Elections for the Lawrence Committee are now open and residents who are students can vote here. Partners and other eligible residents can vote by directly emailing Amber Serrano at as2250@princeton.edu. The voting will be open until Thursday, November 14 at noon (12:00 pm EST). The winners will be announced during the Lawrence Committee meeting to be held on Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 4 pm. You may view the Candidate Statements for the election below.
Candidate Bios
Here are all the candidates, followed below by bios:
President: Harry Fetsch
Secretary: Jack Draney
Social Chair: Teresa Vazquez, Chloe Wheeler
Facilities Manager: Manuel Gallego, Sebastian Guarda
Garden Coordinator: Kimmie Sabsay
Garden Events Manager: Angelique Sayler
External Relations Delegate: Katie Wu
Grants Manager: Carolina Figueiredo, Weiheng Fu
President
Harry Fetsch
Hi! I’m Harry, a 5th year grad student in Plasma Physics. I’ve worked as Grants Manager on the Lawrence Committee for the past two terms and I hope to serve as President of the Committee in the coming year! My main role so far has been securing funding for the Committee to hold events in Lawrence and improve communal facilities. In my time as grants manager, I’ve worked with the Lakeside Committee and the grad school to triple our annual baseline budget. The Lawrence Committee is now working on putting that money to good use! Last spring, we secured a grant from TigerWell to build a permanent greenhouse and are now discussing how to use the remainder of that grant for the benefit of the community. Aside from the Grants Manager responsibilities, I’ve helped (along with all of my wonderful colleagues!) with miscellaneous odd jobs for the Committee, including attending outside meetings as a substitute and helping to set up events.
If elected for the coming year, I look forward to welcoming new members of the committee and setting them up to succeed in their roles, as well as helping all committee members with their responsibilities, including joining meeting with administrators and GSG, and helping with social events. A priority of mine will be to make meetings accessible. This will include opening a form ahead of every town hall (optionally anonymous) to submit questions and comments to the committee. Schedules permitting, I also hope to vary the timing of town halls so that community members with a standing commitment that happens to conflict with the Lawrence town hall can participate if they are interested. I see the role of Committee President as being one of facilitation rather than control – that is, helping the Committee come up with ideas together and act on the rather than unilaterally setting an agenda – and I hope to enable both Committee members and the broader community to pursue some fantastic new programs in the coming year 🙂
Secretary
Jack Draney
Hi everyone! I’m Jack Draney, the current social chair. I’ve learned a lot as the social chair over the past year, and really enjoyed my time serving the Lawrence community. Hopefully you also enjoyed the bonfires etc as much as I have. During my time as social chair, I got to see what the secretary position entails, and what a good secretary like Hannah Rabb can do for the community. As secretary, I hope to provide prompt, detailed, and clear information to the community about things happening here at Lawrence Apartments and the activities of the Lawrence Committee. Hopefully you’ll choose me as the person on the other end of our email inbox!
Social Chair
Teresa Vazquez
Hello Lawrence Community! My name is Teresa Vasquez, and I am thrilled to run for the role of Social Chair. As a grad student spouse from Chile, I’ve enjoyed being part of this vibrant and diverse community for some years and would love the opportunity to contribute more by organizing inclusive, engaging events for all residents.
If elected, I plan to organize a variety of events that bring people together and reflect the diverse interests and backgrounds within our community. Some ideas I have include movie and documentary nights, group workout sessions on weekends, board game nights, and seasonal events like flea markets and heritage celebrations.
I’m passionate about social organizing, and I’m eager to bring my love for event planning to our Lawrence. As Social Chair, I would make sure each event is well-publicized and that tasks are shared among volunteers, so everyone who wants to get involved can contribute. I’m also committed to being an open point of contact, welcoming ideas and feedback to ensure that our events truly represent the interests of our community.
Thank you for considering me for this role—I look forward to the opportunity to continue making Lawrence a connected and enjoyable place to live!
Chloe Wheeler
My name is Chloe Wheeler, and I am a G4 Ph.D. Candidate in Comparative Literature. I work on the intersection of colonial discourses on “true histories” from 15th and 16th century spaces of Imperial Spain; I am interested in transatlantic and transpacific archival studies, mystic female writing, and pseudo-translations.
I moved to Lawrence this September, and I loved it from the beginning, because the neighborly friendliness and welcoming atmosphere were apparent from the first steps I took into my new building. I’m excited to be running for the position of Lawrence’s Social Chair, because the Lawrence community is so much of what makes it a nice place to live. If elected, I hope to plan events that include (but are not limited to) the following: board game nights, recipe exchanges/potlucks, crafting hours, dance workshops (I am an avid tap dancer and always love anything dance-related), study hours, clothing exchanges, and more.
