Women's Tennis Contributes in the Community
Nov 20 | Women's Tennis
The Rutgers women’s tennis team has always looked to make an impact in the community and this year has been no different. For this year’s Presidential election, the entire team gathered to vote as a group. Additionally Caitlin Baker has recently been appointed by the mayor of the City of New Brunswick to the Rent Control Board. Both are great examples of how getting involved in the community can be very rewarding.
“The team really felt great after voting and I know Caitlin is very excited to be a voting member of the Rent Control Board,” said head coach Ben Bucca. “I know I am very proud of the team for putting their political consciousness into action.”
A Team That Plays Together Votes Together
Numerous members of the Rutgers women’s tennis team had never voted before and each of them wanted to make their voices heard in this year’s critical presidential election. So, collectively, not only did each of them register (some for the first time), but the team gathered on Nov. 4 and went out to vote at a nearby high school.
Junior Christine Tran (Centreville, Va.) decided to organize the team’s initiative on Election Day. The entire squad agreed that this election was one of the most crucial elections in the history of the United States.
“We all felt like we should be part of something as big as an election,” said Tran. “By making the effort to go as a team, we all were able to encourage each other. It really showed just how important voting is.”
If it was not for the efforts of Tran, many of her teammates may have not had their voices heard on Election Day.
“If we had to do it by ourselves many of us may have found excuses not to vote,” said sophomore Amy Zhang (Plano, Texas). “It was a bonding experience for the team and encouraged the players that were not going to vote to let their opinions count.”
Baker Named to Rent Control Board of New Brunswick
Caitlin Baker is not only a member of the Rutgers University tennis team, but is also a rising leader in the New Brunswick community. Baker was recently chosen to be the sole student representative on the rent control board of New Brunswick. According to the mayor’s spokesperson Bill Brey, her name was recommended to the city as someone who would be a good fit for the role being that she was a student living off campus with interest in contributing to her community.
“(Caitlin Baker) is someone who is civically minded and wants to serve in a volunteer capacity in her community,” said Brey. “Ms. Baker exemplifies a model individual who would make a perfect fit as a member of the rent control board.”
While being a member of the board, Baker will help make important decisions. The rent control board sets the allowable rent increases in New Brunswick annually, so that rents do not increase and impose an unduly burden on residents. In order to make sure that rents are not increased to an outrageous amount, every year the rent control board sets a percentage, which is the maximum amount rents can be increased for individuals who are renewing their lease. The board also listens to grievances that are filed over violations of a rent control ordinance. The board has the power to order landlords to give rebates to tenants if they have either illegally charged or increased rents.
Baker will be able to make a difference as a student representative by having voting power. The makeup of the board was designed so that all the major components of the rental community would be represented which includes, residents, landlords and tenant representatives, so their views and concerns would be heard in that form.
Baker is very enthusiastic about her new duties because she believes that students, who are also affected by rent, need a way of having their voices heard.
“I am really excited about this opportunity because I know some of the college kids in New Brunswick have been unhappy with some of their landlords and now I can do something about that,” said Baker. “Hopefully I can help keep the rents down and make sure the landlords take care of their responsibilities.”
Being a voting member of the board, representing students, Caitlin will bring a different viewpoint to the decisions the members make.
The experience of being on the board and producing decisions that make a difference in the New Brunswick community will be very beneficial to Baker according to Brey.
“It is an opportunity for her to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty in terms of local policy making and the execution of local policy,” said Brey. “She will be benefiting not only the community, but also herself as a member of the rent control board.”
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