Candidates

Hello, my name’s Aidan Robbins and I’m campaigning to be your representative in the Student Association Senate! Here at the University of Rochester I’m a hopeful Political Science major and I’m running to advocate more power to the students. As your representative I would advocate for greater student and workers rights. This school is yours, it belongs to you! In addition I support greater transparency and democratization of the current campus political system. Outside of the established campus government organization I believe in the goal of creating independent student power to draw more into the process and give a greater voice to the students. I encourage students to independently organize themselves and to reach out to me with concerns as the voice of students within the Senate. We should build greater student power and greater connection to established organizations. Every student deserves their say and the Student Association government needs to do more to represent the interests of students and I hope to help impose this through my position and advocacy. All in all I hope to stand for a growth in independent student power and democratization as well as standing for students’ interests both as students and workers! I encourage you to reach out with any concern and get involved. Solidarity forever! All power to the people forever!

Hello everyone my name is Alex Ophardt and I’m from Rochester New York! I am committed to creating a better channel between the student population and the student government to make meaningful connections and change. I would like to make students more aware of how they can voice their opinions straight to the student government, and collect more frequent data on student and campus life to keep up to date on concerns around campus. It is also important to me to get things done in a timely manner. If a concern is raised it should be addressed and resolved thoroughly and quickly to make students as comfortable as possible. I would like to provide frequent forums to the general public to actively voice opinions and concerns, and keep everybody updated on what is happening on campus and in the student government. It would be important for regular self-evaluations to be done within the student government to make sure everybody is on task and we are constantly aware of where improvements are needed. Help me create a proactive, rather than reactive, student government that has the utmost concern for the comfort and well being of students. Meliora!

Hello Class of 2026. There are many issues that I would like to advocate for on your behalf, but one major advocacy point of mine is regarding the dining halls. First, I’d like to extend the hours of the dining halls. The regular dining halls like Danforth close early and some students struggle to find food when the dining hall hours interfere with their later classes. So I’d like to advocate for the dining halls to stay open later into the night. Furthermore, the Pit used to be open until 2 am. I’d like to make that change back as this would help with late night study sessions or late night hunger. Next, many of our classmates struggle with finding food that they can eat in the dining halls. Dietary restrictions such as gluten-free diets, allergies, and more may significantly limit some of our classmates’ ability to find food at the dining halls. I will advocate for more and better food options for those facing diverse dietary needs in the dining halls. Additionally, during Ramadan Muslim students need to eat before sunrise to start their fast. However, none of the dinings halls are open early which prevents Muslims from finding fresh food. Equitable access to food is a must. I will work diligently on the Senate to advocate for more equal access to food for all students with diverse dietary preferences. I promise to be accessible for all your needs and be a strong voice for you on campus.

I am going to address the under-maintained water filtration system at GAC, lack of cultural representation in food staff, and ineffective COVID policies that increase transmission of virus. As we are adjusting towards college life and independency, I am going to review student criticism, express issues, and push innovative ideas that students request to improve this campus.

Hello Class of 2026!! My name is Ariel Greenberg, and I am excited to announce that I am running to be one of your Class Council and Senate members this year. I value every member of this class. I know that together we can create a huge impact and a great amount of change in a world where we struggle to find harmony. My passion and commitment to being a leader will never die. I am the voice of change for our student body. As a member of our Class Council and Senate, I will ensure that all 1500 of us share our brilliant ideas in order to create a fun and open environment for everyone as we begin one of the most important chapters of our lives. Whether it be fundraisers such as an ice cream social, or game nights on the quad to celebrate our diverse class, my leadership in the student council will provide everyone with a great time. Additionally, with my previous experience in student government, I understand how to take part in a student body delegation. Bringing issues that arise in our school community to the forefront of the Senate platform is something that I will always prioritize. My mind is always open to hearing new ideas and my eyes are always open to seeing new faces and changes. So Class of 2026, make UR vote for Ariel to take flight and get an Aerial view of what we can do.

I am running for senate to make student voices heard in our community. I value empathy and equality above all else and will do whatever I can to instill those values on campus. I am a first-generation, low-income student who understands the hardships that can occur in education. With me in your senate, I can advocate through my own experience of adversity to fight for a better educational environment for all students.

Identity; health; sustainability; economy. These are the four pillars of my platform which I will work tirelessly to improve if elected as Senator. I will work to affirm identity by attending alliance meetings and listening. I will develop close relationships with alliance leaders to provide direct communication between students and student government, and to ensure that I’m always up to date on problems that different identity groups and communities on campus are facing. As a senator, I will create initiatives to address the areas where the University is falling short of students’ needs. And, as a queer woman, I will enjoy attending queer meetings around campus with my fellow gays. I will promote health by securing more transparent, accessible, and thorough COVID data so that students can make informed decisions about when they want to mask. I will get healthier foods into the Dining Halls, adding whole wheat bread, bagel, and pasta options, opening a salad bar in Douglass, and widening the variety of fruits offered. I will work to promote sustainability in our Dining Halls, with initiatives to measure and publicize food waste data, compost this food waste, replace non-reusable containers in The Pit with compostable ones, and incentivize dorm halls to minimize their electricity use. Lastly, I will make Rochester more affordable by eliminating printing fees in the libraries, lowering the costs of textbooks in the UR Bookstore to market value, and opening a campus thrift store for anything you can name: clothes, textbooks, room decorations, furniture, etc.

