2010-11 Student Association Candidates
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: News
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Photos by Ben Jay
President
Raymond Lord III
Class of 2011
Major: Business Administration and Spanish
Hometown: Binghamton, N.Y.
Current Positions: Middle States Commission
Why are you running for president? It started with the election debacle of last year when I was the chair of the Undergraduate Student Association Elections Committee. I became very close with the board at the time, and especially with [2008-2009 SA President] Danielle Forrest who recommended the position to me. Though I spent last semester studying abroad in Costa Rica, I have been very involved with SA recently and I have realized that this is something that I would really like to do.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? Definitely responsibility and organization. It's also important that the SA executive board be neutral and respectful in what they are listening to and deciding upon. Individually, you have to be open - right now, many students are hesitant to voice their opinion to the SA executive board because the board can come off as rather closed; it's important for SA exec to be charismatic.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support of disagree with? As far as the spring concert goes, I totally agree with the decision; you have to be financially responsible. I also definitely agree with the recent decision of the board to support the Empowerment Act.
What do you think the role of the SA constitution should be? The constitution was last updated in 2006, and SA financial policy in 2008. I would like an independent review committee to review both the constitution and financial policy. It should be easier for a group of students to organize themselves into a club, and there is duplication in the current purchase order process. Since the constitution will most likely be updated in a referendum year, next spring would be a good opportunity to make changes after the independent board has had a year to discuss it.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? No. There's a bad perception of SA right now, largely because there's not enough information given out. I have recently been talking to Elsje Vanmunster, associate dean of students for orientation and first-year programs, about getting more information out to students when they come to Geneseo. It's important because everyone pays this fee. I would like more information given out during orientation that is correct - I want to get away from the idea that SA is some sort of terrorist organization. SA needs to be more visible - they're trying, but they need to work harder at it. I'd like to create a Web site that is a centralized source information as an alternative to scattered "What's Up" e-mails. Another idea would be to have a public relations committee with one representative from each residence hall - it's hard to be a one-person public relations entity.
How have your experiences prepared you for a position in SA? As a former orientation adviser, I was a representative of the school - I met with vice presidents and learned a lot about the college and its framework. I've also been an RA, where you're really advocating for the students and serving their interests. I was a team adviser for the National Student Leadership Conference. Through all of these experiences, I feel prepared to be president because I've been in different roles and can now bring them all together. Studying abroad in Costa Rica was a life-changing experience that really taught me about how other people can view and interpret things; I learned to really think about what I say and how it might be perceived.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? I definitely want the position to be more visible. If elected, I will require a lot of the executive board, especially the director roles - public relations, Academic Affairs Committee chair, etc. I think there needs to be a slight review of the Activities Commission - there has to be a definite decision on the concert going forward. Personally, I'd like to see one big concert in the spring, and smaller events throughout the year. I'd also like to speed up meetings by possibly creating a review committee that could review readings prior to the business meetings to identify any potential conflicts with the constitution and/or financial policy, this way those parts of the policies could be discussed and interpreted before the reading is brought before the entire student body, rather than during extended open discussions.
Why are you the best candidate for president? I feel like I'm already very involved with the faculty and administration. I've already worked within SA as chair of USAEC, a subcommittee of SA. Through Orientation and Residence Life, I've worked with students extensively and have really come to see things from different perspectives. Last semester, studying abroad was beneficial in that I think being too wrapped up in SA can actually be a bad thing - I now have a fresh view of where SA stands and what can be improved upon. I love working with students and representing this school.
Doug Sinski
Class of 2011
Major: Accounting, Philosophy
Hometown: Huntington, N.Y.
Current Positions: Treasurer of Activities Commission, business manager of The Lamron, treasurer of Alpha Chi Rho (Crows), member of SA budget review committee
Why are you running for president? I'm looking to take the experience I've gained in various positions and apply them in a scale that would benefit the greater campus community at large.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? The SA executive board needs to not only listen to students, but actually needs to know what's going on around campus. Executive board members need to attend many more events instead of making judgment calls just based on what is discussed at business meetings; they need to really understand what each club embodies. Members of SA Exec are students as well, they shouldn't be above the organizations - they need to be in the trenches.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? The current SA executive board has done a fantastic job with a lot of things, especially promoting budget advocacy. However, I'd like to see improved cohesion among the group, it seems like there was some conflict that was at the cost of students this year. A more cohesive board would be great. In order to achieve that, you have to start from the ground up by electing the right people.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? I think the constitution is very lenient in its guidelines, so it does allow for a lot of leeway. There are things that are black and white, but for good reason. I think the constitution provides adequate guidelines to the board, considering members are only elected to their positions for one year at a time.
