Paul Prados has never been involved in the Student Association. But now he says he wants to be its president.

He says he decided to run because he is “fed up” with the SA’s problems, and he says he has solutions.

Prados says he will not poster or palmcard during the election season because he says he does not want to harass his fellow students the way SA candidates usually do.

Instead, Prados says he will sit on the Quad so students can tell him their concerns about the University. He says the SA’s biggest problem is it lacks purpose; he thinks it should be a student advocacy group.

If he wins, he says he will set up tables at various locations on campus so students can easily locate SA leaders whenever they have a complaint or worry about GW. Prados says he also envisions suggestion boxes and a Web site where students can submit comments.

Prados says he will file the comments and present them when administrators make decisions. He said the system will ensure student input on important decisions and will improve communication between students and administrators.

“Students and administrators are not working together to make this University the best it can be,” he said. “Really, it reflects back on all of us – students and faculty alike.”

He says the tables around campus also will be a useful way to disseminate information to students.

“Informed students will be ready to fight any fight,” he said.

He says students can be sure he will implement his plans.

“There’s no way I can go back on my promises,” Prados said. “Mine don’t depend on the administration.”

Prados is paying for his campaign himself, without financial help from any student organizations. He says he realizes he will have a tougher time campaigning because he lacks name recognition. But he says students should vote for him because he is one of them.

“I’m a normal student without vested interests,” he said.

Hometown: Athens, Pa.
Major: Political science
Year: Junior
Credentials: member, club soccer team

“Every year, we have SA candidates who are absorbed in themselves who harass the student body, and the harassment begins at election time.”