Senator Candidate

Stony Brook University is known for its academic excellence, research opportunities, and most importantly, its hard-working students. Though there is plenty to love about Stony Brook, there is plenty of room for change, especially in regard to the quality of life that our students are used to. Today, I propose a few student-centered improvements, focusing on making our campus experience more affordable, enjoyable, and overall better. In particular, I want to continue making changes to our dining options, fight for more convenient student parking options, and enhance campus-run events and programs in order to encourage a more sociable environment for us to live in. Though performing well in class is the number one priority for students, for a college that has thousands of students living on campus, with thousands more commuting, there needs to be more. My name is Michael Angelone, and I will be running to be a USG Senator where I pledge myself to make our campus more enjoyable, affordable, and desirable for Stony Brook students. Thank you for your support!

Senator Candidate

Here at Stony Brook, we pride ourselves on maintaining an inclusive, stimulating, and Captivating community that invites students to take advantage of the resources, faculty, and opportunities offered. Students form this vital league of success that goes beyond the expectations of a regular academy while pushing themselves to strive for excellence. Stony Brook serves as the backbone to gather the education, experience, and connections needed to truly make an impact on campus and in a larger society.

My name is Meijheen Cesaire, I am currently a Sophomore majoring in Psychology, and I am running for the Senator position. During my time at Stony Brook, I have come to value the experience of working alongside the diverse and insightful staff and students who have shared with me their many passions, goals, and experiences. Being here has provided me with the education and experience needed to truly understand what it means to be a Stony Brook student.

Running for Senator means that I have the opportunity to work with and represent the students on campus who feel underrepresented in their everyday lives. It is important to show students that someone who looks like them has seen and heard their criticisms and is willing to take the initiative to make a change. I personally believe that constructing a sense of diversity and inclusion is much more arduous than it seems. It’s effortless to riddle yourself with the notion that you have contributed to everyone’s sense of home but it takes genuine dedication, enthusiasm, and empathy to truly search for an understanding of what the entire population needs. As I have encountered, functioning in an environment where you feel unseen can lead to a harboring of resentment towards the environment as a whole. I strive to ensure that these students are aware that they are understood and respected. I refuse to allow the minority to feel that their needs and expectations cannot be satisfied because they do not fall within the majority. I rise to the challenge of prioritizing and creating a sense of well-being for every student on campus and securing their sense of belonging.

Initiatives:

1. Reevaluation of the campus living conditions and sustenance of general appliances in the older buildings than have not been majorly renovated within the past 3 years.

Making sure that the issues with rodents, poor heating, sufficient lack of appliances such as washers and dryers, and the lack of working staff are addressed and solved in a reasonable and timely manner.

2. Working with the Faculty Student Association to modify the meal plans of students so they resemble the typical students’ needs on an everyday basis. Addressing the lack of options for students who opt out of the Wolfie Standard, Wolfie Plus, or Wolfie Deluxe meal plans and how to further promote healthy eating habits with these new meal-plan changes.

3. Educating students about the stigmas surrounding mental health and providing them the resources to take the initiative to better their own mental health at their pace. Collaborating with other members of USG, and the professional staff at Stony Brook to further create grants for the expansion of mental health resources that Stony Brook offers.

4. The redirecting of certain tuition fees and creating grants to further unburden students in regards to affording an education. Advocating for the allocation of certain funds like the “College fee” and “Academic Excellence fee” and delegation of some of the “Technology fee”. These fees would go toward providing textbooks and certain academic tools such as PointSolutions and Pearson technologies to students for free.

Senator Candidate

My name is Ray Chen and I am running for At-Large Senator for USG. I am a Biology B.S. Major on the Pre-Med track, with a strong background in working on Executive Boards and in Senate meetings.

My motivation to run for Senator is from the lack of student participation in USG events and the disconnect between USG and students. I seek to increase the communication between the student body and USG through increased accessibility. One initiative I have is through my Senator Office Hours Program where Senators hold office hours where any student can suggest

ideas to USG.

My qualifications to serve as Senator come from my time as President of the Yang Hall Council. I have led Executive Board meetings that organize and plan out events we have with our building. Already, my Hall Council has been recognized by the Residence Hall Association for being the most successful Hall Council.

One major issue that plagues Stony Brook students can be traced back to the dining options on campus. West and East Side Dining have limited options that are repeated, many of which are not vegetarian/vegan friendly. The alternatives at the SAC, Roth, and Jasmine provide fresher better alternatives, but cost students dining dollars. I will take action and find ways to fix this issue.

Mental health affects all students and the resources provided by the University such as CAPS and TimelyCare is good but can be improved upon to better help students in need. USG tabling events can help provide students with the resources they need.

