Fall 2009 Election

Platforms for the Class of 2013 Senator candidates are listed below.  Platforms for Class of 2013 Class Council candidates can be found on the Wilson Commons Student Activities page.  Voting will open at 10:00 am on Sept. 14, and close at 10:00 pm on Sept. 15, and ballots will be available online at sa.rochester.edu, or in Wilson Commons.  Hall Council platforms can be found in the lobby or service desk of your residence hall, and are separate from the SA digital voting system.

You may vote for up to 4 of the fourteen candidates below:

Any questions about elections should be directed to the Elections Chairperson, Sumya Hasan.

Platforms

Asad ArastuAsad Arastu

Despite this economy I propose a profitable business investment that brings you hope and success.  After careful research I have faith that I have the most lucrative stock for you.  The stock I propose to you is called AHA  (Asad H. Arastu). A stock that will never go down and will continue to bring you happiness and is controlled by you, the people! I will guarantee that if you are to invest in AHA today, you will be more than satisfied.  You will see Rochester changing before your eyes in ways that you would never have imagined, whether it be more access to a greater variety of foods, smoother scheduling, more buses to Target and Wegmans, or upgrading facilities on campus.  I want to be the voice for the freshman class and forge relationships with students and faculty to facilitate ideas, concerns, or complaints.  I served as the president of student government in high school and was a member for four years, as well as president of the Red Cross and FBLA clubs. Think of voting for me like investing in a stock, instead of IBM or AOL its time to look for a new three letters in your life.  Think AHA.  You want someone with ambition, honesty, and achievements.  If you vote for me, I guarantee that I will push Rochester to its limits; your investment will sky rocket, there are no market crashes when you put your trust in me.  I want to take programs like the City Cycles program and Walk for Facilities to new heights and really get the entire campus on board to make a true impact on our community. I assure you that I will dedicate my time and make Rochester your home away from home. Vote ASAD ARASTU for Senate and Class Council!

Jonathan RichardsonJonathan Richardson

Hello, my name is Jonathan Richardson and I believe I should be elected into the University of Rochester’s Student Association Senate. I am from Syracuse, New York and live over in Gilbert 2. As everyone knows, there are many freshmen in this year’s class and of course not everyone knows everyone. There are still many people I see out wandering the quad or inside of Danforth and Douglass that I still haven’t yet to meet. This is the time of the year to meet as many people as possible within our Rochester community, and make this place feel like our new home. I believe I can help you all feel like you are at your new home.
My past experience involving in student government goes back to middle school when I was elected into my school’s student council. Every year since then I have been elected into Student Council and my senior year I serve as an officer helping bring together my school community. I can do the same here if I am elected. I have lots of experience planning events and coming up with fun ideas that cater to the whole class. I am a rational person that listens to the smallest voice and giving one for those who need one. I truly expect to work to the best of my ability to make this year and hopefully the years to come as well amazing and memorable for every freshman of Rochester.
I strongly urge all of you to vote for me for this position and I honestly will not let you down. I have been a leader for my class before and I plan to do it again if I am elected for you Student Association Senate.

Calvin YoonCalvin Yoon

Who is Calvin Yoon? In high school I have started multiple clubs and organized various events. One of the many roles of the SA Senate is to prepare the ground for these organizations to occur. As SA Senate, we can work with the administration to help improve, for example, the quality of the food, the quality of the residence halls, and genuinely, the quality of your college experience. I enjoy meeting people and making new friends. I am willing to listen to anyone, their stories, and their complaints. I am open to ideas and suggestions and I appreciate honesty. We all know that there are people who would want to run for their own self-accomplishments. However, I am not running for the title. I am a Biomedical Engineer major, not a politician. I do not aspire to have a career in politics. I do not simply want attention. I am running because I care for the well being of other people: peers, upperclassmen, and faculty alike. Freshmen, I know that college is a new experience for all of us. College is something we looked forward to, and now we’re here. You should be enjoying every second of your experience. I’m not going to enter office pretending that I already know what you want. I know that you need a voice, and I intend to fulfill the purpose of a democratically elected official. I’m going to do what you want me to do. I’m going to give you a voice. With your support, I, as a member of the SA Senate, can strive to help make that happen.

