Assemblies Elections

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Representative

Clouse Lee (cjl277)

My name is Clouse, and I am ready to serve as your CALS representative.

A brief summary of myself: I am currently a Sophomore Transfer in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. I like golf, Chipotle, anything involving puppies, and going to the gym. Unarguably, I am one of the biggest fans of Disney movies- if you find me on campus, ask me to sing any major original soundtrack. I’ll know it. Every lyric. I’m also terrified of any insect exceeding a length or width of approximately 1.25 cm.

More pertinent to this election, however, I have a strong passion for leadership and initiative. Throughout my high school experience, I’d served as class Vice President my first three years, eventually becoming the executive Vice President my senior year, as well as the head of several committees and clubs. Through these positions, I discovered the experience, and a love of, being both a leader and a representative.

Therefore, CALS, I want to represent you, to mitigate our daily conflicts, such as traffic inconveniences and a lack of dining options on the Ag Quad, for now, and for the future, to optimize your experience here over the next few years. Help me help you, us, and Cornell as a whole.

Thanks guys!

David Cox (djc398)

Hello,

My name is David Cox and I am running for the CALS Representative. I transferred to Cornell University a year ago and understand the overwhelming nature of the many diverse programs offered. I believe I am the best candidate for this position because I have heavy experience in leadership and policy implementation that I learned during my 4 years of military service.

Besides voicing advocacy for the CALS body, I am looking to enhance the resources available to our diverse college of dedicated professionals in the form of research funding/opportunities, pre-professional priority, extracurricular exposure (i.e. horticulturalist orgs., ag/animal sci groups etc.) and inclusion of our incredible student population in campus-wide decisions.

I want to take this opportunity to assure each person that their collective voice has a channel through my candidacy and I will make every effort to engage the administration in each endeavor. I truly embrace the ideals of selfless-service and take great pride in the achievements garnered by our peers in CALS.

Your vote matters to me and I will champion on your behalf. I will never give in, never give up on you, and never surrender Only a former soldier can deliver this

David J. Cox

College of Arts and Sciences Representative

Hamish MacDiarmid (hm379)

My name is Hamish Ross MacDiarmid

I am a sophomore majoring in Gov and Econ in Arts and Sciences and I intend to win as representative for the college of Arts & Sciences. Furthermore, I will bring about better representation and involvement to our college. As a sophomore in the college I have seen a variety of issues affecting my fellow students which I intend to mitigate by becoming OUR representative

-More advising available for students so that they can be led on the correct track

Cut down on the requirements so that students will have more opportunity to pursue a liberal arts degree.

Introducing a diversity option for students as part of their requirements

-Currently, there are too many requirements for an effective diversity requirement to be implemented, furthermore, by enforcing so many requirements it only leads to students disliking the classes and subjects

-Evaluations by students for professors WILL count and affect professors standing

-Support the performing arts and increase their budget available

-The HIDDEN Arts and Sciences budget will be disclosed to all so that we can see WHERE our money goes

- lucky charms cereal in cafeterias

Hope with Hamish

First Generation Student Representative at Large

Ashley Pabon (ap894)

From a very young age, I was made aware that the experiences I’ve had in my life are privileges. As two Colombian immigrant parents who lacked the opportunity and resources to attend higher education, my parents instilled within me a sense of duty to the social group I represent. Statistics show that most individuals like me, those who belong to the Hispanic minority demographic, are more likely to become trapped in system of poverty, a world that society expects us to enter and seldom escape. Luckily, my parents’ ability to build up their prosperity kept me out of that world and paved the way for me to be the First Generation student I am today. For me, First Generation is much more than a simple label; it is an identity fueled by an internal drive for redemption. I’ve never been one to calmly settle for the expectations society sets forth for me, and I recently realized (with wise insight from a friend) that by being who I am, attending Cornell as a first generation Hispanic female, and defying the statistics, my existence is resistance. All that I am defies what society expected of me. I defy the odds. In representing the First Generation students of the student body, I hope to be a prominent voice for those who defy the odds.