My next initiative is my idea of a USG Senate Newsletter. Every week, a compacted form of the Senate Minutes would be shared with the student body through email so they have the opportunity to read up on USG’s planning.

One small, but impactful initiative I have planned is my idea for a USG E-ZPass Program. I have already had to present a grant presentation to USG and witnessed other presentations and tolls

are frequently not considered for funding. I will have USG help student organizations with long-distance trip funding by having a USG E-ZPass account that helps cut travel costs for students.

Finally, I would like to expand the amounts of grants and funding opportunities for new clubs and clubs without funding. This will allow for organizations that gather lots of student participation to be properly funded and adequately organize events without financial issues.

As Stony Brook University is largely made up of commuter students, I will do my best to make sure that their Student Activity Fees are being put to use in events in which they can actively participate. One way of doing so is by having commuter-appointed seats in the Senate,

giving them more say in USG. This gives them the ability to voice their concerns, especially when it comes to the issue of parking

I am an active member of the Honors College, Yang Hall Council, and Residence Hall Association. My participation in these organizations expands my social connections so I can be the best representative of the students.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope you entrust me with the privilege of being your USG Senator. If you have any questions, comments, or issues, please feel free to let me know at ray.chen.4@stonybrook.edu.

Senator Candidate

Having grown up in Suffolk County, I have witnessed firsthand from Stony Brook students, staff, & alumni the concerns & successes of Stony Brook University in regards to their student body. Stony Brook is a notable university with track record breakthroughs in diversity, research, & athletics, however, the vitality of Stony Brook’s identity would be lost without its students. Stony Brook University has the globe in its fingertips, from international students from all across the world & national students from all across the country, to students right in the heart of Long Island, New York. With the recent stirring of CulinArt, to the ongoing parking model issues & MAPS tiered-pay parking system that is set to launch this Fall 2023, the Stony Brook students feel at a standstill—the trending concern being, “where is my money going?”

I have shadowed several Senate meetings prior to running for Senate, & have been in the arena of social activism & politics since the age of 7. I have confidence that my history of initiatives, along with my proficiency in abstract problem-solving makes me a seasoned candidate for serving as a member of the Senate. I am in the WISE Honors Program, which advocates for women who are underrepresented in the STEM field. My primary goal is fostering diversity, equity & inclusion—both in education & in the community.

In 2019, I co-founded a non-profit community center where people of all ages & religions can come together as one, to create respect & tolerance. Amid racial unrest in 2020, there was lack of racial representation at my high school, as well as long-standing disciplinary mistreatment & bias towards colored students. I had taken the voices of the students who experienced racial bias on school grounds by administration & compiled them towards the school board & facilitated the introduction of a new course designed to highlight raw African American history that is glazed over in US History education. During my senior year, I worked towards providing access to real-life financial literacy education towards students who are just beginning to explore the world of personal finance, resulting in the emphasis of more “real-life” financial education such as credit scores & applying for loans, while still satisfying NYS requirements for an Economics education.

I plan on intertwining my past initiatives to accomplish transparency by making a streamlined format for students to directly voice their concerns outside of town hall meetings, although in-person advocacy is encouraged, having town hall meetings as the only outlet for voicing concerns is impractical as only a small portion of the student body is represented. I developed a strategic plan with short & long term initiatives that would help protect YOUR wallet, through the combination of both education and the influence of prices–such as battling the unfair transportation fee in winter online asynchronous courses. Especially with the rise in tuition that is expected in the next five years with Governor Hochul’s proposal, now, more than ever, it is critical that we establish money-saving opportunities for Stony Brook students.

I pledge to stand for you, and with you, while advocating for the interests of the student body.

Sarah Elbaroudy

Senator Candidate

My name is Jeremy Galindo, and I am a second-year student majoring in Technology Systems Management and am running for the Senator position.

While attending Stony Brook University to pursue a career in STEM, I made it my mission to advocate for social justice and build my leadership skills. As a result, I have created and facilitated programs for underrepresented groups on campus through my involvement with the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and the UNITI Cultural Center (UCC). I am grateful that my student-life involvement at Stony Brook has allowed me to flourish as a leader and facilitate communities on campus.

Through my candidacy as a Senator, I will continue to be a voice for the

underrepresented groups on campus. With my experience as a student leader, I know that I can be a prominent Senator with meaningful initiatives. I am passionate about spreading awareness for social issues, and the Senator position provides me with a perfect opportunity to pursue large-scale initiatives on campus.