ShubhoShubho Bhattacharyya

Hello, my name is Shubho Bhattacharyya and I am interested in becoming Students’ Association Senator for the class of 2013. Before I tell you why you should vote for me, ill give you a little personal information. I am from Alaska, and I really love being outdoors. I am a HUGE fan of music but I have a hard time keeping my musical tastes constant. At the moment my favorite artists are Nas, and Ratatat. I am always up for trying new things.
Lets work together to make this school a better place. A vote for Shubho is a vote to GET STUFF DONE.

Brandon PodymaBrandon Podyma

My name is Brandon Podyma, and I am a freshman living in Holli 329 of Sue B. I’m running not for the benefits of this post, but rather for the opportunity to give all I can to the UR. I strongly believe that the multitude of talents and interests possessed by every student needs to be embraced and emphasized. Come to me with your ideas, come to me with your problems, and I will do my very best to resolve any issue. My background ranges from organizing events such as a dodge ball tournament, connecting with administrators on student policies, being a leader in my high school, as well as being class valedictorian. My motivation is the character and attributes of all the people that I have met in these first few weeks, and my goals in this position are to give back in every way that I can, and to repay the generosity of all those we have met along our path. If you decide to cast your vote for me it will be a vote worthy of the reputation of the UR. And if you don’t, I will continue to work, as I am sure we all will, towards making the University of Rochester ever better. Thank you.

No Photo AvailableAnish Patel

Hello fellow classmates of the Class of 2013. My name is Anish Patel and I am running for a position on the Senate. To talk a little bit about myself, I am from a typical town in New Jersey, just fifteen minutes from NYC. I enjoy watching movies, playing all types of sports, and basically just hanging out with my friends. I wanted to attend a college with a strong science curriculum because I have the intention of majoring in Chemistry and I found the university to not only fit the criteria but provide me with so much more. Each and every day of the two weeks of my time at Rochester has been a new and exciting experience. I was able to start classes, but also enjoy myself, meet so countless people, and make so many friendships. As I introduced myself from one person to another, I began to realize that these individuals were going to be the people I was going to share the next four years with. The ups, the downs, and the exciting moments, we were all going to go through it as the Class of 2013 here at Rochester. As a member of the Senate, I want to be able to make the journey for my classmates as easy, enjoyable, and fun as possible. I have been part of the student council in my high school in previous years, so I do have the experience. I understand the responsibilities that I will have if elected, and I will work to the best of my ability to fulfill my duties as a council member.

Danielle ChizDanielle Chiz

am Danielle Chiz and I would like to be one of the four freshman class Senators in the Students’ Association for 2009. The Students’ Association has direct influence on the clubs, services and student life around campus. I, myself enjoy taking advantage of all that the campus has to offer including music groups, weekend activities and much more. I look forward to coming up with new and creative ideas for this upcoming year and believe that I can greatly contribute to the work that the Students’ Association does. I would be a great representative of what the freshman class wants when it comes to all of these areas. I am open to communicating with the class of 2013 for ideas, suggestions and anything else you feel needs to be addressed through SA. I have met many people so far but would like to branch out and make sure that all of 2013 has a say in their student life. I am organized, responsible, creative and love to be involved. You can be sure I will be dedicated to keeping events and activities always available and enjoyable. I work well with others and collaborate to form the best ideas and plans for our class this year. I want to make sure that student life at Rochester is as exciting and eventful as it can and should be. I hope you choose to cast your vote for me in this upcoming election and would be privileged to represent the class of 2013.

