Kenzo Esquivel on Hyde Park Business Discount Program Expansion

At the current time, the Student Government restaurant program is working on expanding its options in cooperation with the Office of Civic Engagement's new UChicago Local Campaign. Together, we are hoping to create additional incentives to get students to take part in the local economy as well as to venture a little further off campus. We are hoping to expand the program to restaurants outside of Hyde Park borders to get students to not only visit those spaces, but also to begin looking to catering options that are again, not located in Hyde Park. I see it as a first stepping stone to getting students to think about visiting locally owned businesses and to learn about the communities they are in. I think that food is an easy way to get people to start venturing to new places and because the dining halls are closed on saturday, it would be great to start getting some student traffic to less well-known restaurants in the hyde park and neighboring communities. Additionally, it is in hopes of alleviating the cost for those who may struggle to have to find their own food on those Saturday nights that the dining halls close.

For more information about our current discount program, visit our business discount page!

A Letter from Director of Communications, Alita Carbone

My name is Alita Carbone and I am a second year in the college at the University of Chicago studying political science and human rights. Last year, under SG President Michael McCown, I was unofficially appointed as Director of Communications of Student Government. My position became official under President Tyler Kissinger this year. My interest in Student Government arose when I learned about all the different funding sources SG offered at the time I founded Axis UChicago (a community service RSO dedicated to raising awareness about dis/ability and changing the way people perceive dis/ability). My interest in communications arose during my time on the Institute of Politics’ Tech Team. As a student with a part time job/internship, on a club sports team, and involved with several RSOs, I was aware that Student Government played a role funding my activities, but my knowledge did not extend much beyond that. 

As Director of Communications, my goal is to create a stronger relationship between the UChicago student body and Student Government itself and to make sure students know that Student Government exists to serve and represent the interests of the entire student body. From my perspective, SG has a lot of great programs and opportunities, and the student body has a lot of great ideas, but those two sides don't always connect. There's historically been a disconnect in both information about SG programs and transparency in SG operations. My job is to make sure that SG's operations and programs are as clear and accessible as possible, so that SG can serve the student body to the best of its ability.

Aside from the usual marketing work and some administrative tasks, I'm currently working on a "Get To Know" Student Government campaign, a reoccurring newsletter, new promotional materials for SG, and creating a special advertising space where RSO's that receive support from SG can publicize their events and connect with other RSO leaders. I’ve also spent a lot of time designing the SG website and and working on a new sexual assault awareness campaign along with several other SG and non-SG students.

It's my hope that all of this work will create a community in and around the University that is more active, informed and inclusive. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, please feel free to email me at alitacarbone@uchicago.edu. I look forward to working on Student Government this year and can’t wait for you to see everything Student Government has to offer.