Abdul & Samiat for Student Body President and Vice President

Thank you and for mobilizing and organizing the protest to demand Justice for Daunte Wright. We look forward to continuing the fight to cease UMPD Support of MN Police Departments and establishing a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC).

Statement on the Murder of Daunte Wright & Demand to Cease UMPD Support of MN Police Departments:

“We demand that the University uphold their commitment to prioritize the safety and security of BIPOC students by ending support to greater municipal police departments and formally ceasing their relationship with the West Command Task Force.”

Pease visit z.umn.edu/CeaseUMPDSupport to sign on to this letter and send to University leadership.

The votes are in! We’re honored to have been elected as your 2021-2022 Undergraduate Student Body President and Vice Presidents! Congratulations to all the candidates who ran and were elected down ballot. The full results can be viewed at acec.umn.edu.

We’re humbled that you put your trust in us to lead our campus. Whether you voted for us or not, we will work tirelessly to hold our institution accountable and put the interest of all students first.

We’re excited for what the future has in store!〽️

Today is your final day to vote! Voting closes at 8 pm. If you haven’t voted yet, please visit vote.umn.edu and cast your ballot!

For The Students

Thank you to everyone that’s voted for us so far. We’re getting down to the wire, but let’s not lose our momentum!

If you haven’t voted already, please visit vote.umn.edu to cast your ballot!

For The Students

UMN Students for a Democratic Society Endorsement:

“Students for a Democratic Society endorses Abdul and Samiat for Student Body President and Vice President because they stand for police accountability and racial justice on campus. They demand the full demilitarization of UMPD and the establishment of an elected Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC) made up of students, staff, and community members. As they’ve already demonstrated in their advocacy, Abdul and Samiat will continue to uplift Black students, and will hold the University accountable for its complicity in the struggle for police violence. They have been diligent in engaging with our demands and we look forward to working with them going forward.”

Thank you SDS for your endorsement! To vote, visit vote.umn.edu.

Tune in tomorrow and Thursday to learn more about why we’re running and our platform!

Don’t forget to vote this week! Visit vote.umn.edu to cast your ballot.

African Student Association Endorsement:

“The African Student Association is choosing to endorse Abdul and Samiat because their mission is one that advocates and supports all students, especially the voices and concerns of underserved groups. They are heavily involved at the University and strive to put students first in everything they do. Their platforms aligns with the core values of our organization, one that looks to foster a more equitable and inclusive campus. Whether it’s ensuring academic success, improving campus safety and transportation, or providing better mental health support, we believe they are more than capable to lead on these key issues and make a lasting impact in our community.”

Happy first day of voting! We appreciate all the support that everyone’s given us so far. We’re in the home stretch of this campaign, so let’s keep the momentum of creating a more equitable and inclusive campus!

For The Students

Voting opens up TOMORROW! Vote at vote.umn.edu. If you have any questions, please let us know. For more information about our campaign, please visit our website at abdulandsamiat.com

Thank you to everyone who’s helped out and contributed to our campaign! We really couldn’t do it without you. Let’s make this last week count!

For the Students

Transportation:

“With a University that spans over three campus spaces and over city lines, it is pertinent to make sure that transportation is available and accessible for all students.”

Visit z.umn.edu/ASTransportation to learn more about our Transportation platform!

UMN Student Basic Needs Coalition Endorsement:

“Abdul and Samiat’s platforms showcase their dedication and passion for prioritizing the demands of the student body. Their leadership and previous experiences prove that they are truly fighting for a better campus. Student Basic Needs Coalition endorses Abdul and Samiat because we believe they will actively work for the accessibility of basic needs resources and lift up voices that have previously been silenced.”

Ensuring Academic Success:

“Strong academic support is directly tied to student success. Accessibility to academic resources and accommodations is essential to an equitable college experience. We will fight for educational policies that put the needs of students first.”

Visit z.umn.edu/ASEnsuringAcademicSuccess to learn more about our Ensuring Academic Success platform!

UMN National Association of Black Accountants (NABA):

“The National Association of Black Accountants Student Chapter at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities officially endorses Abdul and Samiat. With a focus on reimagining student life, this team has the vision to revolutionize the student experience to ensure campus is an inclusive and safe place for all. Abdul and Samiat have ambitious goals backed with avouched plans of action to provide tangible results. Most importantly, students from various backgrounds - race, ethnicity, course of study, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation etc. - are considered by Abdul and Samiat, to intentional progress the Twin Cities campus into a better place for everyone.”