Initiatives:

1. Celebration of Cultures: Through my employment at the UNITI Cultural Center, I have worked on several events based on the holidays or awareness months of underrepresented groups on campus. The UNITI Cultural Center always has worthwhile programming and turnout of these events, but I would like to use the Senator position to reach new audiences. All people need to familiarize themselves with different cultures from their own, where they can find newfound understanding and appreciation for it.

2. Mental Health Awareness: Whether they would like to admit it or not, all students have had their bouts with mental health to varying degrees. Students must recognize when they have mental hardships and know where to seek help. Through a series of seminars, tablings, and events, I plan to collaborate with CPO and other groups to reach students on a personal level.

3. Major/Career Path Mentorship: Students, mainly first-years, struggle to decide what career to pursue. Even when they know their intended majors, they can struggle in their coursework and application process. Students should not be at a loss for career guidance, and as a Senator, I will make it one of my missions to create a program where students can have a mentor help them on their journey. These mentors will be upperclassmen and alumni passionate about helping students.

4. Student Voice Meetings: Through the position of Senator, I will create a community space for students to voice their quarrels and critiques of Stony Brook University. Students can discuss various topics such as academics, life on campus, the commuter experience, and other related issues. Students should be able to voice their concerns about their college experience in a space where their input is valued. I will ensure students uphold the community space with the utmost respect and professionalism because it should be noticed by the faculty we want to reach.

Senator Candidate

As a candidate for the USG Senate and representative undergraduates on the east side of campus, I will focus on improving the quality of dining hall food and advocate for lower parking costs. Stony Brook has made unsustainable agreements with the food service provider, CulinArt, affecting student health and happiness. As your representative, I will strongly advocate for finding alternative food sources that do not provide students with inadequate and sub-nutritious meals.

There has also been concern surrounding the campus-wide parking policy, another initiative that harms students and campus-life experience for a minimal budgetary supplement. Stony Brook, as a school with such a large population of commuter students, should not be attacking a primary mode of transportation.

There is a theme at Stony Brook of the administration making decisions that physically and financially harm students. As your representative, I will be a voice against these attacks on your stomachs and wallets. Our school should be a place for learning and growth, not a business that views students as consumers.

Student government can only do so much, but as your representative, I will do all I can to serve you and support student interests. Together, we can work towards improving the campus experience for all.

Senator Candidate

Stony Brook University is an esteemed institution credited with providing an enriched education for students while simultaneously fostering individual growth through clubs and programs which allow students to become better versions of themselves. Unfortunately, the flames of passion and dedication do not reach the hearth of every student, thrusting them further into a pit which they may struggle to get out of. I firmly believe that it should be the goal of not only Stony Brook University, but also the students that comprise it, to motivate and uplift each and every mind to its greatest potential.

My name is Jorvany Jean and I am currently a Junior with a major in Health Science running for the position of Senator. Throughout my time at Stony Brook, I have encountered many kinds of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, paths, and ambitions. One of the philosophies that I abide by is that regardless of the type of individual that one may encounter, that person will always have something to offer whether it be knowledge or a new perspective on life. My reason for running for Senator is to put my philosophy to the test and obtain all the knowledge and insight I possibly can to make our campus a haven for everyone who seeks education and comraderie. I aspire to be an individual who drives communication between students, faculty, and administrators to a point where no one’s opinions or concerns go unanswered.

My Initiatives:

1. Open forums in which students and faculty can meet to discuss issues and concerns on a consistent basis. These forums would be facilitated by moderators who will begin the discussion and help drive the conversation. After the main points are addressed, the floor will open to any student or faculty member who would like to contribute to the discussion by posing questions or voicing concerns. By holding these conferences, individuals would have the opportunity to get their questions answered in real time, offering a sense of comfort and acknowledgement.

2. Fostering greater communication and collaboration between clubs and organizations by hosting an annual Inter-Club Game Tournament in which all clubs can compete/collaborate with one another in a wide variety of activities across campus. These activities can range from a volleyball tournament to card-based games, and these events would take place simultaneously at various locations throughout the campus. This annual event would be a phenomenal way for clubs to interact with one another, hold future events amongst themselves, and inspire students to join more clubs.

3. The creation of a book drive or supply drive that would take place at some point during the beginning of each semester in which current and former students can bring old materials for classes which they no longer need to donate to those who would find them helpful.. This event would ease the stress of obtaining materials for courses, allow students to gain additional materials to help with their academic endeavors, and allow connections to form between students and individuals in their desired fields. It would also be beneficial to have guest speakers to educate students on the variety of career paths they can pursue or to simply give general advice on education and life.