Mayra Valadez (mv357)

Hello fellow Cornellians, my name is Mayra Valadez, and I am running for First Generation Student Liaison at-Large. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, California, the daughter of working-class Mexican immigrants. Growing up, educational opportunities were few, and my dreams of going to college were masked with financial doubt and low standards of achievement. I ask myself how I ended up at Cornell every day. Over time, this campus has become home. Adjusting to Cornell’s diverse student body and demanding academics was the harder than I expected. I anticipate that most incoming first-generation college students feel similarly. As your first-generation student liaison, I will work tirelessly to make Cornell home for incoming students and current students who still struggle with the college-life balance. I plan to work with current first-generation student programs like First In Class and organizations within ALANA to help first-gen students of color. As a low-income first-generation woman of color, I believe that the intersectionality of a students’ identity is incredibly important to gauge what needs they need met. I will do all in my power to make Cornell home for every first-generation college student on this campus.

Richard Escobar (rre29)

My name is Richard Escobar, I am currently a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health and Society in the College of Human Ecology. Originating from Miami, Florida, I am a first generation student. Being the first in my family to attend college, I know the feeling of not being able to turn to your parents or other relatives for assistance when it comes to college related things. This led to becoming an active member in the First In Class student organization in order to better understand what it means to be a first generation student but also in determining the needs that are present among those who identify as such. I know that if I am elected to this position, I will successfully represent first generation students and implement policies that will help them in their college careers. This could range from financial aid policies to providing programs that may assist them in their endeavors. First generation students should know that they are policies and programs and resources in place to specifically suit their needs.

Zelia Gonzales (zqg3)

As a first generation student I know some of the barriers to getting a college education, let alone an Ivy League diploma, and I want to amplify our voice as risk takers and creators in honor of those challenges. I will represent the interests of students first on college campuses, first in a four-year college and first in the United States, with a focus on policies directly from student ideas. I am committed to serving the interests of all Cornell students first to go where no one else has gone and to the creation of innovative resources to ensure many more generations have the same opportunity to break boundaries.

Back in California, I spent two years working for the City of Sacramento working for my district’s constituencies organizing neighbors for change, managing specific case work and researching then crafting minimum wage policy to help our city. I believe this previous work as well as extensive ground and policy activism experience around ending the school to prison pipeline, increasing transportation access, and finding ways to end the side affects of poverty in my city and around my home state give me a leg up in understanding the responsibility of a representative to their people.

Thank you for your vote!

Freshman Representative

Ashwin Viswanathan (av389)

My name is Ashwin Viswanathan and I am running to be one of your Freshman Representatives for the 2016–2017 academic year. As a background, I’m in the College of Arts and Sciences as a Chemical Biology major, and for most of my life I’ve been deeply involved with student government. More important than my past, however, is what I plan to do with the future, should I be elected as one of your Representatives. My goals for the year primarily focus on campus integration, with a secondary focus on infrastructural improvement. Some of my ideas include:

- Installing water bottle filling stations to each floor of every dorm, so as to ease the process of refilling reusable water bottles, and to encourage students to move away from disposable plastic bottles

- Posting TCAT schedules and/or maps for each bus that picks up at any given stop

- Improving communication pathways for the students to reach the SA, faculty, staff, administration, and most of all, other students

These improvements can be integral in not only improving Cornell’s campus but also in integrating students into the campus to a greater extent. As your Freshman Representative, I would push for not only what we think we need, but also all that we could dream of wanting.

Brandon Risley (bbr34)

Suh dudes!

My name’s Brandon Risley and I’m running for Freshman Representative. I could use this opportunity to explain how my past leadership experiences qualify me for this position, but I’m not because I want to get to what really matters; my plan of action. As your rep I plan to:

1) Put a Container Deposit Machine on campus: New York is one of the eleven states that has a container deposit law, yet Freshman lack the resources to benefit from it. A machine on campus will allow students to convert the water bottles under their bed into extra cash.

2) Lower Cornell’s hidden costs: Coming to Cornell, I was shocked to see a price tag on mandatory gym classes and gym memberships. Though a walk to classes is a work out in itself, I believe that paying students should not be charged for physical activity.

3) Echo your opinion to the assembly: When all is said and done, my priority is to act as a median between those I represent and the assembly. I will devote my time to making sure your ideas and suggestions make it into the discussion. If you want to see dining hours extended or even a Harambe memorial on campus, you can rest easy knowing that I’ll be working tirelessly to make it a reality.

