CAD Senator

Sydney Hartpence

Sydney Hartpence

Bio

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Hello! I'm Sydney Hartpence. I am currently pursuing a major in illustration and my second semester at RIT. Joining this community has been a source of immense joy for me. Throughout my high school journey, I actively engaged in numerous leadership and volunteer endeavors. Serving as the vice president of my school's student government, I organized a variety of outreach events, volunteer programs, and successful fundraising activities. My background includes extensive experience in creating diverse projects, advertisements, and events. I am extremely eager to share my experience with RIT’s student government. I am continuously engaging in the many activities on campus; you might spot me with my saxophone in hand at the pep or jazz band, or bringing my racket to the tennis club. However, I also do enjoy my downtime whether that be drawing silly pictures, listening to music, or hanging out with friends. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, one thing is for sure; I would be over the moon to be a part of student government as your next CAD Senator.

Platform

During my term as CAD Senator, my goal is to unify the various aspects of CAD. Conversations with multiple students indicate a common desire – a complete representation of their artistic journey. Being part of the CAD community is a privilege, and I am committed to ensure no artist is forgotten. My initial project, once part of the Student Government, would involve reaching out to Art House, clubs, and classes to provide a complete representation of the artistic endeavors succeeding at RIT. Another community-focused initiative I aim to continue is organizing outreach events. Creating numerous opportunities for students to engage with art in the city is crucial. These events not only offer a firsthand experience of physical pieces, but also foster connections and inspiration. Additionally, I want to address sustainability and accessibility within CAD. Despite RIT's progressive changes, there are unnoticed issues affecting accessibility, particularly in older buildings. Challenges like door lips causing issues for wheelchair users and malfunctioning handicapped doors have been brought to my attention and need addressing. Moreover, I plan to concentrate on sustainability efforts. There is a surprising lack of proper recycling in the building, with some rooms lacking dedicated recycling bins. Simple measures such as introducing recycling signage and bins can significantly impact our campus's environmental footprint. These are just a few examples of what my commitment to addressing pertinent issues will look like in my elected position. I am eager to collaborate with fellow student government members to ensure a brighter future for RIT.