4. The establishment of the COPE program which seeks to aid students with negative coping mechanisms through stressful situations. Whether it be substance abuse or neglecting responsibilities, negative coping mechanisms are not an effective way of combating the challenges that life has to offer. Through this program, students should be able to effectively communicate their problems in order to plan and carry out a solution to those problems. This would be in the form of a meeting where students can voice their issues either out loud or anonymously with a professional and be given direct advice and feedback.

Senator Candidate

My name is Christian Jean-Pierre and I am a Sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Information Systems. My past experiences on campus greatly involved working with the USG in all forms of campus activities. In the past, I worked in the ticket office and in the USG suite. I was also a part of the “Street-Team” in the student life office. As a current senator I have a great deal of knowledge of what it means to be a senator. The position of At-Large Senator is one that must be used to serve those on campus in a useful, caring, and meaningful way. To be a senator one must have the best interest of the campus at heart. It is an active role that is involved in making tangible changes on campus. As a senator it is your responsibility to I believe that I would be a good candidate for this position because I am driven to serve the student body and to better the Stony Brook campus for those that reside in it. If elected as a senator, I strive to:

● Work on initiatives that let each club and organization gain the funding they need in order to cater to the needs of those who run said clubs and organizations: Clubs and organizations are the social backbone of Stony Brook. Without them, Stony Brook would be an empty husk of itself. Clubs allow each student a place to not only make new friends, but to destress from the academic hardships they face on a daily basis. Organizations provide a source of networking for those seeking to make invaluable connections on campus. During my time as a senator I had the pleasure of joining the Probationary Budget Council (PBC) which is a committee responsible for allocating a budget to unfunded clubs. It was a great experience being able to help new/in-need clubs. One example of an initiative I plan to work on would be establishing a new type of grant to help clubs that hold yearly campus-wide events. As someone who has staffed campus-wide events such as Wolfieland and Spookybrook, I know firsthand that these events require a lot of money and manpower and a grant such as the one I envision will help relieve the fiscal burden that they require.

● Working with clubs and orgs to host more events on campus: As a senator it is your duty to involve yourself in the well-being of the campus, and the general student body. In this regard, the best way to achieve being involved in both is to work with clubs and orgs to bring more events for the general student body to enjoy and participate in I hope to continue to accomplish an abundance of change to create a better Stony Brook Campus. I have many more initiatives that I plan to undertake if I were to be re-elected senator. I would like to thank those who are reading this for their time and consideration. If you have any questions feel free to email me at: christian.jean-pierre@stonybrook.edu

Senator Candidate

Hi, my name is Peter Joyce and I am running for the Undergraduate Senate. I am a Junior who is double majoring in History and Political Science. I am currently a USG Senator who is seeking a second term. My other qualifications include being the Vice President of the College Democrats and the Crisis Event Coordinator for the Model United Nations Club. I also work at the SBU Library. My experiences in these and other clubs have given me valuable insight into the positive impact that these types of organizations have had on our campus, as well as their potential to do even more.

I want to run for the Undergraduate Senate out of a desire to improve the campus experience for all students. Stony Brook has provided me with a wonderful social experience that has allowed me to meet and befriend many people. I have had many conversations with these friends about what we love about Stony Brook, and what we would like to improve. Continuing to be a part of the Senate will allow me to take these ideas and make them a reality.

My Initiatives

● Expand the Bike Program

The Biking Sharing Program on Campus, a major asset to the student body, could be improved in some key areas. One, it needs to be expanded, with stations put closer to East Side Dining, for example. Beyond expanding the locations for the bikes, maintaining a proper distribution of bikes between the stations is just as important. The routine situation where bikes accumulate near the Train Station, blocking students from leaving bikes there and limiting the number of bikes on other parts of campus needs to end.

● Encourage Unfunded Clubs to apply for Budgets

The huge variety of clubs on campus help to build a diverse and engaged community of students. A major benefit for many of these organizations is the budget provided to them by USG. However, many clubs go without budgets, limiting their reach and ability to positively affect the community. By improving communication between USG and these clubs, including providing better guidance through the process, we can encourage clubs to take advantage of the resources available to them.

● Improve USG-Student Body relations

The relationship between the Student Body and USG has often been tense at times. Many students are either unaware of USG’s activities or have misguided conceptions of what the organization actually does. This has a negative effect for both the Student Body and USG, as the lack of communication results in low voter turnout, low attendance and a general lack of representation of the Student Body. By broadening efforts to engage with the Student body and working towards much needed transparency within USG, we can help reach a more harmonious and effective relationship, where USG can more properly fulfill its role: as the elected representatives and advocates of the Student Body, who use the student activity fee to help improve the lives of students through club funding and other initiatives.

I appreciate you all for taking the time to read this statement and understand my goals. Together we can improve the quality of life for all the Seawolves on our campus!