Hi Everyone! My name is Elijah Bader-Gregory, and I am a member of the class of 2026 running for the SA Senate! A quick get-to-know-me: I’m from Buffalo, NY, and at U of R, I’m pursuing a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE). The legislative power of the Senate gives voice to our student body, and it is a vital resource for students, but it has further potential. In the Senate, I’ll have an opportunity to effect tangible and positive change for my fellow students. I’ve experienced doing just this, having held several leadership roles in high school, including events coordinator and senior class president. In these positions, I accomplished: tripling the senior class budget, leading a successful campaign to oust a teacher in violation of the school code, and abolishing the dress code. These accomplishments and responsibilities gave me skills I’ll take to the Senate, which prepare and excite me for committees on DEI, academic affairs, student life, etc. I also propose a new committee, “Quality of Life,” striving for cleaner bathrooms, increasing open dining hall and gym hours, expanding the shuttle schedule, and more. Other goals include using my experience as an EcoRep to help lead sustainability campaigns and writing op-eds in the Campus Times to shed light on university policies and what we, as students, can do to improve them. College isn’t cheap; why should our quality of life be less than the best? Elijah Bader-Gregory

Hi everyone, my name is Elizabeth Carleton, or Liz and I am excited to announce that I’m running for Senate. As a member of the Senate I hope to participate in the Campus Life committee. If elected I hope to work with the University administration in order to promote your (the Class of 2026’s) ideas for the Campus. I know we’d like for there to be more clarity for COVID procedures, especially how students with COVID should get food and interact with their dorms. You shouldn’t have to go hungry just because you have COVID and your friends don’t have time to grab you something from the pit, and you also shouldn’t have to go to a dinning hall to pick it up yourself while running a 105 degree fever. In the same way, students that are going to lectures should understand whether or not they should wear masks and what the administraiton is going to change tomorrow. As for me, I worked as the Vice President of Student Council at my high school and have experience working with school administrators. Feel free to stop me anytime with questions and concerns and I’ll do my best to answer them! Vote Elizabeth (Liz) Carleton for Senate!

Hello there! I’m Euan Seow, a Singaporean international student born and educated in Hong Kong. After graduating high school, I spent 2 years in Singapore serving as an officer within the military after which I came here, to our new home: The University of Rochester. So, why should you consider voting for me? To start, experience. My time as an officer has taught me how to work under pressure, uphold responsibilities and most importantly to do my best on the behalf of the people I represent. Working to improve the lives of those around me is not new to me, but I hope to have the chance to do that in this school as well. My commitment to making a tangible difference within our school is sincere. It’s a hard thing to show over a paragraph of text, but I openly invite anyone to chat with me or reach out on a social platform to get to know me better. I can promise my dedication is authentic and I look forward to proving that as a senator. The values anchoring my campaign are openness, initiative and passion. I firmly believe that as a senator my duty would be to listen to suggestions from you, the students, then to write, and fight for, the legislation to actualize those ideas. This is a process I vow to adhere to but first I’ll need your vote. Just remember: You win with Euan.

Hey, hi, how’s your journey been? No seriously, how are you? And I ask because you deserve to be more than just heard, you deserve to be LISTENED TO. As a first-year student, there’s a lot that I have yet to learn and it’s easy to get drowned out and dismissed. But I also recognize that I–that we–can still play a role in helping better our campus and our community. To do that, I plan to dedicate myself to three simple actions: listen, observe, and act. I’m hearing my peers’ concerns about campus safety and support, I see signs that tell us to recycle and eco-friendly containers but I wonder if they actually make an impact. And I hope I can act and at least do something to make our campus ever better. I am running because I care. Because the people around me matter. Because I recognize I do not simply live in a little bubble of my own. Because I’m a doer and I’m excited for what this year will bring! 🙂 ~Grace (she/her)

Hey! I am Gulsinam Akhmadzhanova (aka Gia) and I’m a first-generation college student, majoring in Mathematics on the Pre-Medical track with the ultimate goal of being a family medicine doctor. I am running for the class senate with hopes of representing the Yellowjacket student body and advocating for an inclusive and safe environment on UR campus. I seek to make our U of R community full of opportunity for EVERY ONE OF US. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories, so be sure that I will do my very best to hear your voice and respond to your desires. I would partner with the class council to hear weekly from the students (polls thru email or Instagram) to take action in making our college experience ever better 😉 Some topics I am interested in making improvements in are: textbook affordability, dining options, wifi issues, the inclusion of diverse backgrounds, the registration process, and greater representation of minorities and support for first-gen students. I am here to do everything in my power to place the students first and have each of you be comfortable in voicing your concerns and opinions to make our college experience the best it can be. This year will definitely be hard and as broke college students, we must make the most of it. That’s why you should trust your vote in me and we can slay together! Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns through Instagram @gulsinam.a

