Thank You!

The votes have been counted and the results are in, with 239 votes I was one of three people elected to represent the sophomore class for WSU Student Senate. A big thank you goes out to all 239 of you that not only voted for me but who took the time to vote in the first place. It is my hope that people continue to vote in Student Senate elections and improve the voter turn out percentage. I'd also like to thank those of you who helped with my campaign, without your help the results from this election would of been different. The past few weeks have been a fun and rewarding expereience. I enjoyed going door to door and meeting all of you that live in Sheehan, Prentiss-Lucas, Maria, Tau and the parts of Lourdes that I did not get lost in. (It's a huge place!) Again, thank you to everyone who voted and I am excited to be given the opportunity to serve on Student Senate next year!

Voting Has Begun!

The online polls have now been opened! If you're reading this now I encourage you to take the time now to vote at www.winona.edu/studentsenate/elections

Polls close on Friday April 8 at Noon but I recommend taking a couple minutes now and vote!

Who is Jared Stene?

Jared is counting on YOU to vote for him on April 5!  

Jared Stene
Public Relations Major
Political Science Minor

Jared is currently serving as an Associate Senator on the Student Services committee and participating with the newly created New U Ad Hoc Committee. While on the Student Services committee Jared has worked to help prevent students from falling victim to pyramid schemes and other business scams that exclusively target college students. Jared also participated in Rally Day 2005 which was held by MSUSA to advocated for a tuition freeze for all MnSCU schools, Jared still continues the fight to keep tuition at Winona State affordable.

Jared is from Woodbury, Minnesota and graduated from Tartan High School in 2004. At Tartan HS, Jared served as Vice President of Tartan DECA and served as a member on the Student Council and National Honor Society.

This is the official campaign blog for Jared, so please check back through out election for updates and views on current issues.

Have a question to ask Jared?! Want to help the campaign and spread Jared's message?! Interested in sporting the official Jared Stene for WSU Senate sticker?! Feel free to email Jared anytime through out this campaign at JPStene6004@webmail.winona.edu

Remember Jared Stene on April 5!

Campaign Statement

The following is my brief campaign statement that will be on the internet ballot starting April 5:

Higher education is a public good that should be protected and affordable for all to enjoy, I feel that the proposed New University plan is a threat to the affordability of Winona State. The recent referendum on the proposed New U plan showed everyone that a strong majority of us also realize this threat, if elected I plan on staying with this voice and continue to fight for the affordability of Winona State. This crusade for affordable education also extends to the state level, where I believe that more needs to be done to lobby the Minnesota Legislature and Governor not only on the student level but on the university administration level to advocate for lower tuition for all MnSCU institutions. I currently serve as an Associate Senator on the Student Services committee and have become familiar with the Senate process over the course of the year. I am ready to represent the sophomore class as a Student Senator and continue to fight to maintain Winona State’s affordability.

Tuition Freeze Bill

Jared Stene rallying for the tuition freeze bill at Rally Day '05. He's already fighting for you now, so why not vote for the obvious choice?! 

Over the past few years tuition for Minnesota state schools has been increasing dramatically. This year in an effort to stop the rising tuition, MSUSA has started the tuition freeze campaign. Rally Day 2005 kicked off the campaign on the steps of the State Capitol, and I was there to help rally for the cause. I encourage anyone in the Minnesota state school system to write to their state representatives and urge them to support the tuition freeze bill. You can find who represents you by clicking here. If you are not from Minnesota, then you can write to Gov. Pawlenty to ask for his support of tuition freeze.

A lot is being done to lobby our state leaders already, but we can't give up now! If elected I'll continue the fight for lower tuition at the state level. I'll also do my best to reach out to our administrators to encourage them to help us out in keeping Winona State affordable.

Jared for Senate Flyers!

Jared for WSU Senate flyers are now available! Show your support by printing one off and sticking it on your dorm room door today! They make great gifts as well.
Jared for Senate Flyer (PDF File)

Want to sport the new fashion trend of the week?! Email Jared now to get your Jared for Senate stickers! Click on the link above to email Jared. Buttons are coming soon!

