Get to Know the Kilbride/Lochrane SGA Ticket
UCF SGA — By Ashley Tinstman on February 10, 2010 at 12:39 amCLICK HERE FOR THE SEEFF/WOLKENFIELD ARTICLE AND INTERVIEW
As the tickets have now been announced and elections are quickly approaching, the candidates are beginning to get ready for the stressful weeks that lie ahead. With numerous information sessions to attend and debates to prepare for, the two tickets are facing the tough challenge of gaining recognition across campus and, ultimately, getting the most votes.
KnightNews.com had the opportunity to meet with Mike Kilbride and his running mate, Taylor Lochrane, who will be opposing the Seeff ticket. Kilbride, who is a senior and a finance major, is currently the Chief of Operations for SGA, and Lochrane, a graduate student working towards a PhD in civil engineering, is also involved in student government as a Graduate Affairs Specialist.
Enthusiastically, the pair explained that they decided to run because of their leadership abilities, experience together, and diversified backgrounds. “We feel that we do have the experience to continue the positive strides student government has made this year,” Kilbride said. “We know there’s so much more to be accomplished.”
Additionally, Kilbride and Lochrane explained the basic premises of their platform, which is led by the motto, “The difference is you.” Broken down into four areas, which are campus life, scholarship, you, and you name it, the platform encompasses a wide range of issues, all geared towards getting input from students.
Immediately, though, both mentioned a number of ways to improve the university, such as selling carpool decals to alleviate the parking situation and having family-friendly housing, particularly for graduate students. Kilbride also detailed how the campus needed more study space, aside from the busy library. With so many unused areas, he suggested that students could check out a classroom at night to work on presentations or take advantage of designated study lounges located all over campus.
Amongst these specific ideas, though, Kilbride stressed that “the best platform point is your best idea”. He further explained that the students are the ones who have opinions about what needs to be done on campus, and he wants student government to be a place where those opinions can be heard. “We want to collect data from students and talk to them,” Kilbride stated. “Student government really, truly is listening.”
When asked about the best part of elections, Lochrane emphatically said he enjoyed the challenge of getting the student body motivated. “I like elections, and I’m really looking forward to the next few weeks,” Lochrane said.
Also, on a lighter note, KnightNews.com asked about their favorite traditions on campus. Kilbride excitedly mentioned Spirit Splash, particularly when he became involved as a student leader. As he described watching the excitement on the students’ faces, he said, “You get chills. You really do.”
On the other hand, however, Lochrane described a much different tradition, which no longer exists. As a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he reminisced about launching pumpkins into a pond by the fraternity house every week on football game days. “That, by far, was the coolest tradition that we started, and we’re trying to bring it back,” Lochrane joked.
Finally, they both explained why their ticket was the best choice. “We have the experience and the leadership,” Lochrane stated. Kilbride also added that both are good at building relationships, which will help to achieve the things that students want to see change on campus.
“We’ll be able to enter office and start runnin’,” Kilbride said. “We’ve proven that we can deliver.”
Tweet This
Digg This
Share on Facebook
Stumble it
31 Comments
I am proud that the IFC Reps/Presidents decided to do the best thing for UCF and the Greek Community as a whole. Yesterdays meeting makes me proud.
The IFC reps/presidents are usually more intuned with the happenings in SGA then the average fraternity member and their recommendations are usually listen to in the chapter room.
The Seef crew was unaware of the large scale issues facing Student Government, such as the conflicting interest lobbyist we have hired to instead be worried about petty issues such as the hour of tailgating.
Another issue was Randy who is pulling the strings behind the Seef campaign has all but taken advantage of the Greek community, awarding a $8000 website contract to his buddy Friedman. He should have been reprimaned for this, considering his other quotes were from his roommates. The IFC members are not idiots.
IFC’s meeting yesterday was well done, although Schu made a debauchery of Robert’s Rules. He has been able to keep the meetings moving forward and the council moving in a positive directon. IFC should just take over SGA as the dominate governing body on campus, they are able to make decisions and execute on them, with no bias towards (the stupidity of its past) history.
Great, so Kilbride got IFC’s endorsement… Did he promise these IFC reps anything to get them to vote for him?
Kinda funny these IFC reps voted to endorse Kilbride, before a lot of their chapters actually made up their minds. They’ll have to answer for this on Sunday!
