2023-2024
Candidates for President
Anindya Debnath
Community Endorsements: Dickinson
Student Success = Student Happiness
The University Counseling Center has been failing us. Funded entirely by the Health & Counseling Fee, our $400 fee hasn’t been increased since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite a growing student population, UCC’s funding has been eaten by inflation without a proportional increase in resources. While the fee freeze is SUNY policy, the University can allocate extra funding to hire more counselors, provide more sessions, and enhance this essential service.
Student Organizations = Student Life
The pandemic has thrusted our organizations into a world with inflation devastating our means to survive. I can’t promise a budget increase, but I can promise more grants to bridge the gap between the amount of money orgs have and need. I promise to create a Public Service, Health & Wellness, and Civic Engagement Grant, and more for our orgs.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion = Strength
As a member of the BIPOC community and an immigrant to this country, my experiences have been defined by a lack of opportunity and the reality that everyone in this country doesn’t have an equal opportunity to succeed. We need to track and publish diversity metrics, and use the data to take meaningful steps, ensure leadership responsibility, and convey the mission of the SA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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Benjamin So
Community Endorsements: CIW
As an RA, last years CIW EVP, and a community member, I plan to create a communicative and accountable Student Association and Administration to create an inclusive and engaged community. My pillars are below.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
- Inclusivity and Accessibility are crucial to establishing an engaged Binghamton Community. I hope to bring student perspectives to administration to enhance the campus experience for new and marginalized students. I plan to establish a Spring Club fair and coordinate with equity offices to facilitate opportunities for SA organizations to engage with new and marginalized students.
Communication
- A Communicative SA ensures student organizations are well-equipped for success. Likewise, the Executive Board needs a strong leader who firmly advocate for their initiatives for change to Administration. I plan to Establish Student Association Executive Board Bi-Monthly Conferences, alongside Presidential fireside chats and advocate for Administrative support for Executive Board initiatives to ensure lasting change.
Accountability
An Accountable SA and Administration is crucial to establishing inclusive and lasting change on Campus. I plan to bring student issues to the Harvey’s office and advocate for policies that hold faculty accountable for actions, and work with the Elections and Judiciary Committee to fill the Judicial Board and strengthen club’s ability to check SA power.
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Elisheva Ezor
Community Endorsements: n/a
I’ve seen in my own life both the challenges that different communities face from systems not designed to protect and support them, and the power that strong advocacy has to make positive change in those systems. My priority as President of the SA is to be that strong advocate for safety and equitable treatment for the entire Binghamton student body, especially with these initiatives:
Student workers/TAs:
Mandatory sexual harassment training: Student workers/TAs do not receive training on avoiding sexual harassment, or how to respond to harassment when it occurs. They and the students they serve are both at risk without mandatory training. Commuter parking lots are closed from 12 midnight until 5 a.m., putting students working overnight on campus at a profound disadvantage. I will push for a change to this policy and others that hurt student success.
Student organizations:
Fairer expense policies: Currently, student organizations must lay out funds for expenses in advance and then request reimbursement from the VPF office. This puts organizations run by students with fewer personal financial resources at risk for unpaid bills, poor credit, etc. I will work with VPF office to overhaul this system and promote greater financial equity for students.
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Galileo Savage
Community Endorsements: Newing, OC3
I aim to improve the student experience by ensuring all students feel valued and supported on our campus.
Firstly, I plan to increase the variety of cultural dishes in the dining hall to better represent the student population, promoting unique conversations about culture and representing our diverse student body.
Secondly, I propose creating a President’s Chat to connect leaders of different organizations on campus, to work towards a more united and cohesive student body. We will utilize a shared calendar accessible to all students and will include important information such as event details.
Thirdly, I propose implementing town hall meetings to foster open dialogue between students and administrators, providing an opportunity for students to voice their concerns and provide feedback to the administration.
Fourthly, I suggest adjusting meal plans to include dining swipes to save students’ money.
Lastly, I propose working with Adaptive Driving School to provide driver’s education to students to be better prepared for the workforce, as well as provide two credits for taking an OCCT training course to improve transportation.
I am committed to serving as your president and working towards a more supportive and inclusive campus community. Thank you for considering my platform.
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Logan Blakeslee
Community Endorsements: n/a
The administration has forgotten about student needs. Parking Services and Sodexo are worse on this campus than they have ever been before. I am running for S.A. President to concentrate on the daily problems of student life, and highlight the fact that we pay more to the university every year, but get less in return. I want to start a movement to reduce parking ticket fees, and address rising tuition costs. Additionally, I intend on vetoing any increases on the Student Activity Fee, which are normally approved by Student Congress. This will force the S.A. to use the unspent funds allocated to clubs instead of raising costs on average students. My presidency will work to establish a Permanent Dining Committee so that students with dietary restrictions will no longer find pork or ham in food labeled kosher, halal, or vegan, as was the case in three separate dining halls this Spring semester. We must remind the administration that our campus has a diverse range of cultures and needs. As your president, I will fight for inclusivity in every way possible, including fighting for low-income and homeless students.
