VP of Communications Candidate

What I wish to accomplish is simple:

1. Increase Transparency of Undergraduate Student Government

2. Establish a direct line of communication with the student body

3. Bring Awareness to Campus Issues

4. Highlight the use of the Student Activity Fee

Hello!

My name is David Gonzalez. I am running for Vice President of Communications in the Stony Brook Undergraduate Student Government.

In this position I would like to expand further on transparency which is often something commonly promised. This would be done by making the USG website more readily oriented towards students as a means of knowing what the Undergraduate Student Government actually does with readily accessible means of showing the election process, the usage of senate committees, as well as establishing the primary roles of USG through a comprehensive breakdown of the constitution on the physical website rather than using items such as Google docs as a means of increasing website traffic as well as creating more cohesion. I would also like to spotlight specific senators as well as their initiatives in order to draw in more people to run for senate as well as to inspire them to pursue this position so that they can accomplish whatever they envision Stony Brook to look like.

This would not only be limited on the website but would also be carried on towards Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube (for longer content) so as to adequately advertise and bring light to —as mentioned— prior senate meetings, initiatives, as well as organizations and clubs on campus. I would also just like to increase the frequency of making students aware of extremely relevant campus news that would likely be an unopened email. This would be in regards to quality of life and administrative action. In addition to this, I would like to also increase the frequency of student surveys as a means of measuring their quality of life on campus as well as a means to provide suggestions.

What I most wish to accomplish and is tied in to all of which I have stated above is pure documentation of how money is moved from the initial student activity fee and eventually into the multitude of events provided here on campus.

I believe in always putting my best foot forward and providing for as many people as possible. In the year that I have been here at Stony Brook I’ve continued to be treated with kindness and compassion from everyone I meet and I aspire to try my best in returning the favor through fostering and expanding the sense of community that I feel I’ve been given.

In my pursuit of becoming Vice President of Communications I am furthering my attempt to fulfill this mission.

Thank you,

David Gonzalez

VP of Communications Candidate

I, Christopher Jean-Pierre, a sophomore majoring in music and business, am running for the position of Vice President of Communications. As an active member of the Stony Brook community, I have always strived to help and empower my fellow students through my various influential roles on campus. My role as an employee of the USG Ticket Office has given me experience with club and organization events. Selling and distributing tickets to students has helped me develop an understanding of how events are managed, organized, and advertised. As an audio-visual technician for the Office of Student Life, I have personally provided clubs and other organizations with AV assistance and equipment. As a content creator and an executive member/audio video editor for the media organization Black World, I have experience managing and marketing an organization's social media account, working with a team to provide engaging and entertaining content, and using audio/video equipment.

I am grateful for the opportunities that this campus has afforded me and for allowing me to serve my fellow students. I want to bring out this campus community's talent and display it. I seek to create an environment that encourages creativity, positivity, and fun. I want to take serving the campus community to the next level and I can accomplish this with your help if you vote for me, Christopher Jean-Pierre, as your Vice President of Communications.

Initiatives:

Creating more spaces for artists and content creators. This campus is full of many talented individuals and groups. I would like to provide locations for those artists and creators to practice and record. I would like to supply studio spaces with microphones, audio interfaces, and a drum kit ideally. Having these studio spaces can give students experience with industry gear and can help them kick-start their online careers and display their abilities.

Highlighting and bringing more attention to minority groups. Stony Brook’s campus community is comprised of many groups and people from different backgrounds. It is this diversity that gives this campus community its uniqueness and appeal. I want to make sure that all different kinds of people from all different walks of life have the opportunity to express themselves in a safe and fair environment.

Promoting USG and creating transparency with the students. Despite our influence on campus USG still flies under the radar of some students. USG hosts many events and has many opportunities to offer. I want students to take advantage of these opportunities because, at the end of the day, USG is here to serve the students and advocate for them.

VP of Communications Candidate

Dear fellow Seawolves,

My name is Arnav Sawant, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for VP of Communications at the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). As a Senator in the USG, I have had the privilege of working on various initiatives such as campus dining, event planning, and fostering engagement through the Probationary Budget Committee. I have also served as a USG representative and member of the International Student Advisory Council (ISAC), where I advocated for the needs and challenges of international students at Stony Brook. Additionally, I have previous experience working as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Student Affairs.

I am passionate about enhancing communication and transparency between the USG and the student body, as well as improving student life and programming on campus. Effective communication is key to building trust, understanding, and collaboration.

As VP of Communications, I will work tirelessly to achieve these goals by implementing the following initiatives:

● Developing a more user-friendly and interactive website for the USG that showcases its achievements, projects, events, budget allocations, policies, and more.

● More Transparency in the USG Treasury Funds allocation

● Establishing a regular podcast that informs students about the latest news, updates, and opportunities from the USG, Stony Brook University, and beyond.

● Organizing more events and activities that promote student involvement, diversity, wellness, culture, entertainment, and more.

● Soliciting feedback from students through various channels such as online forums, focus groups, town halls, suggestion boxes, and more to understand their needs, concerns, and expectations.

I am also committed to addressing specific issues that are important to our student community, such as:

● Commuter Parking: Many commuter students are unhappy with the current parking situation on campus. They have to pay extra for premium permits or park far away from their classes. They also face difficulties finding parking spaces during peak hours or when there are special events. As VP of Communications, I will advocate for more affordable, convenient, and accessible parking options for commuter students. I will also work with Mobility & Parking Services (MAPS) to improve communication about parking availability, regulations, and changes. I will also seek feedback from commuter students about their parking needs, preferences, and suggestions.

● Campus Dining: Many students are dissatisfied with the food quality, variety, and service at campus dining locations. They complain about finding foreign objects in their food, having limited options for dietary restrictions, or facing long lines and delays. As VP of Communications, I will work with Faculty Student Association(FSA) to improve food safety, variety, and quality.

Vote for me if you want a VP who is dedicated to communication, student life, and advocating for you. Together, we can make Stony Brook an even better place to live, learn, and grow!

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Arnav Sawant