Questions? Hit me up fam @bbr34

Derry Chen (dc784)

Hi,

I’m Derry Chen, and I hope to be one of your future Freshman Representatives. I believe that representatives should be the primary liaison between the student body and the campus administration. I plan to implement the changes that you, the students, desire at Cornell and beyond. Representatives have the ability to listen intently to students’ concerns and opinions, while picking the relevant issues to bring up during assembly and even to the administration. As Full Student Senate President back in high-school, I revived a highly-requested sports event, the “Powder-Puff” Football Game, that was previously banned by the school administration. At Cornell, I hope to implement the same kind of popular changes that I accomplished previously and continue my services to the student body. With your vote, I can be the voice of the Freshmen class.

Thank You

Edem Dzodzomenyo (ejd93)

Greetings Class of 2020! I am Edem (like edamame) Dzodzomenyo (no pronunciation guide available), an ILRie hailing from Columbus, Ohio, and I’m running as your representative to the Student Assembly!

With four years of experience in student government, I’m used to digesting many inputs and emerging with an effective, altruistic game plan. While SA addresses a wide range of policies, my primary concerns are to 1.) Diminish each student’s cost of living� namely classroom and residential costs� 2.) Implement small, effective changes 3.) Extend transparency of SA business and activities and expand students’ access to campus reform, working closely with the Communications Committee to collect your feedback and make informed policy decisions. The SA gets $7 million every 2years to support you!� you should know where this money is going!

With your support, I will dedicate my time on the SA to addressing your concerns, prioritizing the freshman voice, responsibly stewarding my leadership role, and ultimately working not just for, but with, our class in crafting policy alongside the rest of the SA. Feel free to message me @ejd93@Cornell.edu or on Facebook� I’d love to grab lunch or get to know you better so we can make this possible!

Eli Corning (emc292)

I am Eli, and you should want me to represent your interests on the Student Assembly. As the barefooted hippie in this race, I want to help define the new SA as a place of rationality, sustainability, and community values. It is your money that the SA operates with, and on your behalf that they craft new legislation. I offer the healthy skepticism and logical reasoning you deserve on SA, along with years of related experience. I will serve you on the Communications Committee, with utmost pride in bringing accountability and accessibility to this organization. Every undergraduate should not only be able to stay informed regarding their SA, but should have a direct line of communication and be encouraged to voice their opinions. If you cannot comfortably, successfully contact at least one of your SA reps on short notice, something is wrong. Seriously- call me: (607) 351–6254, or send an email: emc292@cornell.edu (no private server scandals here), or just stop by: Mews West 211C, the door is usually open. I will also serve on the Environmental Committee, applying knowledge from my own experiences and ongoing coursework in CALS to support environmental legislation, education and outreach. Always on duty- let’s have a conversation.

Haley Hills (hdh62)

Your freshmen representative, that’s the idea. I now know what I have to do — harness my drive and keep any personal email accounts away from the FBI. (Only kidding!)

My name is Haley Hills. I am currently pursuing Economics and Government. Back at my high school, I was the founder and president of the Model United Nations chapter, president of the Gold & Black Honor Society, and VP of Media for Social Studies Honor Society. I spent summers at Georgetown taking courses in political theory and finance. I also worked in Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s office during my school year and his election season.

As the oldest of six kids, I have had 18 years of experience as a leader. My plan is to bring that experience to Student Assembly in order to better the class of 2020. Here are some ways I intend to do that:

1. Air condition or alternatives during the early months for the sweaty residents because global warming is not slowing down anytime soon

2. Help bring more operations like Lyft here for the sake of saving you that uphill walk from Collegetown

3. Prioritize mental health initiatives

4. Get extended hours for the North Campus dining halls

If there is one thing I know, I will not be a placeholder. Thanks and vote Haley Hills!

Keenan Ashbrook (kta26)

Hi everyone! I am running for Freshman Representative based on a simple theme: engagement. For me, this means two things.

First, I will increase civic and community engagement among first-year students, both on campus and in the local area. Cornell provides a wealth of opportunities for student involvement in community service and civic affairs. I want to help freshmen discover these opportunities early.