With 3 years’ of experience as Social Chair for my department as well as having served as a co-planner for 3 distinct conferences in my field, I offer the Lawrence community my organizational skills in Event Planning and Marketing, my enthusiasm for social gatherings, and my desire to further build community in relaxed and enriching environments.
Here are a few concrete examples of my experience in event organization and marketing:
1. Social Media Manager, Five Starr Pilates (Long Beach, CA), 2020-2021
2.Social Chair for Comparative Literature Department (Princeton) 2022-Current; 2-3 events per semester
3. Co-planner for 1-day colloquium “Mediated Spiritualities” in Comparative Literature (Breakfast, Lunch, and Bartenders included; Princeton) February 2024
4. Co-planner for 1-day conference “Indelible Footprints” in Spanish and Portuguese (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included; Funded 2 external guests; Princeton) October 2024
5. Co-planner for 1-day conference “Early Modern (Dis)Continuities” in Spanish and Portuguese (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included; Funded 4 external guests; Princeton) October 2024
Thank you in advance for your time spent considering my ideas; I am enthusiastic about serving the Lawrence community in this capacity.
Facilities Manager
Manuel Gallego
Hello Everyone,
I’m Manuel, a grad student in ECE. I’ve been living in Lawrence for the past year and have really grown to love and appreciate this community. As a way to give back, I’m running for the Facilities Manager position on the Lawrence Committee. I bring experience from previous leadership roles, including serving as the Head AI for over 200 students, and as the lab safety officer for my group. During my time at Princeton, I’ve also had the chance to connect with many of the building facilities staff, and I’m excited about the possibility of working alongside them to help maintain our community.
I look forward to meeting you all!
Sebastian Guarda
Hi all! I’m Sebastian Guarda, a G5 in economics who has lived in our dear Lawrence since 2021. After getting to know our home well, I’d love the opportunity to help out as Facilities Manager to ensure our shared spaces and resources are maintained to the highest standard. I have experience in administrating student organizations as the Treasurer of the Graduate Economics Club and the organizer of multiple lunch seminars for students.
I am ready to act as an effective liaison between the Committee and key departments like Housing, Facilities, and OIT. Effective communication is crucial for quick issue resolution, and I am prepared to follow up on unresolved work orders and keeping our community informed on any updates regarding maintenance.
I know that a well-maintained environment greatly enhances our quality of life here, whether it’s ensuring our laundry machines are operational, keeping snow shovels available, or posting clear, informative signage. As Facilities Manager, I will take pride in keeping our shared spaces organized, welcoming, and safe for everyone. Thank you for considering me for this role, I look forward to keeping Lawrence at its best!
Garden Coordinator
Kimmie Sabsay
Hello fellow Lawrence residents! My name is Kimmie Sabsay and I am a fifth year graduate student in QCB/BPY. I am the current Garden Coordinator and was previously the Garden Events Manager. I have been actively involved in the Lawrence Community Garden for four years now and have loved every moment! I am excited to be running for re-election as the Garden Coordinator for the upcoming academic year/ garden season. During my time managing the garden I have helped create the new housing committee member position (the Garden Events Manager (GEM)), established fun and engaging social events, created many communal plots, applied for and received a TigerWell Partnership grant to build the permanent greenhouse, extended the garden season to include winter months, and constructed a large wooden sign board and community FarmStand for sharing harvests.
This past garden season was the first time in notable history that the garden was at maximum occupancy with every plot rented for the season! I hope to continue to help the garden community flourish over the next year! There are many projects I dream about completing next season, all of which focus on creating an engaging space and utilizing the entire garden area efficiently! I would like to build a gravel patio adjacent to the main entrance that will be a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. Currently, the space quickly gets overgrown with weeds so I hope to mitigate this issue and create a long-lasting oasis. I also would like to optimize the storage of our materials to have better organization which includes making an established bucket and watering can rack outside the main shed. I am beyond excited for the next gardening season and hope to serve as your Garden Coordinator again alongside Angelique Sayler as your Garden Events Manager! Thank you for taking the time to participate in the elections!
Garden Events Manager
Angelique Sayler
Hello Lawrence residents! My name is Angelique Sayler, and I have been a resident of the Lawrence apartments since spring 2022, living here with my partner. I am a Licensed Social Worker and currently work full-time as a therapist, while my partner is in his fourth year in the philosophy department. I am excited to announce my candidacy for reelection as the Garden Events Manager for the upcoming academic year and garden season. Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of working alongside Kimmie Sabsay, our wonderful Garden Coordinator, and I have learned so much during this time.
