A Voice 4 U, A Voice 4 All of US

Micah Deligdish

American University students have successfully elected the very first student to be on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission of the District of Columbia. Through a campaign titled “A Voice 4 U”, freshman Deon Jones won the vote for the single-member district 3D07 for the ANC. Jones’ election will give the students of American University representation in the government that makes many decisions regarding their campus life.

The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions in the District of Columbia is in charge of drafting and voting on legislation that reflects the neighborhood’s best interest. They are often consulted on the local implementation of city policies and projects and serve as a constant line of communication between citizens and their government.

A Voice 4 U was the political campaign created to elect two students to the ANC in order to get a voice in DC’s local government. American University is part of two single-member districts: 3D02 and 3D07. District 3D07 encompasses students who live around the “South Side” of campus, while district 3D02 related to “North Side” residents of campus.

No student had ever been elected to these positions before, and A Voice 4 U was the first successful attempt in doing so.

Because the ANC represents the local neighborhoods, that means it also controls the actions and developments of American University. Some of these actions include parking enforcement, building initiatives, and the AU Campus Plan.

“We believe that we can bring a unique set of interests and perspectives to the table if we are given a seat and a voice,” the A Voice 4 U website states.

The AU Campus Plan is a 10 year projection based on the growth of the university. The developments include adding housing, dining facilities, research facilities, sports and recreation facilities, a new law school, and an alumni center.

The ANC also has the power to approve and deny aspects of student life outside of the AU Campus Plan. This includes outdoor concerts, parking privileges, providing liquor licenses, and the creation of a Fraternity and Sorority Row.

According to the A Voice 4 U website, American University students make up over 60% of the constituents of ANC Single-Member District 3D02 and over 90% of the constituents of SMD 3D07.

“I think it’s important that we get a student elected [to the commission],” sophomore Michelle Lindahl, a student in the Kogod School of Business said. “It’s not fair that the majority of the residents are students, but we don’t even have control over our own campus.”

The North Side candidate was Tyler Sadonis, a freshman at American University. A native of Liverpool, New York, Sadonis interned for a mayoral campaign in high school and also won the George Eastman Young Leaders Award from the University of Rochester. As a student at AU, he is a member of the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program.

Sadonis was not elected to the ANC. A Voice 4 U will have to try again in the next election to get a student elected to district 3D02.

The South Side candidate was Deon Jones, also a freshman at American University. In Jones’ hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, he worked as advisor for the Superintendent of Fulton County Schools, a city councilman, and the Mayor of Atlanta. Deon is also a member of the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program.

“The time has come to promote common bonds, build bridges and perfect the community as involved citizens,” Jones said. “I think one thing about politics is that you should run when you can do a better job than someone already in office…I have experience making sure students are heard and making sure students have a seat.”

Even though this is the first year a student was elected. It is not the first time anyone has tried.

“Two years ago I tried to run for the 3D07 seat,” Junior and Student Government member Sami Green said. “I attempted and petitioned several times buy experienced institutional hurdles that kept me from running.”

While Green didn’t get elected herself she understood the importance of getting a student elected and remained dedicated to the A Voice 4 U campaign. The success of the campaign this year is partially the result of Student Government’s use of the student public relation group Eagle Comm.

With all the power the ANC holds over American University. The big thinkers behind the Voice 4 U

campaign thought it was only fair to get a student elected to a seat. While Sadonis was unable to grab the

seat for his district, candidate Deon Jones was victorious in his pursuits and now represents American

University in the ANC. The A Voice 4 U campaign continues to strive to bridge the gaps between AU’s

students and the surrounding neighborhoods.