Do you think that students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? Obviously awareness of SA is not where we'd like it to be. A lot of that can be rectified by improving the brand of the SA - instead of being an umbrella organization that gives out money, it needs to be a lot more accessible to every student. The more people you have involved, the more ideas you'll have and the better an organization it will be. SA should engage every student who wants to be engaged.
How have your experiences prepared you to be president of SA? My involvement on this campus has very effectively positioned me to be the president of SA because it has exposed me to every single aspect of SA, whether it be helping at the concerts to modeling at BSU's fashion show to going to the Sangamam dinner. I've seen it all, which gives me a great perspective and allows me to see opportunities for collaboration within groups, which will result in better events that are well-attended.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? I want to be the premier liaison between students, the administration, the Geneseo Foundation and other elder factions of the college. The SA president needs to be both responsive to students and respective to elders so he or she can adequately convey the message of students and make the university all that the students want it to be. [Sitting SA President] Haleema Murtaza has done a great job and I'd love to succeed her.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I think that I'm the best candidate because I have the experience of being in the trenches of SA. I've attended a ton of events, I'm working on drafting the SA budget - this knowledge is integral to the role of president. My unique and intensive experience makes me the best possible candidate.
Vice President
Tyler Ocon
Class of 2012
Major: International Relations
Hometown: Wading River, N.Y.
Current Positions: Student Senator
Why are you running for vice president? Being a student senator, I feel like there will be a lot of unfinished business at the end of the year that I would be able to carry through to next year since the vice president is in charge of the student senate. I know the other student senators and I will be able to help push through our initiatives. I also strongly feel that budget advocacy is an important role for the vice president, and I am a big supporter of it. I do have some concerns about the Empowerment Act; I don't like discretionary tuition among SUNY campuses. A school like Geneseo will be tempted to raise tuition, possibly to a level much higher than that of other schools, which could dissuade highly intelligent students from coming. We pride ourselves on our intelligent students. I think that SUNY should be structured more like CUNY, where the governor has to go through the state legislature before making cuts. I do like some parts of the act, such as provisions that will help tuition dollars go directly to colleges, but overall I think it needs to be rewritten. In response to concerns that the College Senate may not be as effective as it could be, I feel like at the end of the day the Senate does accomplish a lot, especially in terms of course additions and deletions. It's a great place for people to compromise and make the college better. It could be more organized, however, and sub-committee meetings that are longer than an hour would allow for more meaningful debate. Overall, though, it suits the needs of the college.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of SA to have, personally and professionally? Resilience and creativity. Creativity because you have to be versatile in dealing with different organizations that have specific needs, each one is different. Resilience is important because the executive board needs to follow through on its ideas and initiatives.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? On the positive side, I really support the work that this year's committee has put into budget advocacy as well as their efforts to increase SA's visibility to students. However, I disagreed with the decision to drop the spring concert. Many people associate SA with the concerts. I did not like the way the concerts were handled this year, and it is something that we will definitely be fixing next year.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? Politically I'm a liberal, and I believe that the SA Constitution is more about guidelines than rules. Changes need to be made to reflect alterations in the jurisdiction, especially the recent decision of the Student Court, which makes its decision binding on the executive board - that needs to be incorporated into the documents. However, there always has to be some adherence to the constitution.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? If you're in a student organization, you know about SA, but many students who aren't in SA-funded organizations don't realize that SA is there for them whenever they need it. This year's executive board did a good job with the "Like a Good Neighbor" advertising campaign, but more students should be able to come to SA without being intimidated by its bureaucratic structure. If I am elected, I will encourage a massive public relations campaign not just in the Union but in residence halls, in dining halls. SA gives back to the students what the students give to SA, and we need to better educate students about the programs and services that SA provides.
How have your experiences prepared you for a position on SA? Besides being a student senator, I am a founding member of Geneseo's newest a capella group, and am involved in Model U.N. I've learned about the power of debate and compromise, and through my involvement in budget advocacy - I was one of those students who froze out on Sturges Quad - I've learned about the power of the students. I will bring all of this knowledge and experience together to make SA more accessible, to make it a real conduit that will allow students to get what they need and want from the college through SA.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? The vice president is the president's second-hand man, whatever the president can't do goes to the vice president. I don't want to just fulfill the specific duties of the position, I'd like to offer assistance to other members of the executive board as well as to all students, both those who are involved in SA-funded groups and those who don't know much about SA.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I have more experience working with SA than the other candidates. I also have more of a popular base - it really just comes down to qualifications and what you do with those qualifications to bring services to students. Along those lines, I think I'm the best candidate.
Tom Sochia
Class of 2011
Major: Math
Hometown: Spencerport, N.Y.
