FRIDAY,MARCH 28,2003
STUDENT SENATE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
'Go-getter' candidate wants Senate to be more welcoming
By Henry C. Jackson
cjackson@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Fallon Farokhi speaks fluent Farsi, has competency in French and Italian and she'd like to learn Spanish.
Her formidable language skills have allowed Farokhi to feel comfortable in a variety of exotic locales, including Iran and Italy. Now she has her sights set on someplace closer to home: the student body vice presidency. She is Drew Thomas' running mate for the Delta Force coalition.
"Fallon's a multitasker. She can have so many things to do,but she always has time."
Lauren Salvini
Lawrence sophomore
"I just thought this was the next natural attempt for me to do something on campus," said F a r o k h i , Lawrence junior. "I figured I'm still on campus and I'm not done yet. I wanted to do something more."
Though she's
Though she's lived in Lawrence since she was 3 years old, Farokhi was born in Switzerland. Her family is of Iranian descent, which is how she learned Farsi, the most common language in the Middle Eastern country. Her parents make trips back to Iran at least once a year.
Being involved has been a part of
Meet the Candidates
Editor's note: To prepare students for Student Senate elections, The University Daily Kansan will profile each coalition's presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Farokhi's life since coming to the University of Kansas in the Fall 2000. As a freshman, she served on the Multicultural Affairs committee and was appointed as an associate senator. Since then, Farokhi has served in various posts in Student Union Activities, including the organization's presidency this year.
Farakhi's father, Saeed Farokhi, who is a professor of aerospace engineering at the University, said his daughter had been a leader throughout her life.
"She's always been a go-getter," he said. "We've sensed her leadership skills since she was a child. She's truly a people person."
Noticeably absent from Farokhi's résumé is long-term experience as a student senator. Though she's served as cochair of Senate's Multicultural Affairs committee for the last two yeas, she said the negative image Senate had with much of the student body pushed her away from more work in the organization.
Making Senate a more welcoming place will be one of Farokhi's top goals if she is elected.
'When people come to committee
meetings or they come around the office, people don't talk to them," she said. "I feel like with the vice presidency I can have relationships with people and change that."
Farokhi said her experience in SUA as well as a good understanding of Senate rules and procedures made her prepared for the responsibilities of being student body vice president.
"Fallon's a multitasker," said Lauren Salvini, Lawrence sophomore and friend of Farokhi since they were in eighth grade. "She can have so many things to do, but she always has time."
Being busy doesn't stop Farokhi from finding time for herself. Farokhi frequents coffee shops, listens to international music and plays the piano, trumpet, drums and percussion. She also has a secret vice.
"Looking at books for kids is always guaranteed to bring a smile to my face," Farokhi, who's an elementary education major, said. "I spend up to three hours in Borders, just looking at books for kids."
Farokhi said she planned to pursue a master's degree at the University when she graduated next spring.
As for her long-term future, Farokhi remains ambivalent. Though an elementary education major doesn't suggest a future in politics, she's keeping her options open.
"I haven't ruled anything out yet," she said.
Edited by Michelle Burhenn
Anton Bubnovskiy/Kansan
Fallon Farokhi, Lawrence junior, is running for student body vice president with Drew Thomas. Hays senior, as part of the Delta Force coalition. Farokhi now serves as Student Union Activities president.
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