Jakob Williams' campaign for SBP emphasizes wellness, student support

Jakob Williams’ student body presidential campaign is centered around four main values: inclusivity through diversity, transparency between the student body and University administration, approachability and community empowerment.

“What that means to me, a ‘Carolina We Believe In,’ is one where students feel as if they are empowered to be here," Williams said. "They are empowered to be a Tar Heel.”

“That ‘we’ is a very important word in [our] motto,” Nicholas Williams, the field director for Jakob Williams’ campaign, said. “If we can't all come together to a greater good or greater purpose, what are we really doing?” 

Williams currently serves as student body secretary. He's been involved with student government for years as a staffer for the Undergraduate Student Government Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Executive Manager to former student body President Christopher Everett. He is also the co-founder of The Law Society at Carolina.

Williams’ policy document outlines proposals including reinstating previously removed Wellness Days, requiring professors to upload Canvas sites at least three days before classes begin and implementing a grade replacement policy to remove lower grades from a student’s record when a course is retaken. 

Williams also suggested adding “Catch-Up Days” to the undergraduate curriculum, which would be department-specific rather than University-wide. Deans would approve of these days and notify professors to implement them in their classrooms.

“Classes would still be in session, but the professor would dedicate the class to a period where you can catch up on the work from the class and ask questions — stuff like that, so where there wouldn't be so much new material added on,” he said.

Eden Aulis-Campos, a first-generation Mexican-American is the policy director for the Williams’ campaign. She helped write Williams’ policy to instate academic advisors specifically trained to address the unique challenges facing undocumented students, saying that the “immense fear” she had for her undocumented loved ones after President Donald Trump’s election and Chancellor Lee Roberts’ statement that UNC would comply with ICE, inspired her.

Aulis-Campos said undocumented students may not feel like they have a community to turn to on campus. She said that this program could give them the ease they deserve.

Along with a policy to establish an independent multicultural council to enhance collaboration between student government and cultural organizations, a key component of Williams' campaign involves fostering an environment that advocates for all students.

Khizra Ahmad, the campaign manager of Williams’ team, emphasized Williams’ commitment to advocate for other students, regardless of the challenges. 

“We're elected to represent students. That's what students want. That's what we have to do, regardless of what the administration wants," Ahmad said. "We're not here to be spokespersons of administration. We're here to be spokespersons of the students.”

When asked about his campaign proposals, Williams said he will not make false promises. His experience in student government has allowed him to see how administration works and sit in meetings with campus officials, which he said makes him believe there is always a way to combat pushback.

“My real main reason why I'm really wanting to run is to ensure that we as students on this campus feel as though we have a voice, and not only that we have a voice, but we are empowered to use our voice,” he said. “We should not be scared or ashamed or frightened of what could happen if we use our voices.”

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