Tenzin Jorden, DTC Ward 22 co-Chair, Silliman '26

As a DTC Co-Chair for Ward 22, I know that my concerns and values are more aligned with the residents of New Haven than with those of Yale as a corporation. Although I have worked hard to be a political agent in this diverse city, my financial situation as a FGLI student at Yale has often limited both my access to 'the ideal Yale experience' and my organizing with residents of New Haven. I’ve had to choose between my well-being, my education, and my commitment to the city.

At my lowest point at Yale, I was juggling two jobs, a full course load. Many weeks during that semester, I had to roll over my hours since I wasn't allowed to log more than 19 hours a week but was definitely working more. I felt myself not only missing out on core experiences of my senior year but also compromising my social and emotional well being to work my two student jobs. In talking to my peers and organizing for better financial aid and student wages, I know that this is a common experience for many low income Yale students.

When institutions and stigma try to divide the concerns and well-being of student workers from working families in our city, I know we must organize and stand with residents to demand that Yale do better and to contribute more to their workers, students, and the city they call home! Yale divides students from residents—but our struggles as workers are connected, and so is our call for the University to do better. Vote for Norah because she has navigated this struggle and helped many other students do so already. Vote for student engagement and power!