Current Positions: President of Pride Alliance
Why are you running for vice president? The position of vice president was the most appealing to me because it is the liaison between the Student Senate and the administration. I'd like to be able to share the voice of the students. I'm also very interested in working with issues related to the SUNY budget.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of SA to have, personally and professionally? The biggest thing for candidates is that they have to realize that they're there for the students, not the position. You can't be doing this for yourself.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? Being on the E-board of an SA-funded organization, I've worked with SA and I understand that it has as many rules as it does because it does have such a large budget. However, because the process is overly complicated, there are parts of the budget that aren't used the way that students want. I will try to increase accessibility to the budget so it's not so complicated to get things done.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? If the constitution wasn't there, the SA Board would have more leeway, but that could result in misuse of funds. There are a lot of things that could be changed to make the budget more accessible, but the constitution also puts limits on SA's power, which is good.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? For maybe 5 to10 percent of the student body, SA can be a thorn in their side, but it's also a great resource for a lot of students. By choosing representatives that really encompass the student body, students will be able to use the budget that is there for them. I'd also like to encourage more people who are not directly involved with SA-funded organizations to attend the business meetings.
How have your positions to date prepared you for a position on the executive board? Through Pride Alliance, I have lobbied in Albany for three different acts. I know how to lobby, how to deal with state senators and what it means to be a constituent. In Pride, we have our own advocacy group, so I know how to generate responses from students which is important for the SA vice president position. When I was a freshman, only seven members came to the first meeting, I'm now president and we had 70 members at the first meeting. I've talked to [sitting SA Vice President] Nick Kaasik and I know the responsibilities of the position and what I'm getting into.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? My main concern as vice president will be to campaign for the Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act; I will focus on that first and foremost. A lot of students don't understand the ramifications of the state budget cuts. The Act isn't perfect, but right now it's our best option and the most probable short-term solution. It's this or nothing.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I see a lot of people running for positions to try to get their name on something or to build their resume. One of the reasons I ran for president of Pride Alliance is because I feel like the group is important, and I feel like I can do a lot for the group's cause with the title of president. Similarly, the position of SA vice president will put me in a position to help students.
Alex Conti
Class of 2011
Major: Accounting, Pre-Med
Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
Current Positions: Member of Men of Action & Change, Middle States Commission
Why are you running for vice president? To be honest, I wasn't very involved in SA for my first two years at Geneseo because I wasn't aware of a lot of the services it provides. Finding out what SA does has made me want to get more involved.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? Being able to work with faculty and relay student concerns and opinions to faculty is key. You also have to be open-minded and listen to what the students are saying. I've been attending sessions of the Middle States Commission, which has helped me to be a liaison for student interests.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? The current board has really taken steps to increase budget advocacy with bus trips, campouts, etc. We're facing monster budget cuts right now, so getting our voices heard in Albany is crucial. This board has also done a good job of increasing transparency. One aspect of SA that can be improved is the purchase order system - I'd like to work out some of the kinks and make it easier for organizations to get funding. I will also work hard to make the concerts successful - they are important for our college community.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? I do understand that the constitution does make it difficult to get funding, the policies can be very restrictive. I'd like to work to make that better, but it's a tough issue. I don't think that major changes are in order, but the kinks need to be worked out. People are paying $85 a semester; SA needs to be more transparent so that people know where their money is going.
Do you think that students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? Since becoming interested in SA, I've found out about a lot of services that I never knew existed, such as free legal consultation. Students aren't likely to go out and research the SA Web site on their own, so we need to get this information out there. I'd like to work with the director of Public Relations to help get the referendum passed next year. Also, the What's Up e-mails can be improved - perhaps linking to an actual HTML site would make them easier to navigate.
How have your experiences prepared you to be a member of SA? I was a member of MAC's executive board before studying abroad, and being in an inter-cultural organization like MAC has helped me to understand the workings of diverse organizations. I've worked with faculty and representing students, which has prepared me for and gotten me interested in this type of position.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? I think the vice president is the advocate of the student body to the SA executive board. You preside over the student caucus, which really represents the student body. I also think club sports are an extremely important part of our campus and I look forward to representing them. I want to have an open mind and be able to work freely with all the other executive board members and their respective committees. Since the duties of the vice president are less specific than those of other executive board positions, I would really want to help with all aspects of what SA does and be the voice of students in those areas.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? In some ways, being relatively new to SA is actually an asset in that I'll be able to bring fresh ideas and a new face to SA with the work ethic to back it up. I know people are frustrated with how SA is working and I hope to bring in some fresh ideas.
Director of Business Affairs
Mark Petrie
Class of 2011
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Lockport, N.Y.
