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QUAKER CAMPUS Sept. 18, 2025

Volume 24 — Issue 2

The voice of Whittier College since 1914

Can the Next Vice President Top Josten?

Courtesy of Evan Josten Evan Josten steps down to continue shaping his future. Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR Whittier College’s former Associated Student Senate Vice President says the body’s biggest recent win was not a single bill or event; it was a culture change. In an interview recounting his tenure from September 2023 through May 2025, the two-time VP, Evan Josten described an organization that moved from low expectations and uneven participation to clearer standards, near-perfect attendance, and tighter communication both internally with Senate and with externally senior administrators. “We implemented more accountability policies […] keeping people accountable in their positions because they are elected by the student body,” he explained, noting that the Senate clarified absence rules and normalized proactive communication around emergencies and mental health needs. Josten's path into student government began with a narrow defeat during his first semester. “I lost the presidency by one vote […] 16 to 15,” he recalls. He went on to serve as Secretary and Treasurer of the Freshman Class Council after the elected treasurer dropped out. This became his first taste of campus leadership. He later became involved with the Whittier Student Worker Alliance (WSWA) during campus labor actions and eventually ran for Academic Affairs Representative, winning the position. When a leadership shift elevated the Vice President to President, he stepped into the Vice Presidency and served two terms. The motivation, he said, was rooted in a campus mood that felt “very down” during his first year, when students feared the college might close. “I did not want that to happen,” he explains. “I have developed a lot of emotional attachment to this school […]

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administrators had communicated more openly once they realized the concern. Chairing Senate meetings also brought challenges. One contentious moment came when Senators debated whether one student could represent two positions, one voting and one nonvoting. Ensuring respectful debate while upholding Quaker values required careful mediation. More broadly, he described the constant tension between what the Senate wanted to accomplish and what its bylaws allowed. “A lot of times, unfortunately, what is best for the student body is not allowed by the Senate,” he replies, adding that his role required finding alternate routes to achieve student goals while staying within procedural bounds. The decision to step down at the end of Spring 2025 was not sudden. “I love Senate […] but I was beginning to understand my own capabilities,” he states. After two years, he felt his voice had been “heard plenty” and wanted to make room for new leadership. He also admitted to feeling burned out. “Senate is a lot of work, a lot of meetings, a lot of late nights,” he says, adding that campus issues often “seep into” his personal life. Balancing that load with academics, graduate school applications, and personal time became increasingly difficult. Leaving, however, was not easy. “I really enjoy being Vice President. I have good ideas and I like being able to get my good ideas out there,” he adds. “I am someone who usually does not like change.” Ultimately, he concludes the choice was the right one, saying he now feels excited to see what the next generation of Senate leaders will accomplish. Beyond the Senate, he juggled leadership and academic roles as lead Student Ambassador in the Admissions office, a writing tutor at

the Writing Center, a Mellon Mays Fellow, and an active participant in Model United Nations. Last semester, he was inducted into the political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and elected as its president. As a double major in Political Science and Sociology, Josten said he will continue to be engaged in student life and academics during his senior year, even without the demanding schedule of the Senate. Reflecting on his two years, he avoided regrets but admits he learned important lessons about inclusion and communication. He says he would have been more proactive in asking for feedback earlier and in thinking carefully about language in policies. “I do not like to look back and regret,” he reflects, “but I did learn more.” For the current Senate, he offered advice centered on patience and perspective. “Take everything with a grain of salt […] A lot of these issues are bigger than just one person,” he consults, cautioning new leaders not to absorb too much of other students’ frustrations as their own. Ultimately, he hopes his legacy will led to a Senate that is empowered, effective, and unafraid to speak up. “I hope that students […] feel empowered to make change, to have their voices heard, to be loud, be present, be involved,” he states. “I never took a single day in my office for granted […] I am so appreciative and grateful to have had the opportunity to serve for two academic years as vice president.” As for this academic year, there are current elections open for Senate positions: Non-Traditional Representative, Freshman Class Council, and Vice President. The voting will take place on Sept. 15 to 19. To vote visit the Senate’s Instagram page at @aswc_senate and see the candidates that are currently in the running.

knowing the students, knowing faculty.” The accomplishments of his tenure, he says, were as just as focused on shifting culture as about concrete wins. He credited the executive board, faculty advisor, and full Senate with creating clear internal norms and delivering “100 percent or nearly 100 percent,” meeting attendance across his term. Senators also received a longoverdue pay increase to recognize the workload and offset inflation. He oversaw the cleanup of the Senate Constitution and budget request guidelines to make them more accessible to the student body. Perhaps most significantly, he described strong collaboration with President Kristine Dillon, who served first as interim and then as President, and other senior leaders, who often invited the Senate into decision-making processes before major announcements. “That is the standard,” he comments, “they should communicate, they should listen, they should ask.” One of the most visible moments of his Vice Presidency came during the controversy over moving the graduation ceremony from the stadium back to the amphitheater. Many students felt blindsided, and some feared the decision mirrored earlier program cuts. The Senate invited President Dillon and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sal Johnston to a public meeting to hear concerns, including a petition calling for a return to the stadium. Administrators also hosted open office hours to discuss the issue. “We will take some of the credit for helping cultivate that conversation and making students feel comfortable enough to come to us,” he reflects. Although he admits feeling blindsided himself, he later attended the ceremony and said he found Courtesy of Evan Josten the amphitheater “a nice spot Evan Josten makes a legacy on the Senate as Vice President. [and] cozy,” and appreciated that

World Recap • The United Nations (U.N) has deemed Israel's action in Gaza as genocide. According to AP News, the report was issued on Tuesday, Sept. 16. This report asks for countries to send aid and help end the genocide. • The former Brazilian President Bolsonaro has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison. This comes as a result of the coup attempt in 2022 after he lost the Presidential election. According to New York Times, the coup consisted of "disbanding courts, empowering the military and assasinating the presidentelect." • According to The Wall Street Journal, citizens in Poland are in fear of being involved in the Russian-Ukrainian war. On Sept. 10, Polish citizens found themselves between a crossfire of Russian drones and NATO jet fighters. "The country has already been the target of Russian sabotage operations." • On Sept. 15, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was the first woman president to peform the grito. According to Los Angeles Times, "the grito, the shout of independence comermorating the country's break from colonial rule." Shienbaum has maintained a high approval rate of 70 percent for her year in presidency. • On Sept. 16, China stated they have fired water cannons at Philippine ships according to Reuters. There was only one person injured, but the incident invloved the destruction of 10 Philippine ships. The ships were accused "of having illegally invaded China's territorial waters of the Scarborough Shoal from different directions." • According to Reuters, the death rate in Nepal has risen to 72 admist of the anti-corruption protests. Many young citizens of Nepal were protesting throughout the capital and various cities. This led to the resigniation of prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. Now, Chief Justice Sushila Karki is interim prime minister and is the first woman to led the country. The current prime minister's office is closed because it was set on fire during the protests.