Senator Candidate

Hello Everyone!

My name is Antonios Manolas and I am running to be one of your Senators.

I am only a Freshman, but I can tell that rising costs, like tuition and the proposed parking costs, are contributing to stress and unease in the student body, with many unsure about how their finances will keep up as they continue their education here at SBU. As your Senator, I will fight to keep as many costs as I can low, and I will introduce new initiatives to lessen some of the financial pressure that students face.

An initiative I wish to propose is a lending library program for textbooks. A major issue that I’m sure many of you have experienced is that you may need to buy a textbook for your class, but the price ends up being well over the amount you are able to spend. I wish to propose a system where students who no longer have a need for their textbook can donate it to this lending library, for use by future students at no cost. While this library might not start out with many books, I will propose that we will reach out to alumni and people giving away their textbooks to instead donate to this library in order to build its stock for current students.

Another initiative I want to propose is allowing and encouraging student run organizations to host food drive events for SBU’s Food Bank. With these increasing costs, I believe that students should not need to worry about whether they will have food available to them or not while trying to focus on their academics. By allowing SROs to hold food drives, I believe we will be able to contribute more to the food bank. This will benefit SROs as well, because it gives them a new type of event to run and will drive up engagement within their organization. Promoting the food bank more will also encourage other people to donate, because they will be more aware that donating food is an option available to them.

As your Senator, I will strive to keep financial pressure down and keep everyone aware of how they can help their community.

Senator Candidate

My name is Adam Pareek, and I am running for senate of SBU USG. I am working towards opening USG to a lot more students on campus. To bring more involvement towards campus affairs and events so that the student body at SBU feel more appreciated. As a Civil Rights Activist, I remember marching on the streets of New York City after George Floyd’s murder, because I knew back in high school that peaceful protest like Martin Luther King Jr. was the way forward as a nation. I also take mental health and bullying very seriously, as I suffered from depression and bullying in high school and have friends who suffer from depression to this day. I am running because I feel like the USG has lost a bit of touch with the students on campus, as from the senate meetings I have attended it feels more like what they are doing is doing many initiatives at an okay level, instead of less initiatives at a higher level. Also, with removal of free parking I felt like the USG senate did not do enough to help advocate for the students on campus. As such my first initiative as a senator would be to denounce and write a letter to the administration working with them to bring back free parking or to at least negotiate parking prices down. My next initiative is better food on campus; as one of the students who got food poisoning from WSD, I know food poisoning is not fun! The food quality feels like it's been steadily declining over the years during my tenure at SBU, as such that is disappointing especially when we realize that Stony Brook is considered the flagship university of NYS. As such, getting properly prepared foods would be extremely important, and working with Culinart to help their quality up, with retraining sessions or if things get extreme to advocate for their replacement. Continuing for food, more vegetarian/vegan options is also on my list for sustainability and health. It’s undeniable that vegetarian food is healthier and more sustainable for the planet (while also being cheaper)! Doing Meatless Mondays with more vegan friendly proteins (like Seitan, Tofu, Tempeh, Beans), would be great for the health of students on campus. While the pizza and Salad Bar are a good start, what I am working towards is expansion of these options so that folks with dietary restrictions don’t feel left out eating the same foods everyday while their friends have something new daily. My last initiative would be to work with the Student Advocacy Service on campus and the administration to bring Stony Brook more up to date. For example, in most universities in the US, when retaking a course, while the original attempt stays on the transcript, the original grade gets dropped if the retake grade is higher than the original. This is because the university recognizes the new grade as the one that should factored into the GPA, as you can guess Stony Brook doesn’t do this, and just keeps both grades on the transcript, this is especially damaging to out of nation students, whose first language may not be English, and can do poorly in classes that rely heavily on English while they are still trying to learn the language. Stony Brook is a great university however I feel that it has many places where it can improve upon, which is why I am running for senate, so I can work on these initiatives to help my fellow students through this amazing opportunity that is a college education.

Senator Candidate

Hi Seawolves! My name is Luca Rallis and I’m a USG Senator running for my first full term in office.

I’m a first-year political science major and mass communication minor here at Stony Brook. Additionally, I’m a founding partner at Long Island’s premier political consulting firm, where I’ve gained significant experience and skills relevant to my role with the USG. My extensive experience managing high-dollar campaign budgets, developing engaging communications strategies, and planning large-scale events sets me up for success as a Senator, where I’m tasked with allocating funds from the Student Activity Fee and planning some of SBU’s largest events.

Also, I’m a Long Island native, just like many of you. Prior to my time at Stony Brook, I graduated from Greenport High School on the North Fork, the place I still call home today. Prior to graduating, I was named one of Newsday’s 2022 Extraordinary Seniors for my political work and academic achievements.