Current Positions: SA Director of Business Affairs, Men's Volleyball
Why are you running for director of business affairs? When I first started as DBA last semester, I wasn't sure of what I was getting into; I didn't know the time and effort it would take. I've come to really like the challenges that SA presents, and I'd like to continue the work I've done this year and make SA even better than it already is.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? I think students are trying to find people that know SA's policy in and out. People who are in clubs come to me for answers, they're looking for someone to point them in the right direction. However, they're also looking for someone who knows what they want and knows their organization - someone not too radical, not too conservative, but right in the middle.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? I really like how strongly budget advocacy was supported this year, I think it's good that SA voiced its support of the Empowerment Act - transparency is good, SA taking stands on issues is good. However, I don't think SA is being responsible enough - there's not the respect and professionalism that there should be; hopefully that changes next year.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? I think of the constitution and financial policy as foundations that can be built upon. There are always changes that need to be made - the duties of each position change every few years, for example. I think financial policy could be improved, and I'm working on some changes now. I think that having some flexibility in the written documents gives SA some room for interpretation and some power to exercise that interpretation; a lot of the current candidates running don't know a lot about these documents as much as they advocate for or against them.
Do you think that students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? I didn't know what SA was until mid-sophomore year. I think a broad majority of juniors and seniors don't care as much, so I think the focus needs to be on freshmen and sophomores. There needs to be more of an active presence during freshman orientation. When we did the student expo, it was mostly parents coming around and asking questions; students don't want to get involved with SA directly because it's really just an eight-person board, but people don't realize how many organizations are tied to SA.
How have your experiences prepared you to be a member of SA? I'd like to be more involved in the organizations and reach out to them, not just when I need budgets in. I know all of their financial situations, but haven't attended enough of these events to really know what they're all about.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? Eventually, [SA Director] Kate Rebban would like for me to be able to sign off on purchase orders - it's just awful that people have to get a purchase order for $4, but our financial policy is controlled by Trustee guidelines and it's tough to change. Nevertheless, I'd like to take a look at what we can do next year.
Director of Inter-Residence Affairs
Mary Bock
Class of 2011
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Livonia, N.Y.
Current Positions: Treasurer of Inter-Residence Council, member of National Residence Hall Honorary, member of SA Budget Review Committee
Why are you running for director of Inter-Residence Affairs? IRC has been a main part of my life since stepping onto campus. I have loved every minute of it.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? I think members of SA exec need to be approachable, level-headed and able to see both sides of a situation.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? SA has done a great job, everyone has to do what they feel is best for the organization. However, approachability has to improve, students need to know that SA is about more than just money allocation. As far as IRC goes specifically, [sitting Director of Inter-Residence Affairs] Melissa Kaye has done a great job - we've gotten Geneseo's name out regionally and nationally. We just need to keep making sure that halls are programming and that our campus-wide events are successful.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? I am a stickler for policy, and if a policy exists I think it needs to be followed regardless of my personal stance. However, there are many parts of financial policy and the constitution that are left up to interpretation, and looking at those unclear areas will definitely be a priority of next year's executive board.
Do you think that students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? I definitely think that SA needs to get out there more - we need to attend more programs and learn what organizations really do. This will help break down some of the common misconceptions about SA - that we really are students, we don't just sit in an office and vote yay or nay.
How have your experiences prepared you to be a member of SA? Freshman year I became an IRC representative for my residence hall, I grew to love the organization and couldn't stay away. When the previous treasurer left, I thought it would be a good opportunity to expand my leadership role in IRC, especially given my background in accounting. I have an extensive knowledge of the financial policies of IRC, and working so closely with SA I have attained a very good understanding of its financial policy as well. This knowledge has really prepared me to work for both IRC and SA.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? Melissa has done a really good job. One thing I'd like is for the IRC E-board to get more involved in the programs of residence halls.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I really feel that I'm the best candidate based on my three years of intense involvement with IRC, and I look forward to taking on a greater leadership position.
Director of Student Programming
Nicholas Spengler
Class of 2012
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lancaster, N.Y.
