Candidates

Hi, my name is Yein, and I’m a freshman running for Student Government Senate. I want to make our campus a more comfortable, connected, and student-friendly place for all of us. One of my main priorities is improving access to the tunnel system. Rochester winters can be harsh, and the tunnels should make it easy to get around. But right now, entrances are hidden and confusing, especially for new students. I will push for clearer signs and directions so everyone can use this resource without stress. Beyond tunnels, I’ll advocate for more study spaces, better dining variety, and stronger awareness of campus resources. As a senator, I will bring the perspective of a freshman who understands what it’s like to adjust to life at Rochester. I will listen to your concerns, bring them to the table, and fight for solutions that improve daily student life. Stay warm. Stay connected. Vote Yein for Senator.

I am running for a Class Senate position because I believe student government should be the bridge between our shared experiences and real change on campus. The Senate exists to create, debate, and vote on legislation that directly impacts our student environment, and I want to be an active voice in ensuring our concerns are not only heard but transformed into meaningful action. My motivation comes from a desire to foster a community where every student feels supported, engaged, and empowered. Whether it’s improving access to academic resources, enhancing campus facilities, or promoting inclusivity in our social spaces, I see the Senate as the place where solutions can be developed and implemented. I am eager to collaborate with fellow senators and work closely with students to advocate for legislation that reflects the needs and priorities of our class. I believe leadership is not just about having ideas but also about listening. If elected, I will prioritize open communication by regularly seeking input, hosting feedback sessions, and making myself approachable to any student who wants their perspective represented. I want to use this role to strengthen transparency between the student body and the decisions being made on their behalf. Ultimately, my goal is to leave our campus better than I found it by making it more inclusive, more responsive, and more connected. By serving in the Senate, I hope to help create an environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

By running for the Class of 2029’s Senate position, I hope to become your voice that paves the way for direct change here on campus. I aim to lead the charge on campus-related challenges, advocate for students’ concerns and help them get the platform to contribute to our campus. By using the skills I gained from leading my high school’s Student Council’s technology committee and class representatives, as well as my powerful communication skills, will to listen and indomitable resolve, I plan to devote my time to serve you and our campus with these missions as my priority: – Listen to my peers’ feedback and concerns on campus-related issues. I aim to keep my ears open for ideas that will push our campus towards betterment for the years to come. – Act with diligence and equality, by giving all input I receive equal importance and urgency, and making sure that consistent progress is made towards implementing solutions. – Give students a platform to contribute directly to campus, by acting as an outlet to advocate for ideas and suggest change. – Ensure that amenities and resources are available and accessible for any demographic. I want to use my position to push my peers towards success. It would be an honor to serve our campus and propel your contributions to our Ever Better community as the Class of 2029’s Senate.

Hey, fellow class of 2029. I want to serve as a voice for our class and make sure every student feels heard and is represented. I believe an important aspect of being a senator is listening first. I want to understand how everyone is feeling on campus. I want to know what is and isn’t working for you. I want to know everyone’s ideas on how we can improve campus life. I promise that I am easy to approach and talk to. I really enjoy hearing everyone’s feedback, and I always walk away with something new to think about. My previous work as a counselor and a tutor has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of clear communication. These experiences have taught me to listen carefully and find solutions that work for everyone. These are some of the qualities I would bring to the Senate. If elected, I’ll work to make the Student Association easier to reach and more responsive. I would ensure student fees are used responsibly, and I would advocate for policies that will improve student life. Above all, I’ll make sure your voices are heard.

My name is Derrick Chen, and I am a first-year biology student on the pre-med track, running to join the SA Senate. I’m excited to make a positive impact during my time here at the University of Rochester. Here are some of the goals I hope to accomplish over the next four years: Improving the Dining Hall Experience: I want to work with dining services to make meals more appetizing, nutritious, and consistent. Renovating Lounges: Many of our student lounges feel outdated and underused. I plan to advocate for renovations to create more comfortable, inviting spaces where students can relax and study. Make Printing Free Again: Printing is essential for many classes, yet it can be expensive. I will advocate for free printing. Responsible Budget Management: I will prioritize transparency and fairness in managing student funds, making sure the budget supports initiatives that truly benefit the campus community. Expand Pre-Graduate School Resources: As a pre-med student, I know how important it is to have access to resources like advising, workshops, and test prep. I will work to make these resources easier to find and use for everyone preparing for grad school. I’m eager to listen, represent your concerns, and work hard to improve student life at Rochester.