Solutions without advocacy is like a fallen tree in the forest. If a solution was spoken, but no-one heard it, did it really happen at all? A philosophical question, but one that aptly shows the need for a strong, outspoken Senate. As a candidate for Senate, I believe that I can be someone that communicates clear advocacy on behalf of the class of 2026, but also for the student community as a whole to the rest of the legislative body and to university administrators. As a senator, I hope to work to address common sense issues like increasing the amount of trash cans on the walking trails and providing exposure to all the different resources on campus while creating new ones to meet the evolving needs of the student body. However, the issue I am most passionate about is giving a voice to every student on campus! For me, the ability to express myself, my background, and my identity is how I connect with the community. A short time ago, at the U of R, we were able to express ourselves in prominent ways with flags, banners and posters in the common spaces such as Wilco, but for reasons undisclosed to the students, that ability was taken from us. As Senator, my mission will be to bring back those methods of expression, and to be the advocate that fights on behalf of all students. With that, when it comes to advocacy, I’m your Guy! Vote Guy for Senate!

Hi! My name is Jayce (JC, yes like JCPenney) Pak and I’m running for Senate! I’m from NYC and I’m majoring in Mathematics on the Pre-Med track. As a Senator, I strive to be an advocate for our student body and ensure that our UofR community includes diversity and inclusivity for students with different backgrounds and identities. I hope to implement more cultural holidays onto the school’s calendar in order to embrace our students’ backgrounds and cultures. I also hope to work with UHS in order to improve student healthcare, especially when it comes to students undergoing COVID-19 symptoms. I understand how difficult it may be to follow course material for those with disabilities, illnesses, or even students who feel like the professor is just moving a bit too fast. I hope to work on requiring all professors to have lecture recordings accessible for students to review. I will also try to install mental health days (designated dates during the semester for student and staff run workshops) in order to relieve stress and handle burnout because burnout is definitely real. We’ve literally only been here for 2 weeks but why is college ALREADY overwhelming? As a Senator, I will make sure that there are better communication methods with those who are supposed to assist us. I will do my best to have OUR voice be heard at every level and try to pass necessary legislation to work towards positive changes and ensure that our community is indeed, ever better!

Feel like your voice isn’t heard? You’re right. Who am I? My name is Kai Hua Liu, but you can call me Kai. I’m from the Big Apple and intend to major in Biomedical Engineering. I love to play tennis so you might catch me at the Athletic Center. I generally view myself as an introvert, but like you, we share the same frustrations. Turn off the lights in your dorm. Is there a difference? Walk into the bathroom. Do you enjoy the sight of hair everywhere? Or how about the smell? Enjoy limited food options? These are just a few of the list of frustrations I have encountered from my fellow peers. As your Class Senator, I would immediately draw and sponsor legislation improving our lives here at UofR. In addition to creating and supporting campus life-improving legislation, I promise to listen to your voice and echo your frustrations to the admins of this school. We paid our fair share for this school, and it is us that makes this school “ever better.”

In a University with approximately 1500 members of the Class of 2026, many students have their own concerns about the University community and what needs to be changed to make the University of Rochester better for everyone. And, with only 4 spots up for election in the Senate, that makes it even more important that everyone’s concerns are heard and turned into action. As a member of the Senate, I would like to serve as a direct avenue for people to raise their concerns and have them relayed to the Senate. Personally, as a man with Autism Spectrum Disorder, I also think it is essential that we get neurodivergent and disabled representation in the Senate, not only to broaden the perspectives of the people creating legislation, but to also ensure the disabled community’s concerns are heard and positive change is made for us when necessary, and I would be happy to serve as that avenue of diversity in the Senate. In terms of legislation, after hearing concerns from some students on campus, I plan to immediately propose legislation that requires RAs to notify their floor when they learn if someone on the floor has gotten COVID-19, so that the students know to take extra precautions so that they can be as safe as possible. Overall, my goal is to use my voice to involve students in government so that the community can be as safe and academically and socially successful as possible.

I Pay Attention To The Good Of Our Community, So You Don’t Have To! Hi everyone, my name is Lara Mengu. Here at the University of Rochester, I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering and/or Molecular Genetics. Many of you believe that the Senate is not competent in making changes for the better, BUT as problem-solvers of the catastrophic pandemic and globally recognized issues, we can bring back the much-needed ‘communication’ and ‘transparency’ to our Senate! Considering the leadership I assumed in high school, from becoming the Class President to being the MUN President and Secretary General, I will not be an echo but a VOICE in our Senate to reinforce actual ‘change’ for the better. Some say, “Gen Z radically questions rules and authority,” or simply call Gen Z’ers “cynical anarchists that know about nothing but technology”. Yet, by questioning our surroundings, I STRONGLY believe we are even more apt to tackle challenges like integrity, equity, diversity, and transparency. Certain issues regarding dorm conditions, security threats around the bridge, and finding suitable food catering to your diets have been brought to my attention. I’ll do my best to be accessible to anyone who wants to get in touch with me for anything in the spectrum of sharing your concerns or just chatting. I’ll make every effort to ensure that your voice is not an echo of mine and heard among the Senate to be able to pass down-to-earth legislation for our Yellowjacket Community!

