Why I'm Running

Good afternoon and thank you for taking the time to read this.

My name is Cole Taylor, and I am running to serve as your Student Bar Association President. When I ran for 2L Senator, I spoke about being “a leader for now and later,” about showing up for students in the present while also preparing for what comes next. That idea still maters, but this campaign is focused on something more direct: building an SBA that is truly accessible, accountable, and effective for every student.

Accessible

SBA should be something that every student can engage with, without limit of time, structure, or familiarity. While meetings are open to all students, not everyone has the ability to participate or feels that those meetings are designed for their participation.

Accessibility means more than simply opening the door; it means making it realistic and inviting for students to walk through it. As President, I will introduce more accessible forums, including at least one townhall each semester during the lunch break so that students have a true opportunity during the school day to ask questions, raise concerns, and engage directly with SBA leadership.

Ultimately, accessibility is about inclusion. Every student, regardless of schedule, involvement level, or familiarity with SBA, should feel that they have a place in the conversation and a meaningful way to be heard.

Accountable

Representation only works if it is transparent, responsive, and consistent. Students should not have to wonder whether their concerns are heard or what happened after they are raised. Too often, the gap between feedback and action is unclear, and closing that gap is essential to building trust.

As President, I will prioritize structured and anonymous feedback channels so students can share concerns openly and honestly. Just as importantly, I will ensure that SBA regularly communicates back to students, providing clear updates on what was raised, what actions were taken, and what progress is being made. Accountability is not just about listening, it is about demonstrating follow-through.

This is especially important as our school continues to evolve following its transition to non-profit status. Institutional change affects students in real and immediate ways, and SBA should play an active role in ensuring that student perspectives are part of those conversations. That means not only communicating student concerns to the administration, but also advocating for transparency and helping translate institutional changes into clear, student-facing information.

Accountability means that students are not left guessing. It means they are informed, represented, and respected throughout the process.

Effective

Effectiveness is what ultimately defines whether SBA delivers value. The organization has the structure and potential to make a real impact, but that potential is only realized when ideas are turned into action and initiatives lead to measurable outcomes.

A central part of that is ensuring SBA committees are not just present, but productive. As President, I will focus on building working committees with clearly defined goals. These committees should serve as the engine of SBA’s work, where student concerns are developed in actionable initiatives and real solutions.

I will also create more opportunities for broader student involvement within these committees, so that students who are not in elected positions still have a direct role in shaping outcomes. With clear expectations for progress and regular reporting, committees can move beyond discussion and become a driving force for improvement.

SBA should not be measured by how often it meets, but by what it accomplishes, and effectiveness means delivering results that students can see and feel in their day-to-day experience.

Together, these priorities–accessibility, accountability, and effectiveness–are about creating an SBA that is more connected to students and more capable of delivering results. Law school is demanding, and your time is limited. You deserve an organization that respects that by being responsive, transparent, and genuinely useful.

I am running for SBA President because I believe we can build that kind of SBA; one that listens better, communicates clearly, and follows through. An SBA that works for you.

I would be honored to have your support, and I am always happy to talk, because the best ideas don’t come from one person, but from all of us.