By Gao Na Yang
It's been four years since the ASUP Senate has had a non-traditional student.
On Oct. 12, the senate voted to admit Karen Wilhite as a representative of non-traditional students.
"My goal as a senator is to encourage more involvement and sense of community within the non-traditional student body," Wilhite said.
Non-traditional students are simply students who are 25 or older. Typically, they return to school after either taking a break or deciding to switch careers.
Wilhite, who is 34, has worked as a residential counselor at a treatment facility for troubled youth and an emancipation specialist for foster youth. She has also led skill-building groups that helped at-risk teens.
Wilhite decided to resume her collegiate studies because she believes it will help her advance on the job ladder.
According to ASUP Executive Board Secretary Samantha Riofta, it's important that non-traditional students be represented on the ASUP Senate, which is made up of undergraduate students representing various constituencies.
Senators, for example, may represent a dorm, a school or the freshman, sophomore, junior or senior class.
Riofta said Wilhite's election would help make other non-traditional students feel more connected to UP.
"I do believe that unawareness of non-traditional students will be fixed," Riofta said. "And this is why we need Wilhite as a senator."
The process of becoming senator has been difficult but worthwhile for Wilhite, she said.
Most ASUP senators were elected through online voting last month.
However, students who did not receive enough votes but still wanted to be on the senate had to present a petition containing signatures from 10 percent of their constituency or 50 signatures, whichever was less.
Therefore, out of 114 non-traditional students at UP, Wilhite had to attain 11 votes, or signatures.
"I didn't know a lot of students let alone non-traditional students," Wilhite said.
Adding to the challenge was the fact that non-traditional students typically live off-campus, Wilhite said.
They have other commitments besides school, such as families and full-time jobs.
Wilhite found that Facebook was a valuable resource in connecting with off-campus students.
"Thankfully, the Executive Board was very eager in getting a non-traditional representative in the senate," Wilhite said.
"And they helped with getting the word out and offering advice," she said.
Non-traditional student Mallory Glover was the first to sign Wilhite's petition.
Her attempt to electronically vote for Wilhite was not successful due to a computer malfunction during the election, Glover explained.
"Having someone to represent you, who understands the problems that arise would be a way for the non-traditional students to feel like they belong," Glover said.
The disconnection and isolation from the rest of the students that non-traditional students feel is an important issue to Wilhite.
She wants to correct the problem by establishing better communication and resources, such as a place for non-traditional students to meet and create stronger bonds.
"As a social work student,my goal is to become active in my community and advocate for the rights of others," Wilhite said.
Wilhite said she has received a positive response and support from many people on campus.
She wants to make UP a better place for non-traditional students.
"My hope is that by sharing my experience we can address this issue and make the process a little easier for those transferring from another school," Wilhite said.
It's not easy coming to this school as a non-traditional student and feeling like the odd one out, Glover said.
Glover feels that Wilhite deserves support from both traditional and non-traditional students.
"I think she has the stamina to be a great senator," Glover said.
