Hi. I’m Matthijs van Gaalen, and I hope to represent you next year as your University Student Council President! Running for president is not a task to be taken on lightly, but I am determined to take your ideas and turn them into reality.

I have been committed to Western since I arrived as a first year student, and I am committed to being your ambassador next year. This is your Western and I want to show you why I should be your voice.

I have been privileged to be elected twice to Senate to represent Social Science and MIT students. During my tenure, I have made practical proposals to improve the student experience. I championed several causes, including:

Divestment effort: to ensure your student fees would not be invested in companies that support the genocide in Darfur.

Remembrance Day policy: to extend the moment of silence offered in class and to allow a possible hour gap between classes.

Student Seminar Series: to bring together a group of students who wish to debate the most controversial issues of our time with the goal of appreciating and understanding alternate perspectives.

Interest Classes: to encourage academic exploration without jeopardizing academic standing.

Many things can change in a year. If you elect me as your President, I pledge to make visible changes throughout the year to improve your student life at Western.

Please look at my platform here to make an informed choice, and drop by our booth.

See you on campus!

Matthijs