There is a lot of speculation about how the world would be different if a woman were president of the United States. Despite the fact that many countries, from Ireland to Pakistan, have had women in topmost leadership positions without drastic shifts in policy for the better or worse, people are under the impression that if a lady occupied the Oval Office, there’d be mass chaos or mass reform.

This way of thinking is reflective of a nation which still believes that there is one way to be a woman and one way to be a man, as if the way the country has been run previously is “manly” and the new way, if there were to be a female president, would somehow be “womanly.” Perhaps under a lady leader’s rules all the various ambassadors and diplomats who came to the White House (to be renamed the June Cleaver House or, even more fitting, the Pink House) would have to take off their shoes before entering the door. No one (I mean, no woman) likes dirty carpets.

Just like there has never been a female president of the United States, there has never been a female president of Stanford (which likely explains the construction of such structures as Stern Hall and Meyer Library). But what would happen to Stanford if a lady were to succeed President John Hennessy?

If I were to answer that question conclusively, I’d be perpetuating the stereotype that women are a certain way and men are a certain way, something I don’t necessarily believe. So, instead, I will answer a different question: What would Stanford be like if I, a woman, were president? Many little girls dream of being the first woman president of United States. Well, I dream of being the first woman president of Stanford. Kind of. Not really.

First thing’s first — de-uglification. Yes, there are parts of Stanford that are truly beautiful — but it’s also true that those parts become fewer and fewer the further one strays from the Quad. If I were president, all of the concrete and cement would have to go. White Plaza would become less of a prison yard and more of a park with bike paths. Additionally, any buildings built in the modern architecture period in the name of “progress” — well, they’re coming down in the name of visual appeal.

IHUM? Abolished.

As it stands now, almost every major, including English, I think, requires a student take Math 51 for a letter grade. This obsession with linear algebra must stop. Immediately.

There’s a mindset that pervades the campus that fuzzies are somehow inferior to techies — less intelligent, less hardworking, all-around less legitimate students. Not true. “Operation: Fuzzies are People, Too” is to begin immediately upon my succession.

I consider myself a democratic person. I want to represent the people. I asked Jeannette Westwood, a freshman at Stanford, her opinion on what should change. She named a few things but said, “I’m sure when I’m a senior there will be more things I’m irritated with.” Another suggestion came from Jacob Boehm, a freshman and candidate for a B.A. in Music: “The soft serve machines need to dispense crème brulee flavored gelato.” I can and will make that happen.

The food system in general is in need of great reform. There are very few eatery options on campus. There are some great selections in the way of dining halls, but the hours are very limited. Adding some on-campus restaurants with more extensive hours would help to create a warmer, more community feel.

So, a more beautiful campus, lessening the importance of math, better food and humanities appreciation... Hmm. Try not to think of these as stereotypically (such an ugly word) feminine and, instead, as traditionally feminine. No one could call me a traditional girl, but I guess when it comes to re-making Stanford, my goals are mostly girly. I can’t say that if any other woman were to be president of Stanford these are the changes she’d make, but at least we know what might change under one woman president.