I will increase awareness about opportunities provided by the Cornell Public Service Center and Engaged Cornell, and push for more programs designed to involve freshman in service. I will also ensure that clubs and organizations that promote service and civic life are adequately funded.

In addition, I want to engage freshmen with the Student Assembly on a deeper level. Representation is a two-way street, and I will make sure first-year students understand the importance of the SA, which controls upwards of seven million dollars and sets policies on student life. Students can and do make change at Cornell, so accessibility to your ideas and concerns will be my first priority.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me or find me on Facebook. I hope you will support me and my cause on election day!

Phoebe Lee (pyl23)

Hello! My name is Phoebe Lee and I would like to be your Freshman Representative for the upcoming year!

Although I have only been here for a short period of time, Cornell has been amazing. However, as the school year passes, there will be things that we, freshmen, think should be modified, added, or removed to help the student body more.

My main goal for this candidacy is to make sure every student is heard. Cornell is enormous and even though it may seem impossible for every student to be heard, I want to let you know that you have the opportunity to share your thoughts with me at any time.

When I was in high school, I had many ideas but never stepped forward because I was uncomfortable. I want to let you know that if you have any issues or implementations in mind, then I will always be here to listen. First and foremost, I am a friend, and I want to show you that I can be someone who listens and strives to help you as much as possible.

As your Freshman Representative, I want to effectively bridge the student body with the student assembly. I want to make sure that when I attend meetings, I am not only bringing my thoughts, but also all of your thoughts.

Thank you so much for reading this and remember: Vote Lee for Assembly!

Ryan Musto (rjm447)

Hello! My name is Ryan Musto. A little bit about myself, I am running for SA Freshman Representative, am a prospective Near Eastern Studies major, live in Donlon, am from Connecticut, and haven’t once seen or heard anything about Student Assembly� Seriously, what do they even do?

Well the simple fact of the matter is they don’t do enough and though one person can only do so much, maybe by bringing some common sense and strong community support to the table, I can actually provide real change for North Campus.

I’ll try to keep it succinct because I know there are many candidates that have many promises to make�as aspiring politicians often do. Well, in contrast, here is my simple six point plan�all of which can most certainly be achieved with reform, hard work, and some leadership: 1) improve the TCAT system. 2) Work with the Tompkins County legislature to get Uber. 3) Get more food options on North Campus that can be accessed with Cornell Card swipes. 4) Put out more trashcans and recycling bins. 5) Find ways to be more environmentally sustainable, especially since we are in a drought. 6) Try to bridge the divide between North Campus and the rest of the Cornell community.

If you agree, stand with me, because I stand with you.

Sara Gamal Eldin (sg997)

Hi there! I’m Sara and I’m from Cairo, Egypt. I like to bike, cook, read, and HAVE FUN. As you can probably tell by the fact that my picture’s on this webpage, I’m running for Freshman Representative for the class of 2020. I look forward to representing my classmates throughout the year! I’ve been in student Government for several years in my high school, so I’m used to representing my classmates and making changes to better my community. Living in Egypt almost my whole life, I’m sure that I’ll bring a fresh perspective to how issues should be tackled. There are many issues that I’m passionate about and want to work on. I plan to focus on counteracting the Ithaca drought by using water more sustainably. I also want to make a CU Snapchat mainly dedicated to events on campus so students know about the events that are happening in real-time. Many of us have lost hope in the regular elections, but we still have the chance to elect a Freshman Rep whose stances we agree with. I can’t promise to be the next Abraham Lincoln, but I CAN promise to be a great Freshman Rep who always listens to the class and never gives up. Feel free to come talk to me if you see me around, and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, or just chat!

Tristan Magloire (tam254)

HEY, CLASS OF 2020! We’ve finally made it to Cornell and there’s no better time to make a change than now! I’m Tristan Magloire, a Policy Analysis and Management major from West Palm Beach, Fl. My passions and interests lie in social justice activism, my Caribbean culture, and pretending that I’m a world-class gymnast because I watched the 2016 Olympics. I’m running for Freshman Representative because I want to give YOU a voice on what goes on here. If you feel that there needs to be more diversity, food, or tutoring on campus�vote Magloire! The Student Assembly is given millions of dollars each year and I want to amplify your voice and help spend the money in ways that benefit the concerns that you have. Part of my plan for this school year includes: advocating for a textbook rebate that refunds students that perform exceptionally well in their classes, providing easier access to the NYC campus and all the opportunities that are offered there, adding more work/study jobs that are specifically allotted for freshman, and many more that you can help influence! It’s our freshman year of college and I can’t wait to help us make the best of it. Always feel free to say hi on campus or friend me on Facebook! WANT MORE? VOTE MAGLOIRE!