Rohini BhatiaRohini Bhatia

“Rochester?” My friends had warned me about the cold here, but they didn’t realize that I would be having a blast with the hottest people ever! My name is Rohini Bhatia and I’ve got passion, drive, and a love for our school and city –something I hope will be enough to make this year absolutely incredible. As a Senator for the fabulous class of 2013, I hope to not only represent the voices of the freshmen class but to take an active role in gathering ideas to pump up the spirit and enthusiasm on campus.
We’re finally college students! And we’ve been bombarded with the sudden realization that we’re living, eating, and sleeping in an entirely new environment. I would love to get involved in making the facilities that we use (everything from dining to transportation to residential life) as convenient and accessible as possible. I want to be able to put into effect the innovative ideas that every single person on campus has floating around in their minds. These are the ideas that keep a student government motivated and that keeps our campus fresh.
But it’s not enough to just reiterate ideas; one must be innovative themselves. I’ve planned dances and canned food drives, but I’ve also started something new and taken risks. Riskiness and creativity along with sensibility and practicality is the perfect recipe of a senate candidate. If I have yet to meet you, and you see me around, please come say hi! Take a chance and vote for me for 2013 Senator –I assure you, you will not be disappointed!

Spencer KlubbenSpencer Klubben

Hello, my name is Spencer Klubben and I am running for a Senate seat to represent the class of 2013.  Vote for me if you would like to have a voice in the senate that listens to his fellow classmates, the faculty, and the other senate members.  I believe in communication. This being said, if voted in, I would be open to new suggestions and ideas from anyone from the class of 2013 and bring important topics to the floor and do my best in representing the best class here at the University of Rochester.  Go class of 2013.  Vote for Spencer Klubben. Thank you.

Chizoba UmesiChizoba Umesi

VOTE FOR CHI!
Hello fellow members of the class of 2013! My name is Chizoba Umesi and I am from Lansing IL, just six miles south of Chicago. I am running for the Class of 2013 Senate and I want you to vote for me because I will represent your interest fully. Assertively, I will bring diverse ideas into the senate that will benefit you and I, and help make this year truly the genesis of the best years of our lives. Having served as president of numerous clubs in and out of high school, I come to the University of Rochester with lots of experience with leadership, which are necessary for this position.

No Photo AvailableJustin Lukoff

College is a world of new opportunities. There is so much to do and so many things to experience. We have so much to explore and so much to discover in our next few years here at the U of R. My plans are not only to bring the class together, but to ensure that every person gets close to their wishes. People should vote on a person that they can depend on and someone they can also look up to. I will do my outright most to make sure that people walk around on a daily basis with a huge grin across their face. And yes, the winter will not be easy here, so having someone to plan and brainstorm events is vital, especially when you think it is too cold to do anything! I not only want to be apart of an enthusiastic committee, but I want to exercise my creativity to ensure that everyone is satisfied! I will be open to everyone's thoughts, and understanding if something goes wrong. The Class of 2013 is destined for greatness, and I assure you I will put in 110% in everything I do! Go Rochester and be ready to start your college life right now! Don't be a goof-off!, VOTE FOR LUKOFF

Kyle CoapmanKyle Coapman

My name is Kyle Coapman and I am campaigning for a senate seat in the Student’s Association.  I am unresolved on what major I will declare; however, I have a strong interest in the fields of psychology, economics, mathematics, and physics.  I love to play all different sports from lacrosse to Frisbee.  The music I listen to most is by an artist named Buckethead (if you’ve played Guitar Hero II, you are familiar) and favorite movie without a doubt is Gladiator.  In terms of service, I have been on two mission trips to the Dominican.  Domestically, I have helped on eagle projects, run sound board for church events, and participated in my high school’s service club.
First off, I would like to state that a passion of mine is serving others.  Thus, as a senator, if you will, I would like to make your life on campus a better experience.  I have held previous leadership positions in high school, as a peer leader, youth leader in my church, and as an intramural captain.  This freshman year has the potential to be an incredible experience for all.  One of my ideas for a class event would be a campus wide game of manhunt, capture the flag, or a huge Nerf battle.  Also, I think a large service project where everyone is doing something different would be an awesome way to meet new friends as well as benefit the Rochester community.  These are just a couple of the fun activities the class of 2013 would be able to do this upcoming year.  In conclusion, I ask you for your vote for freshman senator.

No Photo AvailablePhilip Sellstrom

No platform submitted.

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No Photo AvailableNicholas Lewandowski

No platform submitted.