Candidates for Executive Vice President
Chance Fiorisi
Community Endorsements: CIW, Dickinson
As your Executive Vice President, I will use my experience and work ethic to bolster the following platform plans:
Internal Reform
- Develop a new chartering process that will cut convoluted red tape to make creating clubs on campus easier and faster
- Reform the EVP office to include electronic data sheets to ensure consistency when approving full club charters
- Create a new program to address space allocation issues and concerns too many students leaders have on the current system
Leadership
- Get my hands dirty to facilitate all clubs conflicts as quickly as possible while respecting their circumstances
- Assist all 250+ clubs on campus with leadership concerns and provide an example of how to effectively run club facilities and activities
- Hold accessible office hours to ensure all students, regardless of class schedule, have the chance to visit the EVP office for questions
With my experience in SA, I see the problems students face. We need to cut the red tape, to make chartering new clubs on campus more accessible. We also need to ensure that everyone is in the loop with how chartering a club is done, we cannot leave another student behind on this crucial information. Together, we can accomplish this.
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Daniel Croce
Community Endorsements: CIW, Dickinson, OC3
Promises Made, Promises Kept
Upon the foundation of the promises made and kept during my tenure as the VPF, my original four pillars will be expanded to offer more sweeping change to the VPF office.
Transparency: Continuing the friendly communication of the Vice President for Finance office that has occurred during my first year in office is extremely important. Active and widespread communication directly to the student groups via new social media channels will prove necessary for long-term success.
Clarity: Following my overhaul of the entire FPP, I will continue to optimize a number of policies that impact all student organizations. For starters, I will overhaul procedures regarding conference travel. Workshops and expanded training will prove instrumental in increasing clarity for all students.
Efficiency: As student organizations work to provide impactful programming to all students, having an efficient Vice President for Finance office is key. I will continue the efficient processing of all vouchers, prior approvals, and tax exempt forms.
Advocacy: All Student Association entities have long struggled with restrictive policies regarding the inability to use Venmo as a digital payment platform. Working with the Student Association auditor, I will be unveiling a trial plan which will allow an audit-safe use of Venmo.
Candidates for Vice President for Student Success
Luca Cassidy
Community Endorsements: Dickinson
Accessibility: Equal access for all creates a better community
- Make S.A. more accessible to students and clubs
- Create a more physically and electronically accessible campus for students with disabilities
- Increase access to sexual health products
Active Learning: Half of education is what you do outside the classroom
- Promote club membership
- Invest in classes that take you out the classroom
- Get students more involved in the local community
A Fun Time: Students need to be happy to succeed in college and in life
- More on campus events
- Expand on-campus food options
- Invest in mental health resources
Candidates for Vice President for Multicultural Affairs
Adejo Ibrahim
Community Endorsements: CIW
My name is Adejo Ibrahim and I am running for VPMA with the intention of bridging the gap between the different cultures here at Binghamton University. I believe that everyone finds their comfort zone culturally and stays in it, missing out on the great opportunities and knowledge of other cultures. I feel I make a great candidate because I am very passionate about learning about the different cultures of the world. I am personable, team-oriented and patient as well as hardworking and willing to give my all into everything I do. Bridging the gaps in cultures here is a tall task but not an impossible one. The major problem is the lack of information spread to people outside of specific groups. I would use VPMA resources to get the word out about different organizations and events. An example of this would be spotlighting organizations and its leaders on the VPMA Instagram page. I would also like to host large events such as a World Food Tour to highlight different cultural staples in a shared space.
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Khalimah Choi Owens
Community Endorsements: Dickinson
Hello everybody!!! My name is Khalimah Choi-Owens, and I’m a junior majoring in Integrative Neuroscience & Economics with a minor in Digital and Data Studies. Currently, I’m the Advising Head Office Director for the VPMA’s office and I really enjoy working with different multicultural organizations to coordinate large scale events like the Annual Multicultural Extravaganza and working with them individually by giving out grants that help make their amazing events possible. My platform is centered around three C’s: Communication, Collaboration, and Community. If elected, I intend to improve the communication between not only SA and multicultural organizations, but also between organizations. I intend to create more collaboration opportunities between SA and multicultural organizations and the benefit of amplified communication between organizations will lead to more collaborations between them. True community is a force to be reckoned with and I intend to build stronger and closer connections between the VPMA office and all the incredible cultural organizations. My number one priority is to make Binghamton University a place where everyone can feel included, accepted, and safe, regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexuality, class, disability, or any difference at all. Through unity we can continue to elevate and grow our community.
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Krizia Yao
Community Endorsements: OC3
My name is Krizia Yao, and I am running for VPMA with a fresh vision for bolstering cultural unity on campus. Being involved with the Asian Student Union, I have seen how many cultural groups are separate and lacking intersection. Thus, I intend to promote togetherness through multicultural collaboration, promotion, and communication.