“ I’ll be there for you, ‘cause you are there for me too.” I am such a big fan of Friends and by the time I realized how the enthusiasm I got from friends–Rachel’s Courage, Monica’s earnestness, Phoebe’s determination to make the world a better place, Ross’s wisdom and passion, Chandler’s brilliant balance of sophistication and humor, Joey’s optimism and naivete–matches with the central idea of Senate, which is to practice the spirit of Meliora while hearing, acknowledging and responding to our schoolmates’ needs by designing, rectifying and enacting according to legislation to satisfy our schoolmates’ demands, I decided for nothing but to go for it. Ironically, my profile is up here representing your activeness of you when you guys are so AWESOME! We all have something to prove and nothing to lose. You should be up here running for yourselves. But I’m here. The goal for me running for Senate is too far beyond the reputation and how this position can make my resume looks fancier. As the brilliant candidate of the SA government Daniel Pyskaty said last year, the issue raised by students can’t be solved by a vote on election day, the title of the Senate itself means nothing. What matters is that if I, to my greatest honor, am endowed with this title and the subtle power that come with it, I can do my best to unite our student audience’s voice together and make an impact on school standing on the shoulders of giants. Meliora!

Hello 2026! I barely know any of you, so I doubt that many of you know me. To introduce myself, my name is Marvin Wu and I’m from the Bay Area, California. I plan on majoring in Clinical and Translational Sciences and I’m running for Student Senate! For most of us, we are going through what are huge changes in our lives. Leaving home, starting college, and fears of COVID-19 slowly fading away. Needless to say, there’s been a LOT to deal with. Through running for SA Senate, I hope to represent your voices in student government as you adjust to all the changes coming to the University of Rochester. When we were making our way back to in-person learning and dealing with masking requirements last year, I helped ease the transition back and addressed student concerns in my school’s student body government. While circumstances may not present the same way as they did in high school, I know what it’s like to feel lost in everything that is happening. I am confident (as I hope you are) that I can help make all the chaos around us a little more bearable for all of us. I look forward to meeting you and am excited to spend the next four years here with you all!

Hi everyone! I’m Sanah Sanduja, and I’m running to be student senator. As someone who has only been in this school for two weeks, I’ve surprisingly accumulated a lot of things I feel like would improve our lives here. For starters, I’ve noticed that there are a couple windows of time during the day where students can’t find food on campus. Since we have multiple dining halls, it would make sense to have an overlapping of times so that no matter the time of day, there is at least one location open. Furthermore, wifi isn’t fair. In some locations it works great, and in others we can barely send an email. Since one of our primary purposes here is academics, it’s crucial to have working wifi in all locations on campus, so students have the freedom and peace of mind to work wherever they’d like. But here’s the catch… Instead of complaining about these issues we’re facing, we need someone to stand and advocate for us and fight for change to make our lives easier. That’s where I come in to play. I can be that voice for our student body and push for these changes. I’m known to be confident and hard-headed, and can ensure that if I have the pleasure of serving as senator, these changes will come to life. I would be honored to have your support and your vote! Thanks 🙂

As a first-year student senator at the University of Rochester, I want to focus on housing inequality among university undergrad students. As a Gilbert Hall resident myself, I recognize that many of my peers feel as if they are mistreated because of the amenities that older dorms lack. Despite paying the same tuition as those who live in dorms with ACs in every room, residents who live in older dorms must endure the draining impact of heat waves through the first few months of the school year. Dorms are places where we spend most of our time and is our home away from home. It is integral to the students’ focus on academics that our dorms maintain a certain level of standard. I hope to push the legislative branch to act on the unequal treatment of our students.

The most important thing to me is hearing other people’s options. I know that might sound insanely cheesy and fake, but it’s true. In order to actually improve legislation, we need to hear input from others. The student government is already incredibly well organized, but my goal is to further develop it using both my own knowledge and the feedback from my fellow peers. Rochester strives to always continue to improve and has an extremely diverse campus, we should use that to our advantage and continue to make the school better. I plan to help the school buy items from more ethically sourced companies, put 2 ply instead of one ply toilet paper in the bathrooms and yes… add more swings. I will work towards a positive change and together we will make the campus ever better so, melior- I mean go tigers!

