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Senator of the New Strives to Put Money Towards a Worthy Cause
Submitted by Jamie Wollberg on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 15:45
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Daniel T. McCartney, newly elected senator of The Commons apartment complex, said he cares for its residents and plans to make some changes this year. His four main goals, he said, should make the Commons a better home for all.

“I came up with a lot of ideas,” said McCartney while explaining why he chose to be a film major. His creative brainstorming should prove useful in accomplishing his goals.

According to McCartney, three of his goals include fixing the barbeque in the middle of the complex, providing lawn furniture, and adding some murals to the space.

His fourth goal, he said, will probably be the hardest. McCartney wants to get a day-long music festival to take place in the middle of quad. The senator said he feels that the Commons is far away from most of the campus and would like to get more involved.

“I think that if we had a big festival, it would attract people from all over Purchase,” he said.

Another crucial part of his platform, he said, is to lower the mandatory student activities fee, and make sure that the money goes to the right people.The mandatory student activities fee is a fee that all students pay to contribute to campus services. McCartney said he was inspired to become a part of the PSGA after hearing senators discuss the amount of money they were putting towards new lights at the Student Center.

“I thought that was ridiculous,” he said. “Our budget is around $700,000 and I feel like the PSGA wastes a lot of money.”

McCartney said he plans to pull together all of his resources, including the Office of Residence Life, to help him accomplish his aspirations.

“I am in a lucky situation,” he said referring to his relationship with the Residence Coordinator of the Commons. He already met with some of his bosses to let them know what he intends to fight for.

“I think the main thing here is cost,” he said firmly. “The PSGA has funds and I will hopefully be able to tap into them.”

Support comes from all sides for this senator, especially from those who know him best. Samantha Vuich, McCartney’s girlfriend and junior cinema studies major with a minor in anthropology, supports him whole-heartedly.

“Dan had been talking about it for a long time but I never thought he’d actually do it,” she said.

Charles Nechamkin, McCartney’s best friend and a senior dramatic writing major, said that he convinced McCartney to run and became his campaign manager. “He’s a good guy,” Nechamkin said.

Major support also comes from Chair of the Senate Brittany Mayes. “I think Dan’s going to be a loud voice this year,” she said.

Senator McCartney also said he feels that fundraising could be a profitable option.

“I’m really hoping to motivate the new community,” he said. “Personally, I feel like the PSGA in years past must have been doing something wrong if this many people are running unopposed.”

McCartney said he hopes that his influence remains even when he’s gone.

“I always take a little pride in the fact that I’m from the Commons,” McCartney said. “I love the Commons and I want it to be better than what it was by the time I leave."