I’m from the town of Fayette, Alabama. Although it’s not far from here, you may have never heard of it. Fayette is a town with unquestionable loyalty. Pride in the Capstone pervades our lives, our conversations, our hearts. Crimson is the town’s unofficial color, and “Roll Tide” is often heard after we say grace before supper. A little girl grows up dancing around the house, imagining herself to be next in Fayette’s long and proud line of Crimsonettes. There’s a little boy out on the field, practicing the touchdown celebration he’ll perform one day in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Even now, the sounds of rammer jammers and yellowhammers ring in his ears. The great people of Fayette may lead lives of quiet simplicity, but the glimmer in their eye and excitement in their voice when they talk about their days in Tuscaloosa suggest they have it all. This is where I grew up.
As you might imagine, it was always a dream of mine to attend The University of Alabama. The school was legendary on Saturdays in the fall, sure, but it was always so much more than that. It was the gold standard of higher education in our proud state, an institution for the men and women that shape the world around us. It was the platform on which to cultivate our ideas, our visions, and our passions. It was the opportunity we were afforded to choose our lot in life. Doctor? Teacher? Engineer?
One day I looked at myself in the mirror and I was wearing a Bama Bound T-shirt. I had applied, been accepted, and was ready to begin my four years at the Capstone. But as I settled into my dorm in Ridgecrest South, it very quickly became less about myself or my story. During my first year I fell in love with the people of this university, and I fell hard. For the stories of students from every kind of hometown and every kind of family. For the students of every ethnicity, every religion, and every sexuality. For those with all political beliefs and campus affiliations who were studying every major imaginable. For a student body who had joined together to leave behind a better campus. It was you that kindled my passion to see this university become great. And it is, indeed, our diversity that makes us great. In many ways it is our strongest ally. And yet at the same time, there is so much more that unites us than makes us different, fueling our passion to bring about real change.
We all want to see something done about sexual assault prevention. While educational programs such as Haven are a good start, we must come alongside these programs before students even arrive on campus. Beginning at Bama Bound, we present a powerful and personal message about the realities of sexual assault. We then continue by partnering with organizations like the Women and Gender Resource Center and Title IX to construct tangible plans in promoting a community based system of accountability. While I myself am not an expert in the field, let’s empower those that are.
We all want to see progress made in breaking down the stigma of mental health. For this, we must partner hand-in-hand with the Counseling Center to familiarize the campus with the warning signs of emotional suffering, as well as create effective avenues for opening discussion. We will launch a “Know the Five Signs” campaign that begins to change the culture and alleviate the anxiety of bringing up the subject of mental health.
Collectively, we deserve more transparency with regards to what our SGA is actually up to. I will initiate and take part in a Student Leadership Council, consisting of 29 other students representing our diverse campus. This will bridge the gap between the voice of every student and what happens behind closed doors. Additionally, we implement a bi-weekly external newsletter to keep you in the know. This provides the honesty that you as a campus deserve from your representatives.
As we all look for more opportunities to give back to Tuscaloosa, I want to provide the entire campus with a day to serve the community that’s been so good to us. Implementing “The Big Event,” which has been highly successful around the SEC, affords us the ability to come together: a tangible way to unite 38,000 students for something bigger than ourselves.
Partner with us in so many other ways as we look to adopt more buses for the Crimson Ride, establish a recreational BreakZone in the Ferg, and work to advocate for more accessible hours in dining halls like Fresh Foods. The opportunity to foster innovation on this campus will always persist, and it’s up to us to stay ahead of the curve. I look forward to not just sharing the rest of our ideas, but lending an open ear to yours as well.
As your candidate for SGA president, I ask that you not simply buy into the power of a platform. Instead we must firstly believe in the power that we all share. Would we bear the responsibility of honoring the great tradition of our school, refuse to quit working until every voice has an equal opportunity to invoke change on campus, and with a great anticipation would we begin to shape the future of our own lives and those that follow.
Regardless of the outcome of this election, I will always cherish my time here in Tuscaloosa. As I strive every day to leave an impact on campus, y’all are leaving an even greater impact on me. To the University and student body, thank you for giving me a place to call home.
I’m indebted to everything you’ve done for me. Now I ask for the opportunity to do all I can for you.
Gene Fulmer is a junior majoring in marketing. He is running for SGA president.