Current Positions: Programming Coordinator, Inter-Residence Council
Why are you running for director of student programming? I am currently the programming coordinator for IRC, and I'd like to take on a position that will allow me to do even more with programming - I love it. I started going to Activities Commission meetings last semester, and I love the way it's set up. I really enjoy hands-on programming and it's what I would most like to do on this campus.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? I think it's important that members of the executive board bring in different opinions and experiences to the board. For example, [presidential candidate] Doug Sinski is in [the fraternity] Crows and is the treasurer of several different organizations - he's very different from me, but it's great to have different types of people on the executive board. I love when the current board talks and sounds out their opinions before the students instead of just passing a reading. I think that sharing your opinion and speaking openly in discussions, really being to the point in decision making is important.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? I love that this year's E-board has been so accessible. I've contacted each of them and they've all responded right away, which is fantastic. They're always in the office and readily reachable by students. Every executive board does things differently, but I've been very happy with how this administration has operated.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? I'm not as big on precedence as I am on following the constitution. I am sure there will be exceptions, but for the most part I intend on doing what the constitution says, word for word. I know some of the other candidates don't interpret it this way, but it will be great to have different views on the board.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? No - I don't think students know at all what SA is. I don't have plans to change this, because the organizations functions well as it is. Yes, I'd love for more people to be active in SA, but I think that it's sort of a futile effort to try to make major changes - even with years of intense outreach, you might get a hundred or so students to be more active in SA, but I don't think you can really expect to change the dynamics of the campus all that much just using public relations.
How have your experiences prepared you for a position in SA? Being on the executive board of IRC, I know how to work with SA, but what I'm really running for is to be the chair of AC, not just another voice in SA. I've worked under a chair in IRC, so I know what I want out of a chair and have a good understanding of what such a position entails. I've worked with [sitting Director of Student Programming] Corey Kotlar, I have experience in a committee board and I have experience with programming.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? The position runs well as it is. Though the specific responsibility of AC Chair is to supervise other students with programming, I also want to bring in my own programming through Late Knight and other groups, independently of the position. A lot of people have asked me about the concerts; I think that this year was a fluke, normally having two big concerts a year works for this school, and I don't want to change that. This year was a fluke and I will make sure it doesn't happen again.
Director of Academic Affairs
Meghan Pipe
Class of 2011
Major: English, Asian Studies minor
Hometown: Miller Place, N.Y.
Current Positions: Communications Director of Academic Affairs Committee, Vice President of English Club
Why are you running for director of academic affairs specifically? I've spent time on both sides of AAC - first as a representative for the English department, and now as a member of the E-board. I understand the needs of club representatives, but as an e-board member I also know how AAC works with the administration. If elected, I hope to improve the communication between the E-board of AAC and the representatives, as well as with the student body at large. I also want to encourage more enthusiasm for what AAC does.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of SA to have, personally and professionally? Enthusiasm is key. It's also important for members of the executive board to keep all students in mind when making decisions. Being impartial is very important, because many people within SA have personal ties to people in SA-funded organizations and standing committees because the sphere of students who are involved with SA and its programs is not that large. Perspective is also important - you want to keep the larger goals of the organization in mind when making decisions.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? This year's executive board had a lot of big ideas - which was great - but I would like to see more of them actually implemented. As far as AAC goes, [sitting Director of Academic Affairs] Brian Hartle appointed Provost Carol Long as AAC's advisor, which I really liked because she comes to most meetings and it's great to have an intimate relationship with such a great resource within the administration. The SA budget needs to be more accessible to students - students need to know where SA stands financially and where their money is being allocated. The concert situation this year showed how important it is for SA to have a good perspective on balancing the financial side of things with what students want and need.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? The constitution needs to be useful to the student body. If it is causing problems, we need to make changes accordingly. It should be a concise and understandable document.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? There is a total lack of communication - a lot of people don't even know what AAC is. I think we need to get around so many acronyms and place more emphasis on what is behind each committee. SA is the lowest common denominator of activities on campus, there are so many different activities and programs that are funded by SA under different umbrellas. Transparency is also very important - a lot of students didn't know why the concert decisions were made; SA is made up of student fees and so they need to know where their money is going. Students also tend to not understand the diversity of what AAC offers - besides money for recreational events, it can bring in speakers and lectures; there are many applications that the money can be used for.
How have your experienced prepared you for a position in SA? Being involved with both sides of AAC is the most important thing - Brian came into the position thinking we could revamp AAC completely, but it's been hard to get the student representatives on board with all of the changes. I can bring my experience as a representative to the leadership aspect of the committee. I was also a tutor for the Writing Learning Center this year, which has given me insight into a lot of frustrations and complaints that students have with academic courses and requirements in general. Getting feedback from students about academics has been really interesting for me and will help me in this position.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? I'd like AAC to be not just a bank for academic organizations but also a vessel for improving general enthusiasm for the entire academic experience at Geneseo. Besides bringing in lectures to improve the overall academic environment, I hope to improve relations with schools in Rochester, Buffalo and throughout upstate New York that bring in excellent academic figures. We could set up carpooling systems and obtain grants through Upstate Escapes so that we can share opportunities with other campuses. I would also like to create a subcommittee focused on getting involved with local school districts. One idea that I'm really excited about is the prospect of setting up college application workshops for high school students so that they can have the same opportunities and resources that many Geneseo students had to be successful during the college application process. The office of financial aid could be involved as well.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I have experience and preparation for this position that is specific to AAC. I know the entire policy of AAC's constitution and bylaws, which makes me the more qualified candidate for this position.
