Meet Robert Awkward and Basil Farraj
Robert Awkward and Basil Farraj for Student Body Co-Presidents
Robert Awkward
My name is Robert Awkward. I am a junior majoring in HDSR and Spanish and Hispanic Studies.
I have, through my participation and involvement in various events, activities and committees both on and off-campus, acquired a lot of experience and skills and learned about the role of the student government and the various committees at Earlham.
To mention a few, I have been a member of the Student Senate, the Committee for Campus Life, the College Meeting for Worship Cabinet and the Program Board. I believe that the experiences and skills I have acquired, alongside my passion and love for Earlham, qualify me for the position.
Basil Farraj
My name is Basil Farraj. I am a junior majoring in International Studies and Business and Non-Profit Management. I am participating in the upcoming ESG elections because I believe in my ability to lead, to create effective change on campus, to listen attentively to my peers and to precisely address their issues and concerns. The experience I gained through my participation in organizations and groups on and off campus and my love for learning make me a qualified candidate for this position.
We are both running for the position of co-presidency because we believe that more can be done to increase the level of engagement and participation amongst students with their student government and to ensure that ESG is a true representation of the student body and their voice on campus.
We will work together, as a student body, to address our concerns and ensure that they are not only acted upon, but that those actions reflect the voices of the students, rather than the “essence” of a generalized student populace.
One of the topics that we will be addressing heavily if elected is the relationship between Public Safety and the student body.
We will work with the entire Public Safety staff to provide more accessibility and work towards a more fluid relationship between the staff and the student body. Both of us have worked closely with members of the office and have developed personal relationships that will effectively aid us in our work to come.
Student relationships with the Office of Residence Life are also crucial as we move forward in the next year. We will use the transformations that are occurring throughout the office to our advantage to strengthen new relationships with administrators and incorporate their fresh takes on the Earlham housing process, as well as residence hall living.
Our vision is that these interactions will continue to benefit students with the creation of a stronger student influence on the community.
Changes must occur in Earlham’s housing processes, student weekend activities, the view of the role of Public Safety, and student involvement in their daily environment.With your contributions, we continue to engage together, to strengthen one another.