College Affordability:

“The rising costs of Higher Education are leaving countless numbers of students behind. Due to the pandemic, several students have been forced to put their academic aspirations on hold. Many of these students are from marginalized backgrounds. It’s time to make substantial and permanent investments so that students can spend less to earn a quality degree.”

Visit z.umn.edu/ASCollegeAffordability to learn more about our College Affordability platform!

UMN Students for Climate Justice:

“Choosing to support Abdul and Samiat was one of the easiest decisions we have made as a student organization. Every component of their platform is thoroughly researched and centers student organizers’ concerns. In regards to environmental justice, they have put together a unique environment accountability campaign that does not simply focus on the sustainability, but necessary structural changes. This includes pushing the administration to take crucial steps such as the disclosure and divestment of fossil fuels and declaring a climate emergency. Abdul and Samiat are fantastic and accomplished candidates and make it clear that they are ready to hold the University accountable. We are excited to endorse their campaign and to see all that they accomplish as MSA President and Vice President.”

Environmental Accountability:

“The University has a unique opportunity to ensure the sustainability of our surrounding communities. We need to develop solution-based strategies and structures to address the current climate emergency.”

Visit z.umn.edu/ASEnvironmentalAccountability to learn more about our Environmental Accountability platform.

Sexual Assault:

“According to a 2016 study from the Department of Justice, 1 in 5 undergraduate women across the country have experienced some kind of sexual assault while in college. Unfortunately, common issues in sexual assault are often underreported. We will continue the fight to eliminate sexual assault and create a safe campus atmosphere.”

Visit z.umn.edu/ASSexualAssault to read our full platform on Protecting Victims and Survivors and Preventing Sexual Assault.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI):

“As a public land-grant institution that was founded in 1851, the University has an obligation to reckon with its history and the disproportionate impacts it poses to marginalized communities today. Every policy and position incorporated in our platform will be looked at and implemented from an intersectional lens. Our mission is to listen and take into account diverse perspectives across the University system.”

Visit z.umn.edu/ASJEDI to learn more about our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion platform.

“This past year has shown us how important it is that we have good leadership that is actively fighting for our best interests. Abdul and Samiat have been doing real work for our campus long before this campaign, and it’s clear that they won’t stop until all their goals are achieved. They have a great understand of student needs and have actionable plans to fulfill them. I’m proud to fully support Abdul and Samiat!”

Amanuel Nigatu (he/him/his) is majoring in Kinesiology, with a minor in Psychology, in the College of Education & Human Development. He is a second-year student who serves as the Public Relations Officer for the Ethiopian Student Association.

For The Students

“We’re in a crisis of mental health on campus. It’s a concern that affects a student’s academic performance, well-being, and safety. We will advocate to expand and improve mental health services, peer support networks, and provide culturally appropriate resources, especially for student from marginalized backgrounds.

Visit z.umn.edu/ASMentalHealth to read our full platform on Mental Health

Expanding and Improving Access to Mental Health Resources:

“We’re in a crisis of mental health on campus. It’s a concern that affects a student’s academic performance, well-being, and safety. We will advocate to expand and improve mental health services, peer support networks, and provide culturally appropriate resources, especially for student from marginalized backgrounds.

Visit z.umn.edu/ASMentalHealth to read our full platform on Mental Health

The All Campus Elections Team will be hosting a “MSA Meet & Greet” on Wednesday, March 17th from 6 PM to 7 PM.

The event will be a great chance to get to know us and hear about why we’re running!

Join the Zoom at z.umn.edu/asmeetandgreet

UMN Swipe Out Hunger Endorsement:

“Abdul and Samiat are a team that do more than understand the needs of students, but work to address them through realistic and consequential initiatives. Swipe Out Hunger recognizes the commitment they have repeatedly shown as individuals and members of student government to holding our University accountable for the well-being of students. We believe in and endorse this team because we know they will prioritize students who have been repeatedly silenced, and we are ready to help them in their fight against student hunger”

Increasing Housing Support and Protection:

With the rise in off-campus housing rates and the inaccessibility of University student housing resources, its past time that we eliminate housing insecurity. We need to ensure that all students have access to safe, affordable housing.

For the Students

Reducing Food Insecurity Amongst Students:

Food insecurity, the lack of consistent access to enough, healthy food, is unacceptably high among students on campus. Boynton Health’s Student Health Survey notes that nearly 1 in 5 students worries about whether they will run out of food before they have money to buy more.

