James Skyles for SBA President

April 6, 2007

The Students of Ave Maria School of Law
Ave Maria School of Law
3475 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Re: Letter of Intent, Candidacy for President of the Student Bar Association

Dear SBA Officers, Senators, and Students:

I am writing to announce my intention to run for President of the Student Bar Association. It is my hope to, in that possition, make a positive impact on Student Life at Ave Maria School of Law.

Prior to coming to Ave Maria, I served as President of the Student Senate at William Rainey Harper College. During that period, there was much consternation regarding a major change in the institution—a conflict into which students were unexpectedly thrown. As President, I used my influence to organize students, facilitate communication, and successfully steer the student body through their role in the issue. The positive force that was created by constructive student involvement helped to ease tensions and promoted an atmosphere that was conducive to solutions. In the end, we survived, the school survived and it is now thriving.

While I do not harbor illusions about the power of presidency, my experience has made me aware of the meaning of students in the well-being of an academic institution. We know that the past two years have been a struggle for all of us. It is undeniable that we have found ourselves in a crisis, but it is interesting to note that in Mandarin Chinese, two characters are used to make the word “crisis—the first means “danger”; the second means “opportunity”. It is the opportunity for a better future I hope will be the focus of the SBA.

My goal as president will be three-fold: 1) to improve the spiritual life of students on campus 2) to direct the student voice on campus in productive ways, and 3) to encourage student involvement in activities.

First, we need to improve the spiritual life on campus. I am very grateful for and appreciative of all the work done by those who have taken the initiative to begin and participate in all of our spiritual activities. There is more we can do as a community. Interfaith dialogue, spiritual discipleship, and organized scripture studies will work to help improve the spiritual life of students of the many faiths on campus.

Secondly, there are proactive ways we can help increase the student voice on campus. As attorneys we will be a part of one of the three classical healing professions: Doctors work to heal the body, Clergy, the soul, and Attorneys (historically) have worked to heal relationships. In light of Catholic intellectual tradition, we need to focus on the role of an Attorney as healing profession. We can do that through positive community involvement.

Lastly, in increasing student involvement on campus, I would work to encourage involvement in student activities, and diversify the activity offerings. Our traditional activities are important, but there exists a potential to create new academic publications, and expanded opportunities to engage in open dialogue over intellectual issues affecting the Catholic Legal Tradition, and the application and implementation of the legal tradition in the modern world in ways that will effect the most change.

Thank you all for consideration and I look forward to receiving your support.

Yours in Christ,

James Skyles

SBA President Candidate 2007
J.D. Candidate, expected 2008

Posted by James Skyles on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 9:18 AM | Permalink