Multicultural Collaboration
- Host a multicultural block party to welcome students in the beginning of year, where organizations table with food, games, and student performances
- Host an end of the year mixer to strengthen bonds amongst cultural e-boards
- Maximize club engagement via diversifying its member base Promotion
- Post graphics of each cultural organizations’ signature events every month
- Spotlight cultural beauty (student businesses that do hair, nails, etc…)
- Film overview videos of each club throughout the year to help new students find what community they might like best
- Incentivize participation in cultural events across different communities with club merch/stickers for whomever attends Communication
- Cultural organization discord server open to Binghamton students to promote events and develop comradery
- Update cultural organization information on the MRC website and B-engaged for new students/transfers
- Establish a VPMA MRC liaison to collect organization programming for that month via google forms
Candidates for Vice President for Programming
Sydney Ferreira
Community Endorsements: n/a
As Vice President for Programming, I would focus on fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and collaboration to ensure all Binghamton University students are offered equal experiences of the highest quality. I will make sure the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB) operates inclusively throughout the entire course of planning and executing events by tending to the specific and unique interests of students at large. This will be achieved through asking for feedback through in-person interactions during frequent tabling, surveys that include a variety of choices of performers, an active social media presence with periodic use of polls and Q&A’s, and feedback forms sent out to attendees after events for criticism. Everyone should feel safe, comfortable, and accommodated at SAPB events. This environment will be created through the continued use of image descriptions on social media posts, as well as through an opportunity for students to openly communicate any necessary accommodations they may require upon registration, testing venues’ accessibility, and addressing the needs of attendees during events. Collaboration with SA-chartered organizations, student-run small businesses, and other SA committees will spotlight students’ diverse skillsets and integrate the Binghamton University community as a whole so all students feel a sense of belonging at events.
Candidates for Binghamton University Council Representative
Nora Monasheri
Community Endorsements: OC3, Newing
Advocacy: Since arriving on campus, I’ve learned the ins and outs of what our student body – the essence of our school – needs, and I will work endlessly to advocate for them. I aim to forge a clearer line of connection between the students and administration with decisions, issues, and policies. As the founder of the Road Map Internship, I have the privilege to work with President Stenger in his office, and as BU Council Rep the relationship as a bridge-builder for students will only strengthen from here.
Established Committee: While each SA E-Board Member has student-workers all year to support them, it’s just as crucial for the BU Council Rep to have a dedicated committee to grasp the crucial work done for the Binghamton Community. This prepares for the longevity of the role: serving to continue the representative’s ideas in succeeding years, and ultimately making sure the right leaders are in place.
Inclusivity: Lastly, there is an evident need to facilitate a stronger sense of inclusivity for students of all backgrounds. I aim to address this by advocating for mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion guidelines in all syllabi for Professors and in all policies held by the University. This will cultivate an environment where students not only feel supported intellectually and academically but also extended to a sense of belonging in the classroom beyond any means.
As Nora the Explorer, I will explore all points on the map to ensure that student voices are heard and represented. I am devoted to serving these needs and look forward to the opportunity to do so if elected!
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Sophia Yazdi
Community Endorsements: CIW, Dickinson
Why I’m Running
As BU Council Representative, I plan to amplify the student voice, increase student-administration communication, increase collaboration with Binghamton SA, and provide new insights. I have experience in the CIW Council and SA Congress and have connected with many departments on campus and several student organizations.
The Plan
Provide A Strong Voice For Students
I plan to be a strong advocate for students to the administration to ensure that student body opinions are taken into consideration in administrative decision-making.
Facilitate Communication Between Student Body And Administration
Communication is key to ensuring that students are on the same page as the administration. In my role as an SA Representative, I have seen and plan to rectify the disparity between the vast resources of the university and student awareness.
Expand Collaboration Between Student Association And Administration
As a representative in the SA Congress, I have witnessed the disconnect between the students, Binghamton SA, and administration. I plan to increase awareness of administrative actions within the student body and expand access for students to report concerns on campus to the administration, employing a revamped collaboration with the SA.
Bring A New Perspective To Binghamton
As a freshman heavily involved on campus, I can see the campus with fresh eyes and envision new strategies for Binghamton University. Rather than becoming familiar with the status quo, I can bring new perspectives to the table
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Victoria Barics
Community Endorsements: n/a
As BU Council Representative I’ll pull on my past experience at BU to achieve a platform in favor of our students. I’ve served the Binghamton community as an RA, OA, and manager of the Food Co-Op, and have dedicated myself to advocacy through my leadership roles with SEEK and DOVE. These experiences give me unique knowledge of this university and student body needed to be an effective Council Representative.
Mental Health Awareness and Connection:
Ensuring students have access to resources that recognize their differing struggles, backgrounds, and identities is crucial. I intend to create avenues to connect students with resources that legitimize their experiences. I will work hard to reduce stigma and ease the process of seeking help.
Sexual Assault Awareness, Education, and Mitigation:
To create a safer campus, more educational and preventative measures must be taken. I will work to implement education that goes beyond the legal definitions of sexual assault, and also work to make resources more accessible to students.
Advocacy and Open Communication:
This role is chiefly to advocate for the student body. I’d enter this role with elasticity, listening to and prioritizing student needs. I’d make myself accessible by hosting office hours for any student to attend, as well as maintaining a system of strong communication with the SA and GSO.