School of Hotel Administration Representative

Bianca Di Mauro (bad75)

Hi everyone! My name is Bianca Di Mauro and I am a sophomore in the School of Hotel Administration. I have passions for the hospitality industry and in the future hope to be an entrepreneur. I am also a candidate for Hotel Representative on the Student Assembly.

COMMUNICATION: I want YOUR voice to be heard and create accessible outlets to share your opinions and concerns to the Student Assembly. ENGAGEMENT: Using my role on the Student Assembly, I will encourage the administration to support the inclusion of student input regarding curriculum and programs. It is important that we have a say in the hotelie experience. INNOVATION: We should all be able to shape our academic experience around each of our passions and future goals. I will fight for academic freedom and the access to resources on campus to make this possible. A project that I will take on is the initiative to improve alumni relations.

With the announcement of the School of Business, I will ensure that the hotel experience maintains its culture and distinct identity. With a voice on the Student Assembly, I hope to communicate these concerns to the administration.

Don’t forget to vote B. Di Mauro for Tomorrow!

Lee Lipschutz (ll695)

Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration is the most respected hospitality-focused business school in the world. The next few years will be essential, with the uncertainty surrounding the College of Business, in paving the road for the future of SHA. It’s on us to make sure that SHA has a strong, fully-representative voice in Cornell’s Student Assembly, and I hope to be that voice for us in Cornell’s Student Assembly.

My name is Lee Lipschutz and I am a junior here at SHA. Since I arrived as a transfer student on campus last year, I’ve strived to take full advantage of all SHA has to offer, and have tried to represent it well. I was chosen as an SHA Ambassador, am part of the Hotel School’s HLDP Program, work in the Statler Hotel, and served as a Supervisor on the Service Team for HEC ‘91. In addition, I was an Orientation Leader for new SHA students this summer, and am also a TA.

My involvement has given me the ability to interact with many different Hotelies at SHA who I’ve learned all want something a little bit different out of the Hotel School. As SHA representative, I look forward to accurately representing SHA and assuring that we continue down the path of being the most respected hospitality program in the world.

Transfer Representative

Erika Campo (esc86)

“Hello fellow transfers! My name is Erika Campo, and I would be honored to serve as your representative on the Student Assembly for this year! My passions include community development, human rights, and social justice. At my previous college I served on the executive board of the Student Government, where my team and I worked closely with administration to meet the needs of the student body which was comprised of about 17,000 students. I have also interned at the YMCA of Greater New York in NYC and have had the opportunity to serve my local community as an intern at my county’s homeless shelter.

As a transfer student from Bergen Community College, I understand that transfers have unique experiences and qualities to bring to the table. We offer a wealth of diverse perspectives within our classroom and community. Because of our unique experiences, we also have distinct needs. If elected, I would ensure that these needs are addressed so that together, we can create creative and impactful solutions for present and future transfer students. Transferring is not always an easy process; my goal is to facilitate the transition and help build a stronger community for transfers and make sure we are always part of the conversation.

Gabrielle Wells (gaw92)

During my senior year of high school, when I was highly anxious and excited about embarking on my college journey, I never imagined I would be a transfer. My vision was to get into the college of my dreams, make several friends during my freshman year, go to football tailgates, and have the traditional college experience. When I thought of the word “transfer,” I thought it described a student who was not “actually” a part of their university. The word made me think of the students who did not belong, and who experienced an awkward transition into a new environment. However, when I arrived at Cornell this fall, I quickly realized how common it was to be a transfer here. Whether we found our way here for a new experience, partake in a family legacy, or even just from the transfer option, it is a special community. As the transfer representative, I hope my classmates will allow me the opportunity to serve as the voice on Student Assembly for this special community. With a vision to improve the relations between transfers and non-transfers on campus, vote for me, and I will help be a part of the solution.

