The two candidates running for Duke Student Government vice president for Durham and regional affairs hope to increase student engagement in Durham by promoting community service initiatives.
Sophomore Ubong Akpaninyie emphasized his experience as a Durham and regional affairs senator for the past two years. As a freshman, Akpaninyie said he was actively involved in the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership and helped foster a cooperative relationship between students and members of the Trinity Heights Neighborhood Association. Freshman Gordon Wilson, a senator on the same committee, said his experience as a tutor for Carter Community School in Durham has helped him interact with residents and gain a deeper understanding of the area.
Akpaninyie said if elected, he will team up with organizations like the Duke Partnership for Service to increase student outreach in Durham through various community service projects.
“I really want to focus on the role of vice president [for Durham and regional affairs]... and one of these roles is to create a partnership with the Office of Student Activities and Facilities or the Duke Center for Civic Engagement to have new community initiatives,” he said.
Although Akpaninyie said student engagement with Durham has improved, he noted that Duke should follow the example of service initiatives at other colleges across the country. He referenced Florida State University’s “The Big Event,” one of the nation’s largest annual service events in which students serve the local community for one day, according to the event’s Web site.
Because students are often pressed for time, a one-day event would be the most efficient way to encourage civic involvement, Akpaninyie added.
“As Duke students, we are inherently busy with work and extending ourselves... the reality is Duke students have to maximize their time,” he said. “What I’ve been doing this year and want to do next year is modeling Duke on other universities and how they have interaction with the community.”
Akpaninyie added that he hopes to host events in conjunction with other institutions, such as with North Carolina Central University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Student Affairs senator Ebonie Simpson, a sophomore, said Akpaninyie’s passion for the committee is unique, pointing to his devotion and experience.
“I know his work ethic—he’s very hard-working and makes sure the outcome is what he wants. He’s very passionate about Durham and regional affairs,” Simpson said. “He makes sure things are done and done well, and takes a lot of peoples’ ideas into consideration.”
Wilson emphasized his passion for community service and engagement, adding that his work in DSG has led to a more encompassing outreach program in Durham. Next year, he hopes to tap into pre-existing resources and projects.
“I feel one thing that is missing is a cohesive Web site... to demonstrate all the volunteer resources in the Durham area as well as pre-existing Durham non-profit organizations,” Wilson said. “I want to bring together the resources of the Center for Civic Engagement and Duke Partnership for Service.”
Wilson said he has started working on this project with the Duke Innovative Design Agency.
This year, he helped to organize the March 21 Durham CROP Walk, in which thousands of locals walked across campus to raise funds to help alleviate global poverty.
He also wants to work with the athletics and campus services committee to bring local residents to basketball games in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Although basketball games are some of the most “desirable” events on campus, they are also the least accessible, he noted.
“I want to bring the Duke spirit into the Durham community,” Wilson said. “My experience in the community has certainly given me the insight into the sort of tensions and perspectives of Duke from Durham citizens.”
Wilson added that he has a good understanding of student perspectives from his work with other organizations such as Common Ground, Blue Devils United and Duke Debate.
Freshman Chris Brown, a Durham and regional affairs senator who is running for vice president for athletics and campus services, said Wilson is very informed about Durham and constantly uses his knowledge to promote involvement in the area.
“In terms of production on the committee, his knowledge about Durham and people to talk to and the way we can improve relations… he’s the person to go to” Brown said. “Literally, the knowledge he has about areas and the ways Duke-Durham involvement can be improved is really impressive.”
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