Your comment is completely ingorant and retarded. IFC endorsed the ticket that is the best scenario for UCF as a whole. The ticket they DIDN’T endorse actually has TWO IFC fraternity members on it. The decision they made was based on the quality of the candidates and you should give them praise for having the balls to endorse a ticket that didn’t include two fraternity men.
Well they greeks support them, which basically means they are the stereotypical, dbag, get nothing done, suck the greeks d!ck ticket. Not voting for them.
Kilbride/Lochrane = Endorsed by Will Lusk = Bribery.
Clearly, Kilbride/Lochrane = ?
Kilbride is such a tool. He needs a big reality check. I feel bad that Taylor is running with him… now he is an actual leader. Mike just wants attention and to be president of the United States one day. He does not care about any of the student body other than his little OSI followers who would rather be on his good side for 5 minutes than have an opinion of their own
I love UCF so I am voting for Seef
I’m going to go ahead and agree with Jimmy, no more anon posts for me. I’m voting for Kilbride and Lochrane because despite what everyone wants to think they know about them, I’ve worked with them both inside and outside of SGA and they are both great people that want to better UCF. They professional and they will take the job seriously. “Nerds” or not, I stand by my vote. They are the right choice.
Interesting discussion,one that would probably be more valuable if people were willing to identify themselves. Real concerns are important, but really only hold weight if the person sharing them is willing to stand behind their assertions. Praise works the same way. Anonymous praise doesn’t garner much consideration.
I admire both tickets for their authenticity, willingness to serve and commitment to developing as leaders. Should be a great race!
The Taylor kid looks okay and doesnt come off like a huge loser, and Ive met him before and hes been nice, unlike the kid hes running with. Who let the pillsbury doe boy run for President?
not in sga…is your name Andrew Stein?
we have a wide variety of students who attend this university all of different ages, backgrounds, family situations, and economic situations. I don’t believe their seniority at UCF has anything to do with their ability to relate to students. UCF is more than just the undergraduate student body. I have served on various councils for non-traditional students and a large majority of students on campus has something that makes them fall into this category. UCF is not the stereotypical state university although you may choose to live in that bubble. The issues our students deal with vary greatly and I think they understand this. Please keep an open mind and continue to hear how they may be able to continue to serve the students as they have made enormous progress in their time here.
I will not be voting for these guys…
DANIEL/KEVIN 2010!! I’m a part of THAT
Kilbride and Lochrane are rarely in their offices, ever. They’re always working with the students. Both are incredibly approachable. I think you’re making the assumption off of the fact they’re treating things professionally which is a huge mistake on your part.
Mike is a great guy, so is Taylor. I’ve worked with both of them, and while Mike can be stern at times, he gets results.
I’m not in SGA and I will definitely not be voting for these guys. As a student I want to feel like I can walk up to my Student Government President President and approach them and talk to them. I do not feel that I could do that with these guys. I see these guys sitting in their offices all day.
I am not supporting this ticket because they are not representative of the student body and they are not who I want representing my voice as a student.
I’m not on SGA and I will definitely vote for these guys! Mike was my RA my freshman year and he was great, definitely the best RA I have had. He made an effort to be nice to me and talk to me, and whenever I had a problem I could go to him and he fixed them as soon as possible.
I don’t know the other ticket that is running and I have only read one article but I feel like they are too casual and too young. I’m sure they will be great in years to come, but one of the guys said he has only been on SGA for a year. Mike has done a lot for UCF, and he is truly passionate about this campus.
If you are looking for a social vote, then vote for the other guys. But if you are looking for someone who is going to make a difference for our school vote Kilbride and Lochrane!
I’ve met Kilbride and he is a pretty big douche so I’m sure he’s qualified. Seriously though being passionate and able to help the students is one thing but you don’t need to be so stiff. He’s trying too hard to look professional and he just ends up looking unappealing.
So you mean the reason he got blackballed is because he wasn’t DoUchy enough? Looks like you idiots got rid of a great leader because he probably didn’t want to party all the time
MIKE KILLBRIDE GOT BLACKEDBALLED FROM DU! HES A DOUCHE
It seems like the only one’s who want Kilbride are already members of SGA. What about the voice of the rest of the students?
Nerds.
Nuff said.