Director of Student Affairs
Will Labate
Class of 2011
Major: International Relations
Hometown: Whitestone, N.Y.
Currently studying abroad in France
Why are you running for director of student affairs? I am very passionate about dealing directly with students and can draw on my experiences working with Accents Council for Enrichment and running the Geneseo Budget Advocacy Campaign. I feel that I can bring change to SA by bringing it closer to the student body and the clubs rather than pushing those factions away.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? Members of SA Exec have to be approachable to the student body. Too often, members of the executive board have been unknown to the students and unresponsive to their needs. I feel that my experiences on campus during the past three years have taught me to be responsive to student needs, which is what I want to bring to the office.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? I think that the current board has done a pretty good job this semester. Most of the issues I have with SA are related to its policies, not its administration. I plan on having a full review of all SA financial policies and the constitution if I am elected. However, I was disappointed with the way the concerts were handled this year. I consider the mismanagement of the situation leading to the cancellation of the spring concert unacceptable; I will fight to ensure this doesn't happen again.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? I think the constitution should be set up in a way that gives the maximum amount of freedom to clubs and students. There are two major changes I plan on fighting for next year: To give more power to the Student Court, which would be able to rule on any decision made by SA - there are currently no checks on SA Exec's power, which is disturbing - and to transform ACE into a standing committee that will have more power over the budgets of ACE groups and a more active role on campus. Any change will happen only after all ACE groups are involved in the decision.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? I think that the visibility of SA executive board members is in drastic need of improvement around campus. Many people don't know what SA does or who its executive members are. I would propose that executive members frequently visit clubs on campus to answer questions and check in on how they are doing. The office hours of SA's executive board should be advertised much more extensively so students know when and where to go to if they have a problem.
How have your experiences prepared you for a position in SA? First of all, I hope that my campaigning from France shows how committed I am to student affairs. I think that my work with ACE and budget advocacy have prepared me for this position. As the SA representative for Pride Alliance, I have attended SA meetings and helped out with ACE events; I've also been to the meetings of every single ACE group and attended many of the events the different organizations have put on to learn about how the different clubs function and how SA and ACE can help them. A big part of the Director of Student Affairs position is budget advocacy; I led a successful letter-writing campaign and phone banking campaign last semester which culminated in a campout, protest and sit-in which caught the attention of legislators and seven news organizations.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which are you are running? I'm very interested in making ACE a standing committee of SA. This would allow for ACE groups to send delegates to only ACE meetings and not SA meetings, and the ACE committee would decide upon budget increases, funding for programs, etc. A lot of changes will have to be made for this to work, and all ACE groups would be involved in figuring out these changes. I would also like to create an off-campus housing directory, which would list rates, locations and contact information of off-campus residences in order to assist students who wish to live off campus.
Justin Shapiro
Class of 2013
Major: History, Biology minor
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Current Positions: Treasurer and SA Representative for Model United Nations
Why are you running for the position of director of student affairs? I consider the five major goals of the position to be: Coordinating budget advocacy, being a liaison for intercultural groups and the executive committee, serving the needs of off-campus students, organizing the Intercultural Dinner and arranging voter registration efforts. Geneseo has a potential to express diversity that is not readily apparent; there needs to be trust between SA and intercultural groups to facilitate this expression. One of my primary goals will be to increase visibility; I applaud the efforts of current and past executive boards, but I think SA should take a more active role in campus life. It's important for students to know and understand ways in which they can advocate for the college's budget, and students need to be informed about the current state of affairs. The gubernatorial election of 2010 is important, and students should take an active role in voting, especially considering the dysfunctional legislature that we have recently been witnessing. Other goals of mine include integrating off-campus students into the campus lifestyle, promoting diversity and organizing the Intercultural Dinner and the Winter Ball with the Accents Council for Enrichment.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? Bruce Springsteen once said, "Working all day in my daddy's garage, driving all night chasing some mirage." I think this lyric speaks to the separation of professional and personal characteristics relevant to the position. Executive board members have to possess approachability that allows them to receive input from and talk to students, but they also need to have professionalism that can factor into policy decisions. Members of SA Exec should be dedicated to the causes they support, but also to the students. This is your [the students'] SA; we're meant to answer to you.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? One member of the current executive board brought forth a reading knowing that it was in violation with written SA policy in order to address the overly bureaucratic structure of SA; I agree that it is important for students to feel that there is accessibility within SA. Additionally, I do not feel that the spring concert should have been canceled; the money belongs to the students and it should go back to the students in the form of programming. However, the SA executive board should respect the decisions of the SA president. I think it's important for SA to have procedure, but not so much to the extent that students feel they cannot approach the Board.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? The constitution is a great organizational tool. Like every constitution, its rules should be abided by. If you take away the authority of the Constitution, then it might as well not exist. However, there needs to be fluidity in the document - every year brings a new class and a new set of personnel. At times, SA can be a bizarrely bureaucratic organization.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? You can't make a blanket statement about whether or not students "get" SA - it's different for each student. Many students only go to SA meetings if they are a designated representative for their club. You cannot blame students for not completely understanding what SA is for or what it does - the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of SA Exec. In the past, SA hasn't always made its policies or its decision making process available to students. I hope to build trust between ACE and SA with at least monthly meetings; students need to understand that SA is not here to block progress, we're here because we believe we can best represent them. They need to understand that there is a rationale behind every decision. The campaigning period is a great opportunity to increase visibility, but SA's presence tends to recede in the fall once elections are over. Perhaps the SA executive board could hold a meet-and-greet early in the fall semester. Every standing committee and organization of SA should have a chance to meet with members of the executive board in a less formal setting than the Wednesday night business meetings.
