Q: Alright, Mr. President - who are you, and how do you see your role as President of the YDS student government?
A: My name is Nicholas Alton Lewis, and I am the adopted only child of two loving parents, W. Alton Lewis and Vannetta Veronica Alford. I also consider myself a musician, a teacher, and a creative social activist. And it is this moniker--creative social activist--that is most integral to how I see myself in the role of President of the the Yale Divinity School student body. As President of the student body, I serve as the official representative of the Student Council to the faculty, staff, and student body. It is also my responsibility to an advocate for students and their concerns within the life of YDS, Yale University, and within the broader New Haven community (see the Student Handbook for more details!!). In this capacity, communication across and among constituencies is key! The more understanding we have of each others' lives and life circumstances, the easier it will be to broker and implement solutions that benefit all the members of our community. I believe quite strongly that creativity--music, in particular--plays a vital role in empowering people to build a greater sense of community that will, in turn, work towards the broader goal of affirmatively transforming lives--yours, mine, staff, faculty, and New Haven residents.
Q: What does the student government at YDS do?
A: The student government is to provide a forum for student representatives to meet and discuss issues of import and concern to students at Yale Divinity School. The Student Council also serves as the primary liaison between the student body and the faculty and administration of YDS.** Ultimately, we (the Student Council) are here for you: to address your concerns, and to act on your behalf.
**This was lifted almost verbatim from "Article II. Purpose" in the Student Council Constitution found in the student handbook. Please check this out online, as it explicitly states the purpose of the Council, as well as the parameters in which it may operate.
Q: What is the best way for incoming students to get involved in the areas and aspects of life that most interest them on campus?
A: There are many ways to get involved in the life of YDS. If you ware interested in student council, there will be some open seats on the council specifically designated for first-year students. I hope you will consider serving in this capacity. As always, I would encourage you to get to know the people around you. The folk at YDS--students, staff, and faculty--really are truly amazing people with greatly varied gifts and interests. Get to know the people in your neighborhood! Just say hello to people and stare until they start talking about themselves. It works!
Q: If you could see one specific change in how the YDS community and student government operates next year compared to past years, what would it be? How can the incoming class work be a part of that change?
A: One thing I would like to see improved upon at YDS and in the student council are the ways in which we consider the term, "community." Whenever we use the word "community" to define a particular group of people (i.e. "YDS community" or "Yale community"), there are implications for those who exist outside of our limited definitions and constructions of community. It is my hope that we will strive to forge ever-expanding ideas and notions of communal identity.
Q: When you're not being Presidential, what sorts of shennanigans do you get up to?
A: When not being "presidential," you will probably find me at one of New Haven's wonderful coffee shops or tea houses attempting to expand my sense of community as a New Haven resident. Some of my favorites are:
Q: But wait! You're also the social coordinator for BTFO - what does that mean?
A: Social coordinator means that it is my responsibility to show each and every one of you to all things social during BTFO. I take this responsibility seriously, and will be working all summer to craft a week of social activities that serve to engage you in and with the social life of YDS, Yale, and New Haven, and incline you forge and foster friendly relations with each other and with the constituents of your ever-expanding sense of community at Yale Divinity School.
Q: If you had to choose, what is the one thing that you would like to see happen socially for the incoming class at YDS?
A: For this incoming class, I would love to see you all become indelible, integral, and vital to each other's lives, and to the lives of our ever-expanding understanding of community--across lines of difference or disposition. This, I promise, is the key to healing the world.
Q: We hear New Haven is the place for pizza. Which is your favorite pizza place in New Haven and what do you order?
A: One thing I would like to see improved upon at YDS and in the student council are the ways in which we consider the term, "community." Whenever we use the word "community" to define a particular group of people (i.e. "YDS community" or "Yale community"), there are implications for those who exist outside of our limited definitions and constructions of community. It is my hope that we will strive to forge ever-expanding ideas and notions of communal identity.
Q: When you're not being Presidential, what sorts of shennanigans do you get up to?
A: When not being "presidential," you will probably find me at one of New Haven's wonderful coffee shops or tea houses attempting to expand my sense of community as a New Haven resident. Some of my favorites are:
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| Did Nicholas forget to mention he's a concert clarinetist?! |
A: Social coordinator means that it is my responsibility to show each and every one of you to all things social during BTFO. I take this responsibility seriously, and will be working all summer to craft a week of social activities that serve to engage you in and with the social life of YDS, Yale, and New Haven, and incline you forge and foster friendly relations with each other and with the constituents of your ever-expanding sense of community at Yale Divinity School.
Q: If you had to choose, what is the one thing that you would like to see happen socially for the incoming class at YDS?
A: For this incoming class, I would love to see you all become indelible, integral, and vital to each other's lives, and to the lives of our ever-expanding understanding of community--across lines of difference or disposition. This, I promise, is the key to healing the world.
Q: We hear New Haven is the place for pizza. Which is your favorite pizza place in New Haven and what do you order?
A: As a caveat, it must be stated that I try to avoid the gluten. That being said, I have sampled all of the institutions of pizza in New Haven, and am forwarding this list without regard for the damage gluten flour does to my personal well-being:
Q: And most importantly of all - what is your favorite thing about Patrick and Esther?
A: My favorite thing about Patrick and Esther is that they are truly generous and understanding people, especially when you turn in answers to Presidential questionnaires a week late!
- Pepe's - the pizza is simply delicious, grease and all. Order anything and you will be happy.
- Modern Apizza - consider this the cleaned up version of Pepe's.
- Cafe Romeo - I know this may come as a surprise to many, but their pizza is truly extraordinary. If you would like a carnivore's treat, try their mashed potato-bacon-prosciutto pizza with a touch of pesto--insane! For the vegetarian inclined folk, they have some of the freshest and most flavorful vegetable toppings around! They also have a gluten-free pizza option and give you a free personal sized cheese pizza for checking in on Foursquare.
- Sally's - there is no better clam pizza in New Haven.
- Abate's - I just visited this place last night and they have gluten-free pizza! Also, the regular pizzas that I saw on other tables looked delicious!
Q: And most importantly of all - what is your favorite thing about Patrick and Esther?
A: My favorite thing about Patrick and Esther is that they are truly generous and understanding people, especially when you turn in answers to Presidential questionnaires a week late!
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