For the second year in a row, Amari Tankard GS is running uncontested for president of the Graduate Student Government (GSG). Caridad Estrada GS and Zijin Huang GS are running for vice president (VP), while Alexandra “Sasha” Bodrova GS and Jan Ertl GS are running for Vice President of Internal Affairs (VPIA), rounding out the top three spots.
The election for the 2025 GSG Executive Board began on Monday, Jan. 6, and polls will close at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 13.
Equity and representation across departments
Tankard, Estrada, and Huang all emphasized equity and representation throughout their platforms, with Huang writing, “Ensuring equitable policy begins with listening to the voice of the people.” Huang did not respond to multiple requests for comment in time for publication.
Estrada, who currently serves as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, highlighted the need for “improv[ed] equity across programs” in aspects such as program lengths and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) options for international graduate students, as well as leave policies.
“I think that having good housing, having free food, but also having CPT are all part of your overall graduate experience,” Estrada told the ‘Prince.’
Bodrova also emphasized the importance of CPT in her platform, where she also highlighted a policy change that allowed international students on medical leave to remain in the country. She served as the inaugural International Students Affairs (ISA) Officer in 2022 and VP for the first half of 2023, before she stepped down from the position due to difficulties with her visa.
12 Free Meals Pilot Program
For incumbent Tankard, a key aspect of her work to address “equitable dining needs” is the recently-implemented 12 Free Meals Pilot Program. The program doubled the number of free meal swipes that graduate students receive per semester.
“For us to have 12 [free meals] is already a huge feat and really an accomplishment,” Tankard told the ‘Prince.’ “People are bringing their children, their spouses, their neighbors; it’s not like it’s only benefiting grad students. It’s been people’s families.”
On her campaign website, Estrada also emphasizes flexibility and affordability of dining options for graduate students, writing that she hopes to “expand the free meals program to other dining halls across campus.”
Tankard agreed with the desire to expand the program. “I feel really strongly that Princeton owes grad students the same kind of luxuries that it affords undergraduate students, and part of that means affording two meals a week to grad students,” she said.
The undergraduate Two Meals Per Week program is “intended to encourage juniors and seniors to stay connected to their residential colleges … regardless of whether or not they have purchased a meal plan.”
Ertl, currently serving his second term as Treasurer, also helped in the development of the 12 Free Meal Pilot program and, according to his VPIA platform, has “saved the GSG over $100k due to noticing improper transfers.”
Now, Ertl is running for VPIA against Bodrova; his plans for the role include “fighting for equal graduate student access to campus resources” and “strengthening GSG’s internal operations while maintaining our focus on serving graduate students.” Ertl did not respond to multiple requests for comment in time for publication.
Bodrova noted Ertl’s accomplishments to the ‘Prince,’ saying, “Honestly, I’m not even sure that I’m the best candidate.”
Tankard noted the benefits of the policy allowing graduate students who participate in Wintersession access to free on-campus meals, claiming that “Wintersession is so successful … everyone that’s here in January goes.” The ‘Prince’ was unable to independently verify this claim.
The free meal policy has been renewed for Wintersession 2025, which begins on Monday, Jan. 13.
Ultimately, the candidates expressed that they believe equity and representation are critical aspects of the graduate student experience. Tankard told the ‘Prince’ that “the way that you can participate in being a good member of our community is to vote in the elections, and come to GSG events, and participate fully in what the grad school has to offer.”
The remainder of the Executive Board features a mixture of contested and uncontested races; Communications Director, Treasurer, Special Events Officer, and Social Officer are all uncontested, while the remaining positions (excluding DEI Officer) have multiple candidates. Notably, the ISA Officer position has four candidates, the most of any position.
Following a tight race for VP and varying interpretations of the role of the DEI Officer last year, this year’s election features just two candidates for VP and none for DEI Officer.
The DEI Officer position will be finalized following a special election later due to its current lack of candidates.
Victoria Davies is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ She is from Plymouth, England and typically covers University operations.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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