Harrison Katapodis (hjk72)

I want to be the Student Assembly Transfer Representative this year because I truly care about my classmates and feel that I will best represent their interests both inside and outside of the classroom. One of the reasons I was elected class president for two years in high school was because I encouraged peers to talk to each other and welcomed learning more about their individual stories. This story is especially interesting for transfer students because not only is the student body bringing their life experiences from their respective hometowns, but also the recent experiences gained from living on a different campus. As a member of AEM (which has a sizable transfer population), I have worked to develop a direct line of communication with a number of transfer students that will allow me to be sensitive to students’ needs. I will not bore you by sharing a long list of unrealistic promises like others might do, but instead, I want to share that I will represent your interests with great care. More importantly, you are more than welcome to reach out to me (whether in person or via social media) during the year to talk about things other than student assembly. I hope whoever reads this has a wonderful semester.

Ke Ma (km749)

Hi! My name is Ke Ma, and I am a sophomore transfer from NYU. I am currently studying government and economics in the College of Arts and Science.

As the Transfer Representative, I will work so that transfer students have the most enriching experience possible. Personally, one of my biggest hurdles so far has been the organization of the career and club fairs. I’m sure you remember how hectic those two experiences were. As Transfer Rep, I will ensure that events like these are properly organized. In addition, I will listen to all of your concerns. I will make myself available so our voices can be heard individually. Even though we are new to campus, we have a very different perspective than freshmen and I find that valuable. We have seen how things are done in other campuses, and we can take the best from our experiences and incorporate it here. No one else on campus has this ability. I have held many leadership positions in the past, and I will work tirelessly to represent you. I truly want to make our experience at Cornell meaningful.

Need I say more? The Ke to success is Ke Ma.

Neeraj “Naj” Jaisinghani (nj263)

Hi! My name is Neeraj ‘Naj’ Jaisinghani and I am hoping to represent your voice in the Cornell Student Assembly. I am a sophomore from Los Angeles, California majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations.

Having honed my skills in communication and teamwork through my experiences in speech, debate, and mock trial, I am prepared to listen to your suggestions and take action on your behalf.

Why isn’t there a club fest for transfer students? If a club has a freshman representative position, shouldn’t there be one for transfers? Dining hall to-go options? Maybe extending dining hall hours on West? What about more water bottle refill stations across campus and in dorms? Couldn’t the housing process for transfer students be improved? One official Facebook transfer group? A universal list serve for all transfers to stay informed about the many events and opportunities on campus that we sometimes don’t know about until they’re already over?

Your representation in the Student Assembly is my priority. If you want to talk more about my platform, have any suggestions for what you want to see implemented in the upcoming year, or we just haven’t met yet, please send me an email at nj263 or add me on Facebook!.

Undergraduate Representative to University Assembly

Paul Russell (pjr93)

As a former student assembly representative and a current member of a UA committee, I know how this assembly works. My interactions with the UA have shown me that it has a few issues that need to be addressed. First of all, the UA doesn’t have much of a relationship with undergraduate campus organizations seeking to make changes to campus policies at all. Many student groups who aim to push forth some sort of initiative begin by seeking out an SA resolution even though the connections and influence associated with the UA may be better suited to help insure lasting change. This is because the current student representatives on the UA are either already too busy with their work outside the UA to take the time to expand it’s reach, or are not engaged in enough of the outside communities to help bring their voices to the table. I aim to change that.

Sarah Park (sp776)

Hi Cornell!

I’m Sarah Park, I’m a freshman in ILR, and I’d love to be a student voice on the University Assembly

Some background info about me: In high school was class president, NJ Key Club District Secretary, and a nationally-ranked debater.

Simply put, I love Cornell. I want to make your voice my priority and be able to represent this body of such diverse individuals.

If elected, I aim to:

Increase Democratization and Transparency of SA - make resolutions much more accessible for students, change the referendum policy so it’s actually possible for students to have some influence without being in SA

Maintain the Undergrad Voice Within Shared Governance - make sure student voices are heard and encourage open forums and comments, especially for students of diverse backgrounds

Promote Active Communication and Unity - ensure that all concerns are brought to the table to be discussed and support open programs and discussions

Although I can’t promise a moped for everyone to brave the slopes, I can promise to do my best to make every voice heard within SA and UA.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to Facebook message me or email me at sp776@cornell.edu! I can’t wait to get to know you!

