Photo Courtesy of Wanyi Yang '20
Posted: Apr 05, 2018
As part of Division III Week, Haverford Athletics is showcasing the community service and leadership initatives of our student-athletes. We caught up with Julia Blake '19 in the week of Haverford's special plenary, which will be held this Sunday at 5 p.m.
What is your role within Haverford's student government?
This year, I am Co-President of Haverford's Student Council. At Haverford, there is a major emphasis on student governance and Students' Council is the college's main student-governing group, comprised of representatives from all different parts of campus. As Co-President, I meet with administrators and the President on a weekly basis to discuss different issues, projects, and events, while advocating for the interests of the students. I also attend the Board of Managers Meetings and oversee the allocation of a $500,000 budget to the campus' clubs and organizations. My major responsibility as Co-President is planning and running plenary in the spring and fall.
This year, I am Co-President of Haverford's Student Council. At Haverford, there is a major emphasis on student governance and Students' Council is the college's main student-governing group, comprised of representatives from all different parts of campus. As Co-President, I meet with administrators and the President on a weekly basis to discuss different issues, projects, and events, while advocating for the interests of the students. I also attend the Board of Managers Meetings and oversee the allocation of a $500,000 budget to the campus' clubs and organizations. My major responsibility as Co-President is planning and running plenary in the spring and fall.
This an important tradition at Haverford and allows students to discuss and vote on resolutions that make widespread change on campus, as well as make changes to the Honor Code and Alcohol Policy. This year, we are additionally holding a Special Plenary, which occurs when the Honor Code does not receive enough votes for ratification. Attendance of at least 75% of the student body is required at Special Plenary and it gives the students the opportunity to think critically about the Honor Code and how it manifests on campus.
How does Plenary set Haverford apart from other colleges?
When talking with friends from other colleges, they are often in disbelief that we successfully hold Plenary once a semester. Haverford's small size and the general passion coming from students who want to make a change makes Plenary possible. Engagement in discussion before, during, and after the event in both group and personal settings is a product of the students' desire to always make Haverford a better place.
When talking with friends from other colleges, they are often in disbelief that we successfully hold Plenary once a semester. Haverford's small size and the general passion coming from students who want to make a change makes Plenary possible. Engagement in discussion before, during, and after the event in both group and personal settings is a product of the students' desire to always make Haverford a better place.
How have you balanced the time demands between academics, your role with plenary, and softball?
Balancing all these activities keeps me super busy, yet pushes me to make the most of my time. I always keep in mind that everything I do is a valuable opportunity and any activity I have in a day, whether it be going to class, meeting with the deans, or batting practice, is a blessing.
Balancing all these activities keeps me super busy, yet pushes me to make the most of my time. I always keep in mind that everything I do is a valuable opportunity and any activity I have in a day, whether it be going to class, meeting with the deans, or batting practice, is a blessing.
It also helps that I feel supported by my advisors, coaches, and teammates. Just the other day President Benston congratulated my team and I on our recent success in Florida during Spring Training when I saw him in the Dining Center. Hearing this from our college's leader reminds me that Haverford is truly a community where students, faculty, staff, and administration are supportive of one and other.
What is something from the softball field that you have taken into your role in student leadership?
I've always valued encouragement as a leader on the softball field. I believe it's important to make my teammates feel valuable and appreciated as individuals in order for the whole team to be successful. Because of this, I always try to give confidence to other members of Student Council or various student leaders. Being genuinely supportive and hopeful to others creates positive energy and can motivate an individual. In my role as Co-President, it's easy to be encouraging to others as I am constantly inspired by the meaningful projects and tasks SC members take on in hopes of improving student life on campus.
Conversely, what is something you've gleaned from your student leadership experiences that you have applied to Softball?
Group decision making is something we often have to do when discussing on-campus issues in Students' Council meetings. In a large group of diverse representatives, it's important that everyone's voice is heard and that decisions are made through consensus. This translates directly to making team decisions on and off the softball field. My other captains and I try to create a team culture that values everyone's unique opinion—regardless of class year and position. As a captain, I don't think it's my duty to make all of the team's decisions but rather to facilitate and advise conversations with all my teammates that lead to those decisions, just like I do weekly at Students' Council meetings.