First and foremost, there are 30+ members on the SGA Executive Cabinet, “SGAer” please speak for yourself, and not the entire cabinet. (And I sure hope you’re doing something more productive than looking at knightnews during your office hours)
I have the pleasure of working with Michael Kilbride as Chief of Operations, and I have nothing but positive things to say about Kilbride(and Lochrane too!). He is an extremely open-minded, insightful, compassionate, assertive and knowledgeable person. And if you don’t believe me ask The Office of First Year Experience/Orientation Teams, Knight-thon, OSI, Greek Council, Dr.Ehaz and the Student Body Advisory Council, President’s Leadership Council, Multicultural Student Center, SGA Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches… and the list goes on. These are all just a few things he has been involved with or improved upon in his 4 years as a student leader here at UCF.
I think he is a phenomenal leader and will make a phenomenal Student Body President at UCF.
By the way, Taylor Lochrane has completed his undergrad and masters degrees, and will be completing his Ph.D in Civil Engineering all at the University of Central Florida and all by the age of 23. Not only is that a fantastic achievement for someone of such a young age, but it clearly shows he is extremely intelligent and undoubtedly bleeds black and gold.
I want leaders who are closer to my age and can relate to what I’m going through. Kilbride and Lochrane are too old to relate to me.
I agree that at their age it’s been a long time since freshman. How are they gonna relate to students going though entirely different things in life than them? Am I the only one that see’s the two tickets running in the Nixon/Kennedy fashion? We have Kilbride in a suit, older, talking about his many accomplishments like a resume while Seeff addressed his stance on some issues, is charismatic and joked around some and basically comes across as an average student which I think is a good thing because I want a change.
First off i liked to address some of the things that have been said in support of this ticket
1. Killbride has not been in SGA for years, This year was his first year. he even said so himself in the video.
Having said that:
Killbride has worked very hard and done a great job with Knighthon.m but you ask ask around campus and people will either tell you they like killbride or they hate him. I personally have a problem with his leadership style, he is a control freak! No to mention he is very aarogant. ask people in his own cabinet
MY other problem is that they are so old. Your gonna have a 5th year senior and a graduate student. how can they reach out to the undergraduate students being so old and out of touch. the majority of students are in the lower classes since every year the freshman class has increased.
I find it funny that his campaign slogan is the difference is you and that he will take student input when he himself has the hardest time accepting suggestions or new ideas. just ask people he’s worked with
If anyone has half a brain, they can tell JUST BY THESE INTERVIEWS that KILBRIDE/LOCHRANE are fully equipped with all the qualities necessary to build a more functional SGA.
Kilbride and Lochrane have also already served within SGA for a couple years now and this year they have helped improve the quality of SGA services tremendously. If a student actually sat down and took a look at what SGA has accomplished this year compared to previous years they would really get a better understanding of what to expect next year with Kilbride and Lochrane as their elected officials.
I am in no way bashing the other candidates because I know them and they are great guys. But great guys can’t lead an entire student body with little to no experience. I am sure one day in their future here at UCF they will make great student leaders but right now they do not have all the qualities to pull this off.
EXPERIENCE AND HONESTY is vital… Kilbride and Lochrane have that.
This ticket is horrible. They are not who I want representing Student Government.
I have known Mike Kilbride since I was a freshman and he is one of the most amazing and dedicated people I have come across in my college career. As the Director of Knight-Thon, he has done WONDERS for the philanthropy and has truly taken it to a completely new level. I have had the honor of working with Mike in SGA this past year and he has been such a positive asset to the Peterson/Andrick administration. SGA is LUCKY to have people like him around and I am so excited to see the big things that he will do for UCF in the year to come.
I have also had the honor of working with Taylor Lochrane and seriously can not think of a more well rounded person. You may remember him as the very respected SGA Senator, the handsome ATO on Homecoming Court or the genius PhD engineering student, but however you know him, you remember his warm and sincere personality. Taylor is the definition of a UCF Knight and I could not think of a better person for the job.
So why Kilbride & Lochrane?! The DIFFERENCE IS… LEADERSHIP. INTEGRITY. EXPERIENCE. They are THE ULTIMATE PACKAGE!! I fully endorse KILBRIDE & LOCHRANE!!
They kinda seem like they are stereotypical SGA candidates. I’m not into the who frat scene but the other candidates seem like they are easier to relate too. I will have to wait till I hear more to make up my mind though
This ticket is the true choice for the students at UCF. I’m proud to be supporting their efforts, and I know they will do great things!