I joined the USG as a Senator this January, and have hit the ground running. I’ve been an effective member of the Budget Grant Committee and Senate Line Committee, distributing grant funds to clubs and organizations as well as other Senators for important events and initiatives. And since October, I’ve served on a working group of the Middle States Reaccreditation Committee, collaborating with various faculty and staff to produce a self-study report to advance the MSCHE reaccreditation process, demonstrating my long-standing commitment to serving the campus community.

Stony Brook University is New York’s premier public university, and we are quickly enhancing our national image. But there’s still lots of work to do to make this school work for its students. As a Senator, I will continue to work hard to accomplish the following key initiatives:

Securing a fair and equitable parking solution for students. As a commuter, I understand the need for easy, accessible, and affordable parking for students on campus. The parking plan recently proposed by MAPS will place a significant and undue burden on students. I’m determined to fight for a sustainable solution that prioritizes students’ needs.

Bringing key large-scale events back to campus. Many campus favorite events like Back to the Brook and TEDxSBU have been notably absent in recent years. I will work to bring events like these, and others, back to campus.

Ensuring that the university protects, maintains, and invests in Ashley Schiff Preserve and the Southampton campus. Ashley Schiff Preserve is without legal protection from future development. Stony Brook’s Southampton campus is left with failing infrastructure and little investment in its future. Each of these sites is an incredibly valuable resource in their own right, and I’m determined to secure a prosperous future for them both.

I appreciate you taking the time to learn a bit about me and my campaign. I hope that you’ll vote to elect me to my first full term in the Senate so that I can continue this important work. As always, you can reach me with any questions or concerns at luca.rallis@stonybrook.edu, or on Instagram @LucaRallisUSG. Go Seawolves!

Senator Candidate

Hey SBU!

My name is Lamia Rathi and I am running to become your USG At-Large Senator! I am a double major in Political Science and Sociology on a Pre-Nursing track. As a USG Senator, it is one of my many initiatives to allocate funds to clubs and organizations that make SBU fun and active! We will have events big as Wolfie Land, Showcases, Community Service Opportunities, and most importantly incorporate ideas that come from the student body. As your senator, I will make sure to use my role so everyone can have their college experience heightened. Not only will I use my position to keep the SBU community lively but I will also advocate for the student body! I am passionate about creating and encouraging an inclusive and engaging environment for the SBU community. As I run for USG At-Large Senator, I want you all to know that my main goal is to use my creativity and the help of the student body to make SBU amusing and energetic!

Senator Candidate

My name is David-Kobby Safo and I am running for the Senate in our University’s Student Government (USG). I have heard what students want. I believe that my experience and passion make me the right candidate for this position. As a student, I have witnessed and experienced the challenges and opportunities that come with being a part of our community. I am eager to work with my fellow students and the administration to make our campus a better place for everyone.

My proposed initiatives include:

1. Strengthening Diversity and Inclusion: Our university is a diverse community, and I believe that we need to do more to celebrate and embrace our differences. I plan to work with the USG to increase diversity and inclusion training for faculty and staff, promote more diverse cultural events on campus, and support student organizations that promote diversity and inclusion.

2. Advocating for Mental Health Support: Mental health is a crucial aspect of student life. I believe that our campus needs to provide more resources and support to students who are struggling with mental health issues. I plan to work with the USG to increase funding for mental health services on campus and to expand our counseling center’s hours to better accommodate students’ schedules.

3. Promoting Food Security: Food insecurity is a serious issue that affects many students on our campus. I plan to work with the USG to create a program that provides free or low- cost meals to students in need, as well as increase awareness of local food banks and other resources that can help students who are struggling to afford food.

4. Improving Sustainability Efforts: Our university has a responsibility to reduce its environmental impact, and I believe that we can do more to promote sustainable practices. I plan to work with the USG to increase recycling efforts on campus, implement energy-efficient lighting in all buildings, and encourage students to use alternative modes of transportations.

5. Increasing Student Access to Resources: Many students on our campus face financial and academic barriers to success. I plan to work with the USG to expand access to resources such as scholarships, academic tutoring, and career counseling. Additionally, I plan to advocate for policies that increase transparency and accessibility to information about student resources.

I am excited about the opportunity to represent my fellow students in the Senate, and I believe that with hard work and dedication, we can make a positive impact on our campus and ensure that all students have a comfortable space to live and learn. Thank you for your consideration.

Senator Candidate

My name is Jada Seto and I am running to be your 2023-2024 USG At-Large Senator.

