Treasurer Candidate

My name is Philip Austin; I am a rising senior studying Psychology and the Historian for Black World, which has enabled me to hone my interpersonal communication and project management skills. Outside of Stony Brook, I have worked in various legal and educational settings, which have allowed me to sharpen my analytical, financial planning, leadership, and organizational skills. I am running for Treasurer because I want to advocate for my peers’ interest in allocating and distributing the Student Activities Fee. Below is a list of my top 3 initiatives to advance in office.

Initiatives:

1. Improve funding opportunities for underfunded and unfunded clubs.

Coming from an unfunded club, I understand the frustration of securing financing for club projects. As Treasurer, I’d work closely with my peers on the Executive Council to create an awareness campaign for underfunded and unfunded clubs of all the grant opportunities available to them and lobby for the creation of more funding opportunities.

2. Incentivize community service by clubs and organizations

Our clubs and organizations are the keystones of our campus life. As club and organization leaders, it is important for us to encourage our members to give back to their community. I intend to coordinate closely with the VP of Student Life and VP of Clubs and Organizations to devise a plan to encourage clubs and organizations to participate in community service opportunities.

3. Broaden awareness of on-campus mental health resources

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of mental health services and standing in solidarity with our fellow Seawolves in times of crisis. As Treasurer, I intend to collaborate closely with the Vice President of Student Life, Vice President of Clubs & Organizations, CAPS, and CPO to encourage clubs and organizations to host USG co- sponsored mental health awareness events.

Thank you for reading my platform statement and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the interests of my fellow Seawolves, as your next Treasurer.

Treasurer Candidate

As the current Treasurer and President Elect of the Swim Club at Stony Brook, I have gained some valuable experiences in collaborating with the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and navigating the voucher/approval process for clubs to access their Line Budgets. In my candidacy, I aim to prioritize the optimization of the voucher process, with an effort to streamline the access to the line budgets for all campus organizations. My aspiration is to implement a system that embodies transparency, efficacy, and ease-of-use for all university-affiliated clubs and associations.

Financial management is a crucial aspect of any club or organization. I recognize the significance of this matter and am committed to optimizing the voucher process to ensure a seamless experience for all clubs. Drawing from my experience, I will spearhead efforts to the number of holds and expedite the time required to get access to money. Moreover, I will take measures to ensure that guidelines and procedures are clear and easy to understand for all clubs, especially new treasures, to access their funds accurately and appropriately. My in-depth comprehension of the USG system has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to tackle these challenges with confidence and resoluteness.

Overall, my platform is focused on creating a system that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of university clubs and organizations. If elected, I will work tirelessly to make sure that each club has access to the funds they need as quickly as possible.

Treasurer Candidate

Hello!!! My name is Easmin Chowdhury but I also go by Yazz. I am an Applied Mathematics major as well as a psychology major. A fun fact about me is I am allergic to pineapples. I have been working in USG for the past two years from senator to associate treasurer and now I am running for treasurer. I have vast experience and detailed plans on improving USG processes. So far, I have helped place menstrual hygiene dispensers in SAC bathrooms and worked with FSA dining services and CPO to make the students voices heard. I plan on bridging the communication between students and the academic departments. I also plan on creating new funding methods and events to be able to provide students and club leaders with the resources needed to succeed.

Treasurer Candidate

Hello, fellow Seawolves! My name is Amitesh Reddy Akiti and I am running for the treasurer position at the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). I have been a senator in the USG for over a year, where I have worked on various initiatives to inform, engage, and support our student community. I have also served in the Budget Grant Committee, where I have helped allocate funds to various student organizations and activities. In addition, I have worked as an Information Technology Intern at the Faculty Student Association of SBU, where I have gained valuable skills and experience in managing data and systems. With my background and expertise, I am confident that I can handle the financial and fiscal matters of the USG effectively and efficiently.

USG’s primary source of funding is the mandatory Student Activity Fee, paid by all full-time members of the Undergraduate Student Body at Stony Brook University, providing for an annual budget of approximately $3.6 Million. As the treasurer, I will be responsible for preparing and overseeing the USG annual budget and the Student Activities Board (SAB) budget. I will also ensure that all financial operations and decisions are transparent and accountable to the student body. Here are Some of my goals as the treasurer:

1) To increase communication and collaboration with the student body on financial matters. I will publish regular reports on the USG website and social media platforms, and hold open forums and surveys to solicit feedback and suggestions from students. I will also work closely with other USG members, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and local businesses to advance our common goals and interests.

2) To allocate funds efficiently and equitably to support various student organizations and activities. I will work closely with the SAB and other committees to review funding requests and proposals, and prioritize those that align with the USG mission and vision, as well as the needs and interests of the student body. I will also seek additional sources of revenue and savings for the USG, such as fundraising, sponsorship, grants, donations, and partnerships with external entities.

3) To address some of the current and controversial issues that affect our student body. I will uphold the values of democracy, diversity, and dignity in all financial matters. I will also support initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life and well-being of our student Community.

Stony Brook University is a great institution that offers many opportunities for its students, especially in STEM fields. However, it also has some challenges and drawbacks, such as overcrowded dorms, lack of campus life on weekends, high tuition fees, and low student satisfaction. As the treasurer, I will strive to address these issues by improving the financial well- being of our student body. I will also implement cost-cutting measures and best practices to reduce unnecessary expenses and waste.

I hope you will vote for me as your next treasurer. Together, we can make Stony Brook University a better place!

Treasurer Candidate

Hi everyone! My name is Ferrick Robertson and I’m a sophomore Political Science major running for the Treasurer position at USG. Although I have only been on campus for two years, I’ve been involved with USG since the 2nd day of freshman year, working as a front desk receptionist. As the first person you interact with whenever you enter the office, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, my time management skills have prospered greatly; I have been balancing two minors, a sports team, and participation in a fashion show all while making an hour's commute to campus on weekdays. As someone who has been a part of multiple different projects and teams, some of the key parts of any operation are communications and accountability. While the Treasury Office has improved over the years, it is nowhere near as efficient as it could be. With my experience both in the office and as a student, I want to improve the current system in the Treasury office and create a better, lasting relationship with our fellow students. Some of my initiatives include the following:

Parking on Campus:

Parking has always been an issue on campus. However, with the recent changes proposed by the Mobility and Parking Services (MAPS), this issue has drastically increased. If left alone, the parking situation is heading toward a discourse that will cause a rift between students and the administration. I want to work with administration to reorganize and create a plausible solution that benefits everyone.

Effective and Efficient Communication

The Treasury office is often occupied during work hours. However, with no communication, clubs would go to me to eventually wait for a chance to talk with the office. This stalling is inefficient and causes nothing but hindrances to both parties involved. I will provide a system that allows for allotted time for each club and meeting, making it straightforward and easy to access. For example, a check-in that lets you know if the office is busy, and approximately how long the meeting will be depending on the topic/issue.

Cooperation Between Treasury and Clubs

Whether it is a missed deadline or the Treasury office being unavailable, I have witnessed situations where clubs are unhappy with the status or a discussion with the Treasury Office. Oftentimes, this leaves a bad taste for both parties. I want to improve the availability and communication to clubs and organizations, lowering miscommunication and making it easier to have a conversation with the office.

These are just a few of the things I have in store for next year, and I will be relying on communication and support from both clubs and students to get started as soon as possible. If you give me a chance, I’ll be sure to push for positive changes in the future, improving campus for all of us.

Thank you for your time and the chance to be a candidate! If you have any questions, you can reach me at ferrick.robertson@stonybrook.edu!