How have your experiences to date prepared you for a position on SA Exec? Being involved in clubs is a great networking opportunity. As the treasurer and SA rep for Model U.N., I know how to type up, present and defend a budget. I am also familiar with SA policy, and my participation in Model U.N. has really enhanced my debate and rhetoric skills. I have also been involved in crew and I have served as a floor representative in hall council. I don't want to come off as a pretentious hipster walking around campus in teal pants with huge headphones; these positions help students understand who I am. I'm not running for a position on SA for my own interest, I'm here for the students, and I hope to use the position of director of student affairs as a way of furthering that understanding. One of the responsibilities of that position specifically is to prepare the ACE budget and I am prepared to do that because of my experiences as treasurer.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? I'd like to especially focus on integrating off-campus students and increasing awareness of cultural events, especially the Intercultural Dinner. Also, I think voting is an important part of democracy; 2010 will be an important election year. I support the Higher Education, Empowerment and Innovation Act, and if I am elected, I will educate students about this act and encourage its support, though students are free to have their own opinions about it. This is the students' money and the students' school and it's important for them to understand these issues and for transparency to exist.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I'm going to make sure that students are more aware of the functions of SA. It's your SA; it's not an oligarchy. SA is not only for the people who sit in the office, and it's not only for the people who come to the meetings. As a freshman candidate, I like to think that I can represent some ideas that speak to the experiences of freshmen at Geneseo specifically, but I will also not alienate any upperclassmen. I have experience relevant to the position for which I am running, and I'm here for the students.
Director of Public Relations
Jake Griffin
Class of 2012
Major: History/Adolescent Education, Pre-Law
Hometown: Jordan, N.Y.
Current Positions: Student Court Justice, Class Officer
Why are you running for director of public relations? This is the position that is right for me; I'm involved with a lot of different organizations. SA needs an image overhaul, and I'm the person to do it. A lot of people that I've talked to are upset that they've been unable to get the money they need for their organizations. Public relations is also a good fit for my personality - I enjoy it.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of the Student Association to have, personally and professionally? I have an open mind about anything that's going to be brought to me. I'm very personable and will deal with issues as soon as they are brought to my attention. As a justice on the Student Court, being unbiased is very important to me - you have to look at both sides of an issue and see how your decisions will affect everyone.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? I completely disagree with the cancellation of the spring concert. I understand the reasons behind the decision that was made, but there's not a lot to look forward to on this campus and I really enjoy going to the concerts. I think a lot of good, fruitful discussion happened this year in SA, which I'm really happy about. I didn't see as much of that last year.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? A few months ago, I would have said that it should be abided by under all circumstances. However, after dealing with the recent case involving the Undergraduate Student Association Elections Committee and looking at the different documents, I really feel now that they should be treated more as guiding principles - if you need a strict interpretation, it's there, but the documents should be relied on for guidance more than anything. Dealing with the issue of the constitution is going to be one of our challenges next year, but my first priority will be to make students like SA.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? I don't think students know what SA does, they just know that they give money to it. I think that you have to give students what they want - funding for programs and events that everyone enjoys. I'd like to increase communication to students about Late Knight programs and other events - hanging up posters isn't enough. I will feed events to Residence Life and RAs to encourage more participation. I realize that people go out on the weekend, I'm not stupid, but some of the events in the Union on weekends are pretty fun.
