UPDATED 3/23/2021 at 11 AM: Isaiah Kelly was added as a write-in canddiate under the Director of Public Relations section.
UPDATED 3/22/2021 at 5 PM: Due to issues with the online ballots that are being fixed, the voting period has been extended to March 25 at 12 PM. Corrected ballots will be resent out tonight (March 22).
From March 22 to 24 students will be able to vote in Student Association elections and the bi-yearly SA referendum vote. Students will begin receiving emails detailing how to vote online starting March 22.
The SA referendum vote is the bi-yearly opportunity for students to decide whether or not they’d like to vote “yes” to keeping student activity fees mandatory. Student activity fees fund SA’s budget, supporting things like RTS bus services and all SA funded clubs and clubs sports.
SA presented a slide show to students detailing why they should vote “yes” for the referendum, this particular slide detailed what the SA budget funds with mandatory student activity fees. (Photo Courtesy of Geneseo SA).
Here are some statements from the candidates running for SA executive board:
SA President - Laura Benjamin
“My name is Laura Benjamin, I use she/her pronouns, I am a junior political science and history double major with a U.S conflict studies minor [and I’m from] Rochester, NY. I am running for SA President because I want to continue the work that has been done this year to advocate for students and clubs on this campus. I would like to use my final year at Geneseo to continue giving back to an organization and community that has given me so much.”
SA Vice President - Sabrina Schumacher
“My name is Sabrina Schumacher (she/her), I am a mathematics education major with a Spanish minor from Long Island NY and I am running for SA Vice President. I chose to run for SAVP because I am a huge supporter of advocacy. My goal is that every Geneseo student enjoys their time here and has an opportunity to be successful. If elected I plan to address and work to improve some of the main issues brought up by students. [These] issues include but are not limited to, lack of communication between the college and student body, issues regarding dietary restrictions and CAS, popular conflicts between students and professors and the [college’s] reactions to bias-related incidents. I hope to be working with you all soon and don't forget to vote yes for mandatory student fees in the referendum!”
Director of Business Affairs - Tyler Grasso
“I think that the Student Association is incredibly important to the campus community, and I appreciate all of the work that the SA [executive] members do for the student body. I'm running for Director of Business Affairs because I want to be part of that effort to help students. I think that I'm well-prepared for the position, and my past experiences in other organizations will allow me to have a positive impact as DBA. The organizations that I've been involved in have really shaped my Geneseo experience, and in return, I'd like to put my time towards working with all of the different SA-funded organizations to help them accomplish their goals.”
Director of Academic Affairs - Tessa Hensler
“My name is Tessa Hensler and I’m running for Director of Academic Affairs! I have been interested in running for this position since serving as the Academic Affairs Committee’s secretary my sophomore year. I hope, as DAA (should I be elected), to advocate for all students on behalf of their academic needs. I believe in fostering healthy professor/student relationships outside of the classroom, as well as making sure every classroom (virtual or in-person) is a safe and inclusive environment for all students.”
Director of Student Programming - Renee Allen
“I am running for Director of Student Programming because I enjoy being able to help other students plan events. It’s so much fun to see different people at each [event] and be able to create connections and see familiar faces. Each board member also brings something different to the plate so it is fun to get to know them and their strengths.“
Director of Inter-Residence Affairs - Jacob Reid (Write-in candidate)
“I am running because I am passionate about SA, but especially with how it concerns our residence halls! I have worked with IRC in at least some capacity literally since the beginning of my Geneseo career! I was president of my hall council my first year, a board member for part of my second year and in my current position as NRHH President, I continue to work closely with IRC… and have gotten to foster relationships with some of our IRC's regional friends at other institutions. I have also worked on or collaborated with a host of the other branches of SA and have worked with ResLife as an RA and now an ARD since my second year, so I love the opportunity to help expand the relationship between SA and our residence halls! In summary, I have been lucky enough to learn and grow from so many people through SA and IRC, so I am running to give back to an organization and community that has given so much to me and hopefully continue its impressive legacy!”
Director of Student Affairs - Margaret (Maggie) Hewitt
Candidate could not be reached for statement.
Director of Student Affairs & Diversity - Vacant
Contact sa@geneseo.edu to learn more about how to run for the position.
Director of Public Relations - Isaiah Kelly (Write-in candidate)
“My name is Isaiah Kelly (he/him) and I’m running for Director of Public Relations! I’m a junior Communication & Political Science double major with a Sociology minor and have a passion to serve the public. I believe Student Association has a duty to bridge the gap between students and our administration, and I know social media is an incredibly convenient way to gauge students in terms of their opinions, ideas or complaints and direct that feedback to who needs to hear it. One thing I would like to adjust is the amount of engagement SA’s social media pages have. Whether that be through surveys, polls or threads of questions, I want to make Student Association’s outreach more transparent, accessible and reliable.”