Zach Schmetterer (zls5)

Zack’s Plan to Get Cornell Back on Track:

Reverse University Financialization:

If elected, I will work to institute reforms to combat special interests and the influence of the financial sector, which have resulted in increases in overall borrowing and the cost of debt service on a per-student basis at Cornell. With debt service costs up 200% from the year 2000, we are in a crisis as Cornell has the highest debt to endowment ratio out of the Ivy League and other selective colleges.

Curb Unsustainable Spending:

Tuition costs are up 368% since 1990 compared to only 90% at other four-year nonprofit colleges. I will work to implement cost controls and freeze additional non-academic hiring, which increased 30% in the same period. We can achieve quality without crushing debt.

Prioritize Subverted Student Interests:

The administration has repeatedly deserted its mission and the interests of its students as in the cases of preventing certain international students from interning in the United States, rigidly opposing fossil fuel divestment, and implementing inequitable fees. I will hold the administration accountable to put its students first.

Undesignated Representative at Large

Ellie Reppy (err79)

Hello! My name is Ellie Reppy, I am a senior studying Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology and I am running for Undesignated Representative At-Large. Last year I served as the President of Haven: the LGBTQ+ Student Union. I am running for the Student Assembly because I would like to bring the experience that I gained as the president of a byline-funded organization to the Student Assembly. In my experience it can be hard for communities to reach out to the Student Assembly. I would like to work to bring a multitude of community interests to the attention of the SA to increase support for the stakeholders. If elected, I would reach out to campus communities and meet with them to discuss initiatives that could be accomplished within the framework of the Student Assembly. I would like to continue key conversations that the university has been having over the past couple years, including returning to Need-blind admissions for international students and the $350 Health Fee. I plan to work to increase participation in the Student Assemblies referendum process. This an area where all students can get involved and have their voices heard on campus issues. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you — Ellie.

Joseph Anderson (jsa94)

Hi! My name is Joseph Anderson and I am running to be one of your Undesignated Undergraduate at-Large Representatives. I am currently a first year student in the ILR School. I have 5 broad goals I want to accomplish this year.

1. I want to expand the amount of representatives on the Student Assembly, by adding more undesignated positions. I also want to split the minority at-large positions into representatives for each minority group on campus. I also, want to make sure that every student representative has at least one hour a week where they can meet with constituents to talk about problems that they have on campus.

2. I want to decrease the cost of Grab & Go items. Students pay absurdly high costs for very simple items like salads, celery, and pita breads. I want to work with dining services to decrease that cost.

3. I also want to establish a student to student textbook marketplace, which will decrease costs of textbooks, and give money back to students.

4. I want to increase the number of conversations between students on issues that need to be addressed on campus. Students need to be able to talk about diversity, sexual assault, and other issues in understanding environments, so that we can identify any problems.

Jung Won Kim (jwk235)

Hey everyone! My name is Jung Won Kim and I am running to be your Undesignated Rep. to bring about much needed changes that will help Cornell reach its full potential. Last semester I served as the A&S Rep, and I promised practical changes that will have direct results to improve our Cornell experience.

First, I succeeded in passing a Resolution that made syllabi of all courses available to the public before pre-enroll, so students have access to more info. Second, I succeeded in starting an alumni mentor program for A&S students so we can have access to alumni for advice as well as intern and career opportunities.

Now as Undesignated Rep, I aim to create alumni mentor programs for Colleges within Cornell that doesn’t have one, such as the Engineering, ILR, HumEc, and AAP schools, so that all of us can have an easier time talking to alumni and getting career help.

Second, I wish to open up dining halls during the shorter breaks. While many students go back home, a lot remain on campus. Cornell forces students to pay for food in BRBs or cash, which is wrong since the full amount for meal plans has already been paid.

These are practical goals that I can certainly reach with your votes. Thank you and vote Jung Won Kim!

Withdrawn Candidates

Wendy Maga�a (wm289)

Ishan Sharma (iks9)