Hello everyone! My name is Ashlie Sitzer and I am running for a spot in the Class of 2026 Council. I am an intended Chemistry major with an interest in leadership positions, as well as making campus a spirited place. In high school, I was involved in Student Senate, in which I planned spirit weeks and helped them come to fruition. It was something I enjoyed and I wish to continue here at Rochester. We are such a unique class, and I wish to bring everyone together for some incredible events. It is so important that we are united as the Class of 2026, and that we start our next 4 years together in a memorable fashion. Some of my ideas to make this happen are a painting night, outside field activities when the weather is nice such as volleyball, movie night, and many others. I wish to make our school a fun place, and begin new traditions as well as continue old ones. I would also be extremely open to ideas and love feedback. As a council member, I would make sure that everyone’s voice is heard and that I represent the Class of 2026’s ideas to the best of my ability. Thank you so much for reading! Meliora 🙂

Hi, my name is Lauren Suh and I’m running to be on class council. I’m blessed to have spent six years in a leadership position, two of which were focused on representing my class. As I’ve been both class representative and a member of my council, I’ve learned the importance of community, especially within the student body. During my two years, I helped organize our class programs through the help of students like you and me. I oversaw social events including pizza fundraisers as well as boba socials. In our school’s Clash of the Classes Week, I assisted in the planning of friendly competitions between grades. Students’ participation raised money towards chromebooks and new textbooks. There is a misconception that most students believe only those in a leadership position are able to make a change. My goal is to convince you otherwise. Class members are representing their peers and their interests. I would like to use my position on the council to share your ideas. What you are excited about should be a part of your college experience and with your vote I hope to help you along the way.

Hi, I am Lucy Du. I have always enjoyed serving my communities and planning major events during high school. I was the secretary and international student liaison in my high school student council. As a first-year student inspired by the diversity of our campus, I‘d like to represent our class in the Class Council, and I am motivated to plan out fun activities to bring more liveliness. I’ll try my best to organize THEMED ACTIVITIES like Renaissance and Greek festivals, cyberpunk and anime cosplays, etc. I would also like to introduce a UR CHRISTMAS MARKET before finals and a make-your-own-boat contest at the end of the school year. I will plan activities that make both the all-nighters and early birds HAPPY. Accommodate for poor weather!! Organize cookouts between different halls and holiday costume competitions. Definitely no more roasting under the sun! I hope to connect the cultures we bring in as a class and combine it into our unique UR culture. It’s my goal to create unforgettable memories for us as young adults. I would always be open to know about what our class wants, help more people feel they’re seen and heard, and make the class more SLAYYYY!! YELLOWJACKETS, LUCY DU WOULD DO THIS FOR YOU! Finally, class of 2026, I really hope you can vote me for class council, and I sincerely appreciate every vote. Thank you for your support!!!! Feel free to reach out to me on instagram @luccyi_du

Hey Class of ‘26! I’m Daniel Oh, and I’m running for Class Council. First, a bit about me: I am Korean American and a California native, which means I’m already shivering but excited to see some snow this winter. I am a social butterfly, a passionate believer in a tightly-knit, happy community, and an eager explorer of new things. If I’m not actively greeting others or striking up a conversation with someone, you can probably find me in the gym playing sports or, soon, effortfully struggling as a rookie dancer in RICE Crew. Though I am an avid talker, I will also bring a listening ear, teamwork, and dedication to the Council. Together with the other Council members, I will advocate for more opportunities to help our class bond and foster a welcoming familial community as a class. Through large coordinated events such as Winterfest and more spontaneous gatherings like picnics or karaoke nights, I hope everyone in our freshman class can make lasting memories and grow closer together in our crucial first year as college students. This ambition can become a reality, and with your support, I know we can make this a memorable, fun-filled year! Thanks for taking the time to read through my spiel – I hope to receive your vote on the 15th!

I plan on running for the class council in order to create a change in the UROC community by create for inclusive events that all people feel that they can be apart of instead of feeling left out. This portion is a perfect fit for me and the type of impact I want to have on the campus community to be more upbeat place which only goes into. my own personality as being someone that’s easy to talk to and also someone others can just walk up to because of my extroverted personality. The events that I want to create on campus will allow for students who aren’t as outgoing to be with others an create a better understanding of one and other and find similarities amongst each other and focus on that more then their noticeable difference because everyone deserves to be on campus and it shouldn’t be

In the words of Avicii, “Wake me up”. These first two weeks of freshman year seem like a dream. I landed as a perfectly confused freshman but then saw people even more confused than me and did not feel so bad after all. Along the way, I met amazing people from all around the world and have loved every moment. Someone asked me why I would leave sunny Marbella in Spain and come to super snowy Rochester. The easy answer would be for the flexible curriculum or the amazing faculty which are awesome in their own right. But the true answer is the incredible food at Douglass Dining…. Hell no. While there is a big chance of me gaining ‘Freshman15’, there is a better chance you guys will elect me to the student council so we can work together to organise unique events which not just reflect the diversity of our university, but also maximise engagement & attendance. I would like to say elect me because I am smart…but you already know that……elect me because I care about my fellow students…..yes I do……but most importantly, elect me so we can make this super fun and the best year ever, together!

Hey everyone! My name is Keziah Daniel (Ka-zee-ah), and I wish to be a part of the 2026 Class Council! Some of you may know me from the Biology and Chemistry GroupMe’s I’ve started (RIP our phone notifications). I am running for Class Council because I strive for a community where we’re unified and each individual is celebrated. I am an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and seek to include all diverse backgrounds. Thanks to COVID, we lost some good old times back in high school. However, I’m here to create some more ecstatic memories for us at UR. From an amusement field trip, laser tag, escape rooms, a sky lantern release to even getting catered food from local restaurants. I would like to raise school spirit with better rewards like free swag and the use of raffles for prizes like gift cards and galore. This promotes more student activity, from sports games to school events. You worked hard to get here and deserve just as much fun. To continue making a greener campus-I’d like to start reusable bottles that can be refilled with beverages on campus! Your opinion is valued! Therefore, I’d like to create a link to a survey where feedback can be given regarding events or how I can improve myself. Using this feedback, I’ll do my best to provide an authentic Meliora experience for us all! Please reach out to me with any questions. Until then- I’m excited about what the future entails for us Yellowjacket!