Hi my name is Jason Sosa, Im running for both senate and council with my overall goal being that everyone here at Rochester can have their voice heard and have a community that backs them. For Senate I’d like to start working toward reforming the protest policy here, ensuring students can their voices heard without needing permission to do so. Id want to ensure that there is transparency between the student body and association, meaning that students know what is possible when combining student voice and ambition. Student recognition is my main policy, I want to ensure that everyone who has a concern can be heard and if possible have actual policy that changes or supports their needs.

Tired of constantly going to Danforth, only to find it closed? Depressed that you still haven’t gotten your books, even though they were supposed to be included with UR Essentials? Upset that your registration didn’t quite work out the way you wanted it to? You are not alone. Andrew Fogelson has noticed these concerns and has a plan to address them. A product of a 4,000 student high school, Andrew knows that it is not always easy to enact the simplest changes to improve student life. Originally from Chicago, Andrew brings the friendliness of the Midwest and a get-things-done attitude. In fighting on behalf of you and your friends, he is not going to wait three months for another ineffective app to solve the problem. Persistence is his bread and butter. His record of consistently demonstrating leadership in high school in roles such as Student Ambassadors President, Serve with Dignity – Senior Service Project Leader, and the CEO/Founder of Sunrise Sandwiches has prepared him for this moment too. He is now a proud Eco-rep and advocate for sustainability on campus this school year. Through the pillars of Inclusion, Efficiency, and (academic/athletic) Excellence, Andrew will lead the effort in improving your everyday life on campus. Andrew believes that if you are paying thousands of dollars, everything working is just the minimum expectation. The dream work starts now, Win with Fogelson!

Hello ladies and gentlemen. My name is Benjamin Hu and I am running for the position of the Senate. As a candidate for Senate, I have many goals and aspirations. However, my number one goal is to give the people what they want. Any problems or suggestions, no matter how miniscule, as soon as its brought to my attention, I will do my best to create reforms and pass legislations to address any concerns or wants. I hope to improve student life on campus and overall create a unforgettable undergraduate experience. The Senate is nothing without its people, thus, I need you to help me, either though suggestions, support, or even saying hi. I hope to have a great college experience with you all and make University of Rochester greater.

Our school’s motto Meliora means “ever better,” and it calls us to keep improving. With a last name like Better, I have no choice but to take that literally. I’m running for Senate to make our government more open, more responsive, and more connected to the people it represents. Too often, decisions are made without enough student input. I want to change that by giving people real opportunities to share their ideas; whether it’s through quick surveys, a simple email, or just stopping me in the hallway to talk about what’s on your mind, I want to hear what your problems are. If elected, I don’t plan to just sit around and vote on other people’s legislation. I want to be active in creating legislation that students actually want, addressing everything from dining hall options to campus events to the everyday issues that matter most. This shouldn’t be a student government for the student government. It should be a student government for the students. Together, let’s make our campus not just better… but ever Better.

I strive to create an inclusive, supportive society driven by empathy, because I believe a connected community is beneficial to everyone. If elected, I am committed to: 1) Enhancing Discrimination and Harassment Prevention: Building on lessons from recent high-profile cases, I will advocate for clearer reporting processes and support systems to bring a safer and more supportive environment on both the River Campus and Eastman; I will push for greater transparency and accountability for the PADH, Title IX, and Student Sexual Misconduct policies. 2) Strengthening Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: While our present DEI programs are robust and prove UofR’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, there is a lack of specific metrics that guide the effectiveness of these programs; I will push for measurable data and regular reporting to enhance and build DEI initiatives, ensuring that underrepresented students are valued and supported on all aspects on campus. 3) Supporting Graduate Students: Addressing the “demands for better pay” for graduate students at UofR, I will advocate for fair compensation and improving working conditions; In doing so I will strengthen the connection between graduates and undergraduates to improve our overall learning environment. I am committed to learning, listening, and leading with empathy to create a long lasting positive impact for everyone here on campus.

As a member of the SA Senate, I feel it is my responsibility to facilitate change on issues that I see as being integral to the student experience here at the U of R. In order to foster a more equitable and vibrant community of student involvement across campus, I find it necessary to provide equal opportunity to all our wonderful school has to offer. On campus, I find multiple small inconveniences, such as the obligatory $50 practice room fee and non-exempt printing fee to name a few. As senator, I will advocate for free use of what should be fundamentally available basic campus resources and seek to establish a clear line of communication between student and facilitator.

