral bathrooms. 

Senior journalism major Alexander Pineda said of the candidates, “I think Nicole and Whitney will make a great president and vice president because they seem to be very driven and focused. They know exactly what they want to do and how they want to do it. They have a goal of bringing more students in [to the campus community] so that everyone can have a say. This campus is for everyone, so everyone should have input in what goes on. Hopefully Whitney and Nicole will be able to make that happen.” 

Engelson added, “A big part of their campaign is ‘Because You Matter’ and we’re really emphasizing the ‘you’ in it because we want every student to feel like they matter.”

A similar press conference for the other two candidates, Alyson Guarino and Damian Gallagher will take place on Wednesday.