I would like to make the University of Rochester a place where every student feels safe and able to express themselves as they wish while also having a memorable time on campus.

Hi everyone! My name is Ari Lim, and I’m running for class council! I’m a freshman, from northern New Jersey, and an intended economics major. In high school, I was a class officer for 4 years. I learned a lot from that position, working with other officers and meeting with them weekly. It was my favorite part of high school, as I loved planning fun events and getting to interact with everyone in the grade, which is what I hope to do at Rochester. As a class officer, I helped to organize class volleyball tournaments, bake sales, and raised money for different charities. At Rochester, I hope to help promote spirit and make the year fun for everyone! Some ideas I have are karaoke nights, TED talk collaborations, scavenger hunts, and possibly free goodie bags (stress ball, snacks, coloring books, etc) during exam season, to help reduce stress! I also think it could be fun for there to be community cooking classes, where students can have fun learning new recipes. These are just a few ideas I have, and I would really appreciate hearing feedback from you guys. I hope that with events and ideas like these, I can help to make campus life a lot more fun and enjoyable. Also, I love meeting new people so please feel free to reach out and say hi if you see me on campus!

My foremost goal is to get as many students as possible involved in school events and that they can have fun. Students in UR have a large variance in their background, different from cultures to personalities. Some of them are positive in taking parts of school events, but some prefer to stay away from these activities. The reason why the latter do so may be that they have little information of the events, that the current events are not attractive enough to them, or that they simply don’t like to be in the crowd. Therefore, to achieve my goal, I will carry out the plans below (and more): Easier ways to get information. E.g., short introductions on disposable serving plate, sending flyers to passing students, more specific classification on events. Collect and respond to students’ opinions. E.g., Automatically asking students who sign up for an event for feedbacks, official email for questionnaire/news/response, asking for students ‘suggestion before some events and get them involved in designing activities. Add culture related events and performing events. E.g., exhibition of cultures, Food festival, Band performing

My name is John Conduah and I am running to be a part of class council. I have realize that we are a unique class and we all come in with a unique set of experiences and views based on our various backgrounds. I believe that we should reflect this point in the events and activities that are give to us as a class at U of R. I believe I can use my voice and platform to push for me events and activities that tailor to us as a whole class. Thank You for your time!

Have you missed home recently? Whether you live in New York or live thousands of miles away from Rochester, college can be overwhelming, especially right now. Lost. Alone. Homesick. All these feelings are completely normal and I want to reassure YOU that there are people who are in the same boat as you. This is a universal experience for all of us. I bet that most of us freshmen, don’t have their life and career planned ahead of them. In this new environment, there are many factors that can make your experience stressful at first: Imposter syndrome and the feeling of not belonging, loneliness, being intimidated by new faces, and Different class sizes. But over time, you’ll find out that there are many more factors that could make your experience unique and comfortable. New friendships. Exploring more of the campus and city. Creating memories. This change is based on your course of action, but I will persevere to offer you resources and events that will help you get there including sending letters back home, more insomnia cookies and boba events, making time capsules, and much more. Connectedness. School Spirit. Unity. UR new home. These are values that I will strive to embody and practice throughout my term. Let’s make our class, Class of 2026, ever better.

Hi Everyone! My name is Elijah Bader-Gregory, and I am running for the class of 2026 council! A quick get-to-know-me: I’m from Buffalo, NY, and at U of R, I’m pursuing a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE). The most valuable part of my high school experience was in planning and leadership and how I could enrich the educational experience for all students. These experiences drive me to further the unity and morale of this university. In high school, I was an active member of my community, serving as special event coordinator and senior class president. My proudest accomplishments in these positions included tripling the senior class budget, establishing a class time capsule, coordinating spirit weeks, expanding the winter carnival, and abolishing the school dress code. I intend to use the skills I developed in high school to amplify the quality of events and traditions we cherish, and to grow the number of new events we plan as a community through a robust initiative for more student input. I don’t know about you, but I think most of us could agree that time in college has been flying by— and I don’t think it will stop. The next four years will pass in the blink of an eye, and my goal is to make them more enjoyable and unforgettable than ever before. Communication is key, so let me know any suggestions you may have! I look forward to receiving your vote and improving our college experience! Elijah Bader-Gregory

I am going to address the under-maintained water filtration system at GAC, lack of cultural representation in food staff, and ineffective COVID policies that increase transmission of virus. As we are adjusting towards college life and independency, I am going to review student criticism, express issues, and push innovative ideas that students request to improve this campus.

