With election week approaching, what better time to learn about one of the student government parties on campus? Surge, FSU’s self-described progressive party, proudly introduced its all-women executive slate for the Spring 2024 election. The candidates include Rania Chehaitli for Student Body President, Lisbeth Castellanos for Vice President, and Lauren Butrum for Treasurer.
The Surge student senators have been busy passing several significant pieces of legislation lately. Resolution 23, co-sponsored by Vice Presidential Candidate and current senator Castellanos, declares that Florida State University recognizes and cherishes Black History Month and that it should be honored and preserved in the years to come.
To address the rising issue of spiking instances at FSU, Ella Garcia, a fellow Surge senator, led the initiative to supply drink covers to students. She spent hours fighting relentlessly for this bill, and her efforts have paid off. Because of the passed bill, FSU will distribute 2K NightCap coverings across campus.
Garcia was motivated to create the bill because she knows several people who had been victims of drink spiking at FSU. “I didn’t realize how big of a problem victim shaming still was, and so seeing that motivated me to put this bill out there, because I knew that we could be doing more,” says Garcia. One of Surge’s platform promises is to provide these covers to all FSU students!
Leading the Surge party as a first-generation Lebanese-American, Rania Chehaitli isn’t scared to speak up for what she believes in. Chehaitli served as Surge’s Activism Chair and is currently the party’s Vice Chair for Internal Affairs. In addition, Chehaitli served in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s 75th Student Senate Program and was this past summer’s president pro tempore. Chehaitli also supported funding for the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness to provide free menstrual products during her time as a student senator.
Chehaitli has spoken out at the Florida Capitol against Senate Bill 470, which affects college students’ free speech and protest rights, as well as the six-week abortion ban. She was also chosen to attend the FSU Honors Program trip to Washington, D.C. While there, she had the opportunity to chat with NBC journalists Kristen Welker and Chuck Todd, giving her a unique perspective on politics in D.C.
Chehaitli is a highly experienced candidate who is passionate about the work she does. She wants to pursue a career as a lawyer for the International Criminal Court, defending human rights all around the world.
Surge’s other platform ideas include pushing for the Office of Governmental Affairs to lobby against anti-gun control bills, anti-DEI bills, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which I believe is one of the party’s strongest ideas. I also like their idea of keeping FSU IDs in our Apple Wallet because I frequently forget mine at home. Finally, they hope to make parking charges payable in canned food contributions to FSU’s food pantry, which is an excellent way to give back to students experiencing food poverty.
Surge has done a lot for our campus that I was not aware of until now. One example is their initiative to have electronic benefit transfers accepted on campus. As a recipient of these benefits, I believe this was one of the most important things our school could have done to ensure equal opportunities for all students.
Surge consists of passionate leaders who aren’t afraid to advocate for change. This week, VP candidate Castellanos plans to submit a resolution pushing the Tallahassee city government to reinstall the Black Lives Matter mural on Gaines Street.
This executive slate is made up of leaders who have dedicated themselves to their work. I am amazed by all of these outspoken, driven, strong, and determined women. They inspire me and other women to always stand up for what is right and to never give up. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” And with that, happy Women’s History Month!
To learn more about Surge FSU and their platform, check out their Instagram here.
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