Visit z.umn.edu/ASFoodInsecurity to read our full platform on Food Insecurity.

Henry Bird (he/him/his) is double majoring in Political Science and History in the College of Liberal Arts. He is a third-year student who serves as the Treasurer and Vice-President of Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Christopher Tadros (he/him/his) is majoring in Human Physiology, with a minor in Public Health, in the College of Liberal Arts. He is a third-year student who serves as a member of the UMM Ballroom Dance Club and Vice President of Recruitment at Beta Theta Pi.

For The Students

“As a Black student who has faced endless amounts of wrongdoing and injustice at this institution, I am in full support of Abdul and Samiat’s campaign vision of creating a more equitable and inclusive campus for students. We have to seek action within our police department, help fund diversity and inclusion programs, and ultimately reassess how our systems operate. Samiat and Abdul are looking to spearhead all of these initiatives, and I’m looking forward to seeing change on campus”

Elias Gessesse (he/him/his) is majoring in Management Information Systems, with a minor in Business Analytics, in the Carlson School of Management. He is a second-year student who serves as an executive board member on the Ethiopian Student Association.

For The Students

Building Trust and Holding UMPD Accountable:

The University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD) claims to hold the trust of our community but has continuously failed in its basic duty to protect and serve students. Understanding the current policing structure requires recognizing systemic failures imbedded within the institution of policing itself.

Visit z.umn.edu/ASUMPD to read our full platform on UMPD.

“Abdul and Samiat is the team that I trust to lead our University community through this period of uncertainty. I know that they possess the skills required to lead the Student Body through advocacy and outreach. They have the skills needed to create lasting changes here at the University that will make us a more inclusive community for all our peers.”

Russell Brown (he/him/his) is double majoring in Political Science and English, with a minor in Business Law, in the College of Liberal Arts. He is a first-year student who serves as a Health Advocate for Comstock Hall and a member of the Board of Directors at Student Legal Services.

For the Students

“Abdul and Samiat are two people that I can count on to be a voice for everyone on campus, not just a select few. Their ample experience & involvement with the many student organizations at the University makes them uniquely qualified to effectively serve the campus community. They’ve done more than enough to prove their considerable commitment to establishing positive and equitable changes at the University through their extensive plans on their platform. I look forward to seeing what these two will bring to the table!”

Choolwe Haaman (he/him/his) is majoring in Psychology, with minors in Biology & Public Health, in the College of Liberal Arts. He is a third-year student who serves as the Secretary to the African Student Association.

For the Students

Samiat (she/her/hers)

Samiat is currently a third-year student studying Sociology: Policy Analysis with a minor in Public Health. On-campus, she currently serves as the President of the Black Student Union () and Forum Liaison of the African Student Association (). Samiat has also been an ambassador for the Undergraduate Public Health Association and Boynton Student Advisory Board, which promotes campus health initiatives and community health education through events and community engagement.

Samiat has a passion for ensuring that every student on campus’ voice is heard. The pandemic and murder of George Floyd have amplified students need for a leader who is selflessly dedicated to serving their community. Samiat plans to bring a new perspective to the Minnesota Student Association and advocate for the students who are often neglected by the University system.

When Samiat isn’t spending time advocating for students, you can find her either painting ,cooking, or making a TikTok. She would call herself the greatest ukulele player of all time, which is saying a lot since she only knows three chords.

Abdul (he/him/his)

He is a second-year student studying Political Science with a minor in Business Law. On-campus, he currently serves as the Government and Legislative Affairs Federal Coordinator for the Minnesota Student Association, building federal advocacy partnerships to positively impact University students and the campus community. He’s also the Project Assistant for the Gopher Equity Project, an initiative aimed at creating a more equitable and inclusive campus.

Abdul is dedicated to ensuring that the University prioritizes students over profit. Through his work, he’s seen first hand the inequities and challenges that marginalized students face on campus. If elected, he will uplift and empower all students, regardless of backgrounds, majors, or identities.

When he has down time, Abdul enjoys watching basketball and soccer, two sports he’s played since he was younger. He’s also a big RnB and Hip Hop fan, with Bryson Tiller and Drake being his favorite artists.

Hello, we are Abdul and Samiat! We are thrilled to officially launch our campaign to run for Student Body President and Vice President for the 2021-2022 school year. The two of us have spent weeks collaborating with students to create a strong platform that advocates for a better University 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.

Link to our website is in our bio!

Photographer: .lee
Logo Creation:

Abdul & Samiat for Student Body President and Vice President updated their website address.