Hello Class of 2026!! My name is Ariel Greenberg, and I am excited to announce that I am running to be one of your Class Council and Senate members this year. I value every member of this class and know that together we can create a huge impact and a great amount of change in a world where we struggle to find harmony. My passion and commitment to being a leader will never die. I am the voice of change for our student body. As a member of our Class Council and Senate, I will ensure that all 1500 of us share our brilliant ideas in order to create a fun and open environment for everyone as we begin one of the most important chapters of our lives. Whether it be fundraisers such as an ice cream social, or game nights on the quad to celebrate our diverse class, my leadership in the student council will provide everyone with a great time. Additionally, with my previous experience in student government, I understand how to take part in a student body delegation. Bringing issues that arise in our school community to the forefront of the Senate platform is something that I will always prioritize. My mind is always open to hearing new ideas and my eyes are always open to seeing new faces and changes. So Class of 2026, make UR vote for Ariel to take flight and get an Aerial view of what we can do.

Hi everyone, my name is Elizabeth Carleton, or Liz and I am excited to announce that I’m running for Class Council. The past weeks have been a lot for all of us, from moving in, to fun welcome week activities, to our first college lectures. Emotions have run wild, from excitement to homesickness, anxiety to confidence. Now as we finally get our bearings things may start to feel mundane, even boring. But that’s what class council is here for, and if I’m elected I’ll make sure of it. I hope to plan fun activities and events to immerse us in the community, continuing the fun we’ve had during welcome week. From hot chocalate to celebrate the end of the semester to ice cream socials in our last weeks as freshmen, I have so many ideas to bring us together. I’m also really passionate about making our community a strong one, both as the Class of 2026 and in the greater University community. I have worked as the Vice President of Student Council in High School and have experience running and operating student organization social media accounts in order to facilitate communication. Feel free to stop me anytime with questions and concerns and I’ll do my best to answer them! Vote Elizabeth (Liz) Carleton for Student Council!

As a member of the Class Council, I will take initiatives to foster a community that is as enthusiastic and comfortable as possible. I will make community events more enjoyable by presenting fun and entertaining ideas, and aim to make every individual in the community feel as comfortable as possible in events and around their peers and faculty. I want to use my status serving in the Class Council as an immediate faucet for the students to bring their concerns and ideas to the table, and do what’s best for the student community as a whole. Overall, my goal is to use my position on the Class Council to make *everyone* comfortable and enthusiastic enough to scream “Let’s Go!”

Hi! My name is Jayce (JC, yes like JCPenney) Pak and I’m running for Class Council! I’m from NYC and I’m majoring in Mathematics on the Pre-Med track. Being part of Class Council would allow me to help plan and host a variety of school wide events for all students to get involved in. For example, I would implement a Multicultural Day where all students and staff come together to celebrate diversity and a multitude of cultures by trying different foods and watching performances. Additionally, I would collaborate with cultural/identity based clubs in order to promote diversity and inclusion within the UofR community. What could unity look like? Unity in the Class of 2026 would include spirit week, picnics, an ice-skating/roller-blading trip, game nights, and many other events! But, of course, I want to make sure that insight is given from the class as a whole so that the Class Council can plan accordingly for future events. I believe that feedback can be provided through immediate forms/polls being sent out to those who participated in such events. I hope to get to know as many students in our class as possible and help plan events that can bring us all together! This is only the beginning of our journey here at the University of Rochester. Let’s kick it off strong and have a memorable year! 🙂

Hello there! I’m Euan Seow, a Singaporean international student born and educated in Hong Kong. After graduating high school, I spent 2 years in Singapore serving as an officer within the military after which I came here, to our new home: The University of Rochester. Let’s be honest, nobody in this cohort has been around for very long. Remarkably, however, in this short span of time I’ve already seen our class show remarkable unity and spirit. From the fun of starting Mexican waves in the athletic center to the kindness everybody I’ve run into on campus has shown, I’ve quickly found my reasons to be fond of this class. I’m proud to be part of the class of 2026, and as a member of class council I will work to spread and grow that spirit within our community. Our time at this university is only just beginning, so let’s start it off on the right foot. I promise to give my all to make the time we spend here enriching and enjoyable, it’s a cause I’m fully committed to. Sincerity may be a hard thing to show through text, but please feel free to chat with me anytime you see me or reach out on my socials to get to know me better. I vow my resolve is sincere and I look forward to showing that as a member of council. Just remember: You win with Euan.

As a former student body president of my high school, I pushed the values of respect, honesty, and integrity throughout the year. Through listening to the opinions of the student body and having a respectful conversation with other members of the student government, my colleagues and I were able to host the most successful homecoming in the history of my high school and many other successful events and, most importantly, provide enjoyment to the students. Being a representative of a group of people has been a major part of my life, and I will take pride in being the face of the diverse group of students at Rochester.