Oops!

Jared fixing a major spelling error on his fliers. 

After posting fliers around campus, it came to my attention that I had a major spelling error on one of my fliers. Apparently, instead of putting my last name Stene in a caption, I had the word "STATE." A blunder that occurred due to lack of caffeine at the time of producing the fliers. To fix this problem I decided to go and find each flier and use my white out tape pen and correct the spelling error. So if you happen to notice white out on my fliers, it is because my last name isn't STATE.

While on the subject of fixing things, I've noticed that more could be done by the Senate to reach out to students. I believe that Senate should start holding "town hall" style meetings with the rest of the student body in order to address concerns and to promote various Senate activities. Representatives at the state and federal level hold similar meetings with their constituents and I believe that everyone in the WSU community can benefit from these gatherings. If elected, I will promote this idea with the rest of the Senate and try to make this a reality.

Buttons are here!

Jared Stene for WSU Senate Buttons! 

The official Jared Stene for WSU Senate buttons are here! If you're interested in a button email me at the link above to request your button. Supplies are limited.

Cyber Indee Article

I was featured on a article published by the Cyber Indee. If you're interested in reading that article you can click here.

The Jared Stene for WSU Senate webmail list is now forming. If you'd like to submit your WSU webmail address to the list for updates on various campaign activities you can email me at JPStene6004@webmail.winona.edu

The Mr. WSU Competition is being held on Thursday, March 31 in Somsen Auditorium at 6 pm. Admission is only $2 and it will be great fun for all!

Protect The WSU Vote

This year a website was launched in order to provide more of an understanding of the candidates and their views on issues. Protect-The-WSU-Vote.com was created this spring in order to serve the student voters of Winona State. I was asked by the moderators of this website to submit my answers to a number of questions they created to compare myself with other candidates. I prepared my answers ahead of time but then I found out after writing them all out that there is a strict limitation on the number of characters in an answer. So I've decided to post on here my original answers to the Protect the WSU Vote's questions, the answers you see on the website is actually an abridged version of what I really wanted to answer.

Why are you the best candidate for the position you desire?
The best candidate for this position is someone that is willing to dedicate themselves to improving the lives of students at Winona State, not only for sophomores for the entire WSU community. I have already been involved with Senate this past year as an Associate Senator on the Student Services committee. I also have been participating in the current Tuition Freeze campaign that is being led by MSUSA. I am the best candidate for this position because I am already fighting to improve student’s lives now.

What is the largest weakness of the institution you hope to be elected to?
Communication between the student body and the Senate. I believe that Senators should start holding "town-hall" style meetings with fellow students to educate them on issues affecting them, inform students of events coming up, and most importantly to listen and address concerns students may have on any campus issue.

What are your two most concerning weaknesses?
My greatest personal weakness would have to be procrastination. But this is only because I like to take my time to investigate all possible solutions to a problem and enact a solution after giving it a great deal of thought. Another personal weakness would be lack of organization.

What experiences have provided background that would be helpful in your desired position?
I am currently serving as an Associate Senator on the Student Services committee and as a voting member of the New University Ad Hoc committee. I have participated in the Tuition Freeze campaign as well as attending the New U Visioning Conference.

What personal objectives do you have in your run for office?
My objectives would be to fight for the affordability of Winona State while making sure the student voice is heard by faculty, administration, and the MnSCU system. Another objective would be improving communications with the student body by holding town-hall style meetings with students similar to those held by state legislators and Congressional representatives.

What is the largest weakness of Winona State University?
The largest weakness of Winona State is the lack of communication and understanding between students and administration.

What entity have you been involved with for at least two months in the last year that best shows your abilities as a candidate?
I have been involved with the Student Services committee through out the year and have been working with other Senators and staff members of Winona State to increase the awareness of illegal businesses and scams that specifically target college students.

I encourage you to check out Protect-The-WSU-Vote.com for more information on other candidates.