I am currently a sophomore pursuing Mechanical Engineering and Business Management. Since my first year on campus, I have become an active member of the SBU Sailing Team, Asian Student Alliance, and of course USG.

As a current Senator for USG, I have seen the impact that we are able to make to improve your voices in all the decisions on campus. I have experienced what it takes to pass new initiatives, as well as come to understand so many points of view that are important in making sure everyone is truly represented. Not only have I been able to learn so much about our 300+ clubs and organizations on campus, but get to know the people that make all these activities possible. I can’t wait to help raise mental health awareness and funds for the Mental Health Gala, celebrate SBU at Roth Regatta, and also be able to implement my own initiatives that are in the works right now.

I am excited to tackle issues that not only am I passionate about, but issues brought to my attention by all the student body. I know my role as Senator is only a representation of one of thousands, but I hope that you can find courage in me to grow with our ever-changing campus :)

As your next At- Large Senator, I will:

Seek to represent all of our Undergraduate Student Body through:

Interpersonal Collaboration: Improve our club and organization connections to build a more unified representation of all the different communities on campus.

Transparency: Increase awareness of changes happening on campus that affect all of us so that we as students who make up the majority have a say.

Department Highlights: Learn about what’s happening outside our majors and SBU Bubble, by having new cross-departmental interactive newsletters, performances and presentations.

News and Market Highlights: Being able to be aware of the issues presented in our economy and World News Forum by having a display board with up to date market and world news.

Continue my ongoing personal initiatives, including:

Increasing Network and Mentorship through Food: Create a pipeline allowing students to meet mentors throughout the month to share recipes, learn valuable life skills, and have a friend/guide through college

Reduce Container/Cutlery Waste: I will be working with FSA to find a better more sustainable solution to our current problems of plastic waste disposal which will ultimately allow us to spend our time focused on the things we eat rather than the plates we eat on.

Increase the Use of Student Spaces: Whether its outdoor use of the SAC during student lifetime to promote health and wellness, to helping with SBU Beautification projects that allow our spaces to be green, functional, and multi-purposeful, I want to use and see more people using all the spaces available throughout out University.

I can’t wait to continue to serve our student body and be able to bring even more resources, activities, and support to all of you. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at jada.seto@stonybrook.edu. Thank you for your careful consideration, time, and support. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you ♡

Senator Candidate

Hi!

My name is Leon Verkhovsky and I am a freshman who is currently AOI for Information Systems. I enjoy branching out and connecting with new people, listening to fresh perspectives, and finding out what our student body is all about. Less than a year ago I worked for a Jewish councilman who was campaigning in a district near my own. I volunteered to work with him because he was a Jewish immigrant from the USSR who sought out to help the Jewish community as well as fellow immigrants. Being a first generation American myself I knew many problems that plagued my community yet I never had the skills to articulate them. I believe that the discussions we lead amongst ourselves should never be like our last presidential debate. Our generation is filled with all sorts of perspectives and therefore it is up to us to have such sensitive conversations with the utmost mutual respect.

I hope to be a senator next semester because I believe that my curiosity, open mindedness, and sincerity will allow me to ensure that everyone feels heard. I believe that we are more than just small talk. We all have something inspiring to say even if we may not know it yet. I found myself talking to so many people during the shopping route of all places and those conversations helped me more than those individuals will ever realize. With all of this said, I do have some small initiatives that I hope will be a big hit!

*Increasing the occurrence of the shopping route. I, like many other students that live on campus, often find ourselves needing to go to Target on days other than Sunday. Our needs for different products might arise at different times throughout the week. Students that live on campus need more flexibility and as such having a shopping route on a day such as Wednesday might be quite beneficial for some students. A way to enact this would be to host a petition as well as to gather survey data to further solidify this request in the eyes of Stony Brooks transportation authority.

*Add calorie labels to all of the foods sold and/or distributed on campus. This is a healthy leap forward for those of us struggling with the freshman fifteen. Much of the food in our dining halls has an obscene amount of calories which is quite harmful to those who are trying to stay on a diet or are mindful of the amount of calories consumed. A great start would be to speak to the dining hall managers at east side and west side about redoing the labels and/or adding the necessary labels. This then can be brought further up so as to ensure that everyone can keep track of the amount of calories that they are consuming.

*Survey what it is that people would like to see at Stony Brook from their culture. As aforementioned our student body is quite broad which unfortunately means that some cultures are left standing at the side lines. Well no more! I think it's time we ask people what type of representation they would like to see. From dance nights to food in the dining halls and everything in between. This will allow students to share their culture and make fun memories.