How have your experiences prepared you for a position on SA Exec? Besides being on the Student Court and a class officer, I am a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, I work 10 hours a week at Letchworth, I'm starting a chapter of Toastmasters and I used to run track - I'm closely involved with a lot of people in club sports. I've learned to be personable and to understand what people want and need. People in SA-funded organizations are having to spend their own money or are having to go without because they can't get proper funding. I want to fight for the little people and the little groups, not just the big clubs.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the scope of the position for which you are running? A few weeks ago, lecturer Hasan Jeffries talked about "freedom politics" - the will of the people - and I'd like to live by that. I want students to know about SA and to know that it's here for them. We've been promoting diversity at this college for years, but diversity isn't just about race, it means having a lot of different clubs, even ones that are small or seem odd to some people. I've watched the Quidditch Club and I think what they do is awesome. You shouldn't be afraid to start a club because of SA policy. I definitely want to improve the communication between SA and funded organizations.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I am the more personable candidate. I am willing to take the time to meet people and get to know their problems, and I promise to help get SA back on track - I'm fed up with the last two years, and I'm ready to fix it.
Jeffrey Nathanson
Class of 2012
Major: Math, Computer Sciences minor
Hometown: Hauppauge, N.Y.
Current Positions: Student Senator, SA Representative for Amnesty International, RA in Suffolk Hall
Why are you running for director of public relations? The position has the unique responsibility of connecting SA with the outside world. It's important because all students pay the mandatory fees. They should know where there money is going to and have a say in those decisions.
What do you think are some important qualities for members of SA to have, personally and professionally? I think the most important thing is responsibility, and I could definitely bring that to the position considering my experience as an RA. Also, I've developed good teamwork skills through my involvement with different clubs. Finally, cooperation is very important - the eight people on the executive board have to work together and for the benefit of students.
Are there any specific actions or decisions of the 2009-2010 SA executive board that you especially support or disagree with? One thing I really like about this board is that they really seem to want to hear from everyone, and value everyone's opinions as important. They listen to and give students a real chance to provide input. I'd like to improve how SA gets its message out to students. As I've been campaigning, I've realized that some students don't even know what SA is, and if they don't know what it is they won't be able to contribute to it. [Sitting Director of Public Relations] Mathé Kamsutchom has done a great job and I'd like to improve on her work. I'd also like to work more toward promoting budget advocacy - we've already felt the effects of it, and it's only getting worse. The SA executive board really needs to step it up and encourage students to advocate for the SUNY system. As a member of the Student Senate advocacy group, I've been helping out with petition signing and joined in the protest and sit-in last semester. After hearing President [Christopher] Dahl speak both at College Senate meetings and at a recent SA open discussion, I support the Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act. I've heard a lot of positive feedback about it and I feel like it's the best solution in the worst of times. Tuition will increase either way, but the Act will at least alleviate the hiring freeze and budget cuts that Geneseo is now facing. Without the act, we may even see faculty layoffs. Though I'd like to hear more input from students, I support the Act as of now.
What do you think the role of the SA Constitution should be? As with any constitution, it is open to interpretation. You can't be too strict with the rules; it always has to be interpreted and considered for revision. Our constitution is a good document, but it certainly needs revising. Overall it's a good tool for the executive committee to have.
Do you think students have an accurate understanding of what SA does? Can you think of any additional ways to increase two-way communication between SA and the student body? To answer the first part: no. I would like to hold a big event that is sponsored exclusively by SA - we got hundreds of people to participate in last spring's Inter-Residence Council event, SA could hold something on that kind of a scale. Also, I'd like to provide more means through which students can have more input - the business meetings are great, but another alternate venue might be beneficial.
How have your experiences prepared you for a position in SA? As an RA, I've worked with a great team of people. I've learned to listen to and respond to residents, and how to work as a team. We also advertise for community builders and activities within the residence hall. When I was an IRC representative, I was head of the advertising committee for Rockin' Recess. I met with [SA Graphics Coordinator] Kristen Fuest and learned the process of how advertising works in SA. In Amnesty International, I helped advertise for many events including Playing for Peace, which was completely sold out and made over $180 in two hours. Another important part of the director of Public Relations position is budget advocacy. I am continuing to promote advocacy efforts and would love to continue that work in this position.
Do you have any plans to alter or expand the position for which you are running? The director of public relations gets the word of SA out while taking in the word of students. I want to follow the example that Mathé has set in this regard.
Why are you the best candidate for this position? I've been involved with SA for three years, and I've always worked very hard for the organizations I've been a part of. My personality and qualifications make me a great candidate to get the voice of SA out and also to hear the concerns of students and bring them back to SA. I will also work with campus media organizations, because I think that they are the best way to reach students. Though WGSU is not SA-funded, I would also like to reach to get SA messages out through the radio station.
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