Hey everyone! My name is Gulsinam Akhmadzhanova, but Gia for short. I am a first-generation Turkish student who is intending to major in mathematics on the pre-medical track… I am running for class council mainly because I loved being involved in similar leadership positions in high school and I can’t skip past this significant opportunity to make our freshmen year AMAZING. Previously, I was National Honor Society President for multiple years and ran all the school pep rallies, spirit weeks, and events through Student Council. I am a very passionate person who puts her heart into everything she does and I can guarantee that I will do my best to fulfill this position very well. I intend to make our freshmen year full of a whole lotta fun 🙂 From spirit weeks, field days, trips, and raffles to much more. I want there to be a variety of options for fun activities to be involved in regularly. If I was elected to the class council, I would also prioritize hearing from you by sending out weekly emails, or using Instagram features like polls actively to know what events the student body is interested in. I am a highly energetic and creative person who is always looking for chances to make memories and spread joy. I can assure you that I will do my best to make our freshmen year unforgettable and full of spirit. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, etc: insta>>> @gulsinam.a

Tradition, fellowship, and connectedness are each the staples of campus life at the U of R. As we leave freshman orientation behind us, and settle into larger campus life, it is important that we continue to strengthen our existing friendships with each other and seek out new ones. With that in mind, as a Class Council member, I will work to create opportunities that keep us connected and open. As mentioned, tradition is a critical aspect of matriculation, events like Wilson Day, One Community and Yellowjacket Weekend all played an important role in introducing us to one another and building a sense of community. As the semester starts in earnest, why can’t we continue to host special events such as themed dinners, mini-carnivals or acapella/dance performances? Simple answer, there’s no reason why we can’t! Part of the college experience is the way events like those bring us together to meet people we otherwise wouldn’t have interacted with who each have their own unique personalities and ideas to share. The sense of connectedness that this creates is critical, but equally so is finding fellowship on campus. Fellowship isn’t just an academic term, but rather a word for bonding with those similar to us. As a Class Council member, I want to bring clubs and social events to the forefront for each of us to find where we belong! So, if any of that sounds appealing, then I’m you’re Guy! Vote Guy for Class Council!

Fun, sustainability, friendship, community engagement. These are the four pillars of my platform, which I will promote ardently if elected to class council. 

First, fun. Obviously. Are you an adrenaline junky? Does Ax-throwing sound epic to you? Or maybe a U of R American Ninja Warrior competition? How about learning how to set off a fireworks show? Maybe you would prefer water balloon fights and fried dough, capture the flag and food trucks, and inflatable bouncy castles, water slides, and dunk tanks? Maybe you like roasting marshmallows, live concerts, or book exchanges? I will make any or all of these things happen. 

But who says fun can’t also be sustainable? If elected, I will open a U of R thrift store, where you can buy and sell anything and everything: clothes, textbooks, room decorations, records, furniture, etc. Add community to the mix and you get events where you can sign up with friends to plant plants around school, reintroducing native plants to campus to promote healthier soil and important pollinators, and making campus more beautiful! Additionally, I would love to help students turn their community engagement ideas into reality by helping organize, publicize, and fund their initiatives.

And lastly, friendship! I will work closely with alliances to support creative and fun events, and to help facilitate inter-alliance meetings (for example Pride Network x Asian American Alliance) to bring communities together. After all, what’s more important than friendship?

Greetings Class of 2026! My name is Luyi Han, a freshman in this class and I’m currently running for the representative of the Class council. I’m more than familiar with the mission of the position I’m running for–to hold and organize events that will bring the class together and spread the school’s Meliora spirit as a manner of uniting students of this class as a union. My experience in organizing events can be traced back to my high school. I founded the first Gender,Sex and Sexuality studies-related feminism club in my high school. Preaching what feminism is, establishing a reading center for book-reading and analyzing as a group, and publishing academic articles on the Official Account. I am also a club leader and school ambassador of Girl Up Organization in our School and participated in organizing the Girl Up East Asia Summit that took place in October 2021. I devoted myself to the one-month internship at CFPA, applying the sociology concept from Peter L. Berger and Simone de Beauvoir in designing the course syllabus for the “Let’s go!–Social-Emotional experiencing and Role clarifying”program with four PKU professors. I also organized and co-organized, or even just participated in tons of events in my high school. The purpose of me listing all these events I have engaged in is not to impress my voters, but to convey a central message– We are all just trying to figure out who we are. Don’t stop believein’, stay hydrated, be sexy, and get this party started!

Hello everyone! My name is Grace Dobson (she/her/hers), I’m from Atlanta Georgia, and I’m running for your 2026 class council. My ultimate goals as a member of the class of 2026 council would be to not only foster class spirit but also plan events that make you feel like a part of event organization. As undeniably important it is to have class spirit and unity in the class of 2026, I feel that the best way to achieve that is through events which make you feel seen. I want to be known as someone who can plan events and activities that make you feel included and engaged, but also supported socially and mentally. While I have some of my own ideas for events, I’m committed to hearing suggestions and getting feedback from you as well. Class council and student body should be a partnership, so I encourage you to look at my campaign as that, not some stiff and stuffy thing where I’m supposed to know what you guys want without even asking. You should be able to trust that if I can’t get what you want, you were heard, and I did everything I could to make it happen. Whether that’s through instagram Q&A’s or email polls, I can’t imagine a successful class without communication between us. Thank you and I’m thrilled to see what this year has in store for all of us. Have an incredible day and I hope to hear from you soon 😉