I strongly believe that gardening should be accessible to first-time gardeners, and I am particularly committed to including first-year graduate students and their partners in our community. My goal is to foster an inclusive environment that encourages participation and education among all community members. I envision the garden as a vital hub for connection and learning, and I am eager to implement workshops, seasonal activities, and community workdays that celebrate our garden and strengthen our community bonds. It is my aim to ensure that every event is not only enjoyable but also educational, helping to lower the barriers for new gardeners. Together, we can cultivate not just a garden, but a vibrant and thriving community.
As Garden Events Manager, I have several goals for the upcoming season. First, I plan to host a New Jersey Master Gardener who can share their knowledge about native plants and address general gardening questions. While the garden has recently undergone significant beautification, I would like to continue this process by organizing events focused on decorating our individual plots and enhancing the garden overall. Additionally, I aim to share information about local gardening-related events and workshops in the Princeton area to help integrate our community into the larger Princeton landscape. I am truly grateful for the friendships I have formed within the garden community and look forward to creating many more memories this upcoming season. I hope to serve as your Garden Events Manager alongside Kimmie Sabsay as your Garden Coordinator. Thank you for your consideration.
External Relations Delegate
Katie Wu
Hello! I am Katie Wu, a G5 in the MAE department, and I am running for reelection as the External Relations Delegate of the Lawrence Committee. I have greatly enjoyed working with the Committee to make Lawrence a better place to live, and I hope to do so for another year. If reelected, I will continue to be proactive and diligent in bringing attention to residents’ concerns over mail misdeliveries, transportation and parking, and more. In addition, I intend to work with the Office of Sustainability to improve the execution of events assisting residents in their move out procedures. I am also looking forward to furthering the Committee’s advocacy efforts for increased access and inclusion of student spouses and domestic partners in campus life. Thank you for your consideration, and have a great day!
Grants Manager
Carolina Figueiredo
Hello! I’m Carolina, and I’m running for the position of Grants Manager for The Lawrence Committee. I’m a 4th-year graduate student in Physics, and this is my third year living in Lawrence. As Grants Manager, my primary responsibility would be securing the necessary funding to support Committee events and enhance the communal facilities at Lawrence.
Over the past two years, the Committee has made significant strides, including tripling our annual baseline budget. I’m eager to build on this momentum by working closely with the graduate school to channel more funds into the Lawrence community, as well as proactively seeking out grants that will allow the Committee to bring our community’s goals to fruition. I believe that the TigerWell grants, along with funds from student offices such as the Transfer Student Office and the Sustainability Office, represent promising sources of funding for us that I will work for.
If elected, I will focus on securing the resources needed to support projects in the following areas:
1. Amenities: I plan to collaborate closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure we continue improving the amenities available to our residents. Over the past few years, our community garden has flourished, and I fully support efforts to enhance this space. Key initiatives include building a permanent greenhouse, upgrading the composting system, and expanding gardening activities year-round. Additionally, recognizing the number of pet owners in our community, I will work with residents to improve our pet-friendly spaces, such as improving the dog park, which has recently been damaged.
2. Recreational and Social Events: In partnership with the Social Chair, I will seek funding to support a range of social events throughout the year. In particular I will advocate to organizing a furniture donation event during the move-in/move-out periods.
As Grants Manager, I will also remain receptive to your ideas and needs. My goal is to find the resources necessary to ensure the Lawrence Committee continues to positively impact our community. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions/suggestions 🙂
Weiheng Fu
Hi Lawrence residents!
I am excited to run for Grants Manager on our Committee! I care a lot about the events we all enjoy here and understand how important it is to manage our funds wisely. I would love the chance to work closely with our Social Chair to make sure our gatherings are well-funded and run smoothly.
I have ample experience with financial documentation and handling university purchasing. If I am elected, I will look for additional funding opportunities to help us expand our annual budget so we can plan even more events throughout the year. One specific initiative I would like to pursue is finding funding for secure package lockers outside our buildings—this could help address the package thefts that keep happening.
I am committed to keeping everyone informed on our finances and would make sure the Committee and residents have regular updates on our account balance. Having attended a lot of our Lawrence events myself, I know how meaningful they are for building connections in our community. I’d love to help make them even better by carefully managing our resources.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or ideas about what I can bring to this role!