Representation matters. As a first-generation college student and proud member of the University of Rochester community, I know how important it is to have leaders who truly reflect the voices of their peers. Too often, students feel unheard or disconnected from the decisions that impact their daily lives. I’m running for Senate because I want to bridge that gap. I want to amplify the voices of students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and ensure our concerns drive real change. One of my main priorities is transparency. Students deserve to know where their money goes. That’s why I propose creating simplified infographics of club budget approvals and breaking spending into clear categories so everyone can see how fees are being used. Along with this, I’ll push for faster funding response times for smaller organizations and host open Q&A sessions where anyone can directly ask about funding decisions. I also want to uplift newer and smaller clubs by working with SAAC to promote them through weekly recommendations. Student organizations are the heart of our campus, and they all deserve visibility, no matter their size. As a senator, I will remain committed to equity in decision-making, advocating for fair resource allocation, and ensuring student voices are at the center of every conversation. As a member of the Senate, I, Dmitry Simon, will strive to remain committed to uplifting the Rochester student body’s voice. Thank you for your consideration. Fueled by Ambition. Backed by You.

Hi Rochester I’m Jonathan, and I’m running for Senate because I don’t believe in student government that just fills seats, I believe in student government that shakes things up and actually delivers for students.

Back in high school, I served as Student Government President and Vice President, where I launched scholarships for low-income students and built projects to support underrepresented groups. That work showed me something important: change only happens when leaders listen, take students seriously, and then actually do the work to fix problems. That’s exactly the energy I want to bring to the Senate here in Rochester.

My plan is simple but focused. First, I’ll cut student costs by pushing to reduce hidden fees for printing, course materials, and clubs, so everyone can afford to get involved. Second, I’ll expand scholarships advocating for new financial aid and diversity-based opportunities for first-gen, low-income, and underrepresented students. Third, I’ll fix housing and dining issues by creating open forums where students raise concerns directly, and then pressing administration for solutions that work. Fourth, I’ll improve campus life by working with student groups to fund more cultural events, social activities, and mental health programs that reflect the diversity of Rochester. Finally, I’ll commit to real advocacy with real action tracking student concerns and reporting back with concrete results.

I’ve been a leader in every space I’ve stepped into, as a nonprofit founder, researcher, debater, and student government advocate and I’m ready to fight for you. Let’s make our government responsive, transparent, and built for all of us.

Vote for a senator who will diligently listen to every voice and every complaint, no matter how big or small. Working for the Senate, I want to promote open and rational discourse among the student body. I understand that advocacy can be difficult, but I want to provide the means for every student to find their voice on our campus. As senator, I plan to address the following problems… First, I want to give our students the means to enact safe, rational and effective protest. Many students at our university are scared to make their voices heard, afraid of being censored and condemned for their advocacy and protest. Past incidents have set a negative precedent for protest at our school, a precedent that I plan to rectify. Second, I want to give a voice to our minority and international communities, groups who notoriously struggle to find their footing in our university. Beyond sharing our cultures and food, we should be able to share unique cultural struggles and lived experiences. Finally, I want to take steps to increase student participation within the Senate. I want to take better surveys and expand senate outreach, informing better decisions and better legislation.

Hello everyone, my name is Ishaan and I am a junior studying Data Science and Mathematics. I’ll get to the point—I’m running for senate because our school could use a little more fun, a little more community, and maybe a few more poker chips. I have seen a lot of room for improvement in my years at this school, but I’ve seen almost zero change. I am here to fix that. Firstly, I will partner our school with more places in College Town (like Chipotle!) so that they accept declining. It’s already expensive enough here—it’s the least we can do. Secondly, picture this: Wilco has felt poker tables: places where people can drop in, socialize, meet new people, and make lasting connections. Lastly, once a week, I want to implement a bar-like happy hour in Wilco where people can pull up for free, unwind, have a laugh, and remember that we’re all in this together. Thank you for taking the time to read all this. I want to emphasize that this isn’t just about burrito bowls, poker, or happy hours (though those things are great), it’s about listening to student voices, finding innovative solutions, and improving the quality of our time here. Therefore, vote for me, let’s shuffle the deck, raise the stakes, and deal out some improvements.

I want to run for class council because it is important to me to make a difference in our school community even as a first year student. I want to help bring, life and fun to our events even if it just makes one person’s day brighter it will be worth it.

Hello! My name is Athena Yang, and I am beyond excited to be running to be a part of your class council! I strive to not only make everyone’s voices feel heard and appreciated but also aim to synthesize everyone’s ideas to create a bright and vibrant picture. My experiences of working in the service industry, internships in research labs, and being an Ecorep on campus can all contribute to my role of strengthening the morale and spirit of our student body. In my position, I aspire to promote sustainability’s role in our community by hosting multifunctional drives, where people can come together to bring useful items in good condition (clothing, class notes, and household appliances), and come to find another useful resource that meets their own needs. Additionally, I’m interested in building the interconnections among the student body and hope to foster these relationships by hosting “talk-show” or “interview” events on social media platforms, where students can voluntarily share their daily experiences in college and talk about the challenges and accomplishments of their journeys, reminding others that they are not alone. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to working with all of you! It is my firm belief that the biggest joy of being a leader is having peers entrusting you to share their vision and bring together a better outlook. I am consistently working to build my creativity and resourcefulness, and cannot wait for my peers to inspire me to the next level. Vote Athena Yang for 2029 Class Council!