Senator Candidate

My name is Camryn Zezelic and I am currently a Junior aspiring to pursue an MD/Ph.D. and I am double majoring in Biochemistry and Psychology. I’m passionate about my work with the Jewish community on campus, as I have been involved with e-board positions in various clubs and worked behind the scenes to ensure that the Jewish community continues to thrive. I plan to extend this work in order to advocate for all religious and cultural communities on campus, and I want to make sure that these diverse communities feel heard. I understand the importance of USG involvement in ensuring that these communities have what they need in order to continue the important work they serve in making sure that individuals feel part of a greater community. I am running for USG Senate because I understand how crucial these communities are, and I will be putting my best foot forward to advocate for this diversity on campus. I also have specific aims I would like to accomplish as USG Senator if elected:

-Providing more resources for STEM and pre-med students. Our school has a huge population of STEM students. Many times, students feel lost in finding appropriate opportunities. Similar to the weekly email that Major Departments send out, I would like to start a weekly email focusing on helping students find opportunities relating to their intended careers. For example, pre-med newsletters will contain volunteer opportunities and how to get started at various places, different research labs that are open to undergraduate students, healthcare jobs for clinical experience, discounts on MCAT prep material, and any other beneficial materials and experiences available. This would be extended to other STEM fields, and in the future even fields outside of STEM.

-More dining options for religious communities with dietary needs. This would include extending hours of operations for both kosher and halal dining, along with expanding options. Currently, both of these communities suffer from a lack of variety to draw in students and would benefit from greater student contribution to help students have better options. By expanding menu items, religious students will have more enjoyment from the variety of foods available to them on campus. Additionally, hours for Delancey are just now being extended this semester. I want to ensure that we keep these extended hours so that students can continue to have dining options on Sunday, and extend these hours so that students can enjoy meals later on in the day.

-Murals throughout campus. As someone who paints a lot in my free time, I believe there is a great benefit to adding more art to campus and encouraging students to participate. Adding a mural adds more color and beauty to the campus, and allows students to directly enhance the look of our campus. I want to work with USG Senators to continue making progress on this issue and ensure that there is a mural created that reflects the diversity of our campus and encourages new students to feel connected. Currently, our walls are very bare, and working on this initiative would ensure that students feel happier at Stony Brook for decades to come and that there is a reflection of the capabilities of students in influencing our environment.

Senator Candidate

Hey Seawolves! My name is Yuchen Zhang (he/him), and I am running for Senator in the Undergraduate Student Government.

I am a junior double majoring in History and Psychology BA. I have worn many hats throughout my years here at Stony Brook. I was a Teaching Assistant for SBU 101/102 Seminars, a tour guide, and Lauterbur Hall Council’s executive board member. Currently, I am a Resident Assistant in Chávez Hall and a USG Senator.

Being involved on campus means that I see the struggles that my fellow Seawolves are going through. I see the confused students being referred back and forth by different offices. I see the frustrated students not having their voices heard. I see the exhausted students not being given a break by their professors. The list goes on and on…

While I see all the struggles we are going through, I’ve always wondered, how can I help to make YOUR experience at Stony Brook BETTER?

Here is an outline of some of my initiatives:

Implement a Campus Resource Fair at the beginning of each semester. I will gather all the resources on campus, such as CAPS/CPO, Tutoring and Writing Centers, Advising, Student Support Team, Career Center, among many others, so students get the chance to get to know the representatives of these resources, which students have already paid for with their tuitions/fees.

Destigmatize mental health issues and increase the accessibility of mental health services. I will educate campus on the importance of normalizing mental health needs, especially since seeking help is often stigmatized. I will promote USG’s Seawolf Mental Health Fund so that more money can be raised into this fund, and students who seek mental health services beyond CAPS services have the funding to do so.

Host a Digital Cleaning educational campaign towards the end of each semester. I will educate our student body on everyday ways to declutter, clean, and secure your computer, such as clearing out old files, organizing your Google Drive, and making your Gmail “cleaner”. I will collaborate with DoIT to create guides on how to better your digital footprint at SBU and beyond.

Bring back TEDxSBU. I will create an event where members of our campus community have a chance to experience TED talks on campus, engage with new ideas, spark conversations, create connections, and build communities with each other. You can find videos of TEDxSBU talks on YouTube, all of them are inspirational and thought-provoking. With the world changing day by day, it is time to bring TEDxSBU back!

Throughout my three years here at Stony Brook, I have been very fortunate to connect with so many members of our student body. I see the ambition and drive of our student body. I see the hard work and dedication our student body has to succeed! Now it is time for our student body to have an experience that matches our desires and aspirations!

You can reach out to me at any time at yuchen.zhang.3@stonybrook.edu. Thank you for your time, consideration, and support!