Hi my name is Jason! Im also running for Council, as Council id like to host programs that raise school spirit, such as planning out activities before home games, hosting voice panels to see what UR students want to see in there community, and promoting more cultural events. Students at UR have many talents and skills, that’s why I’d like to bring foward a student showcase where students can display a side to them that people may not know about.

Feeling overwhelmed with Dr. Rizzo’s economics homework? Need motivation to power through engineering analytics? Or just looking for something fun to do? Andrew Fogelson has you covered. As your Class Council Representative, Andrew wants to take the venues and resources we already have on campus and make them more exciting for students. One idea: Dorm Olympics, a year-long competition with monthly events like snowball fights, quad games, and even a campus-wide Nerf battle. Teams would compete for the coveted UR Greatness Trophy, with plenty of school spirit (and Rocky cheering us on). But it’s not just about big events. Andrew also wants to celebrate the everyday wins that make our class great. Through Rocky Rewards, students could nominate their peers for random acts of kindness. Winners would earn Rocky Bucks, a fun way to recognize and reward each other. Andrew’s goal is simple: make campus life more connected, more spirited, and more fun for the Class of 2029.

I’m Fanta Sidime, and I’m running for class council to bring energy, inclusion, and school spirit to our class. As an outgoing and extroverted leader, I want to create fun initiatives year round like themed spirit weeks, bonding events, pep rally games, and class merch that bring us together and make our freshman college experience memorable. My goal is to make sure everyone feels included, recognized, and proud of our class. Vote Fanta Sidime to make this year unforgettable!

Hi, Class of 2029! The past couple of weeks have been exciting. At the same time, it can feel stressful and overwhelming especially as classes start to ramp up. It is my goal as a candidate for Class Council to be a helpful resource for you. I hope to help students to make meaningful connections, be active, and find community through events and programs. I plan to create an online platform and in person events that can become opportunities to help freshmen connect with the upperclassmen, such as Hot Cocoa Night, Pie tasting and Movie marathons. I’m also excited to host events that will create special memories for our class. For those who love to craft and create art, a market selling student-created art will be a fun chance for us to get to know each other better and bring home some cool room decor. In the winter, I hope to set up “Cookies and movies”, where students living in the same hall can sign up and bake cookies together. Afterwards, the sweets will be delivered to the hall! Hopefully then enjoyed over a good Christmas movie. Lastly, I’m committed to promoting health and wellness on campus. I will do so through having events where people can socialize and be active, such as walks along the river and ice skating on the weekends. Overall, I am passionate about making a difference here at Rochester. I’m determined to make our experience as a class ever better.

Hello Class of 2029! My name is Yasien Taher, and I am running for Class Council because I want to create an unforgettable experience for all of us who are new to the University of Rochester. Being a freshman myself, I can tell that we are facing obstacles from learning about campus resources to establishing a community in an unfamiliar place, and ultimately I want to represent you. My ambitions are to create more interactive events that can unite our extremely diverse class, send out forums so that all of our voices and feedback can be heard, and create fun activities outside all around campus! I will make sure to hold myself accountable for commitments, and care about really making UR feel like home for all of us. I think our class has a lot of potential, and collectively, we can better the campus around us and help to solve so many issues, and do countless things that shape our years at Rochester. I am asking for your vote because I believe we can create an amazing freshman year and build a foundation for four incredible years ahead. Go Yellowjackets!

Hey Class of 2029 I’m Jonathan, and I’m running for Class Council because college shouldn’t just be about classes, it should be about creating the memories that define our four years.

In high school, I served as Student Government President and Vice President, where I launched scholarships for low-income students and organized events that actually brought people together. I learned that the best student leaders don’t just manage, they build community and make campus life exciting. That’s exactly what I want to do for our class.

My vision is simple: more energy, more connection, more school spirit. I’ll push for bigger and better events from concerts to cultural showcases that bring all corners of campus together. I’ll work to amp up school spirit, making sports games and traditions louder, prouder, and more fun to be a part of. I’ll also team up with student groups to create inclusive spaces and social activities that make everyone feel welcome, not just a select few.

I want Class Council to be less about meetings and more about momentum. With me on Council, you’ll see real investment in the events and programs that make Rochester feel like home—and make our class stand out.

Let’s make the Class of 2029 unforgettable.