Candidates

Hey everyone! Our names our Daniel and Elijah and we are running for President and Vice-President of the Students’ Association. Daniel currently serves as a Senator and the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee and worked to bring the committee back to full strength for the first time since the pandemic. Elijah currently serves as a Senator on the Campus Life Committee and heads issues surrounding transportation and dining. Our time in these advocacy-based roles of the legislative branch have taught us how to listen and gather student opinion and input, navigate administration, and stand up for policy that will help our student community. We feel that fundamentally SA should be a powerful tool that any student can use to advocate for the change that they want to see. For too long the structure of SA has merely heard an issue, assigned it to a person, and had them follow the issue through the ladder of administration. Through building deeper connections with non-SA student organizations, we can build the foundation for larger and more systematic University change. While we build a better system on the student level, we will fight relentlessly to be seen and enter spaces previously not entered by students on an administrative level. Student input is not enough; student involvement in the process of budgetary allocation and strategic planning are essential if we are to build a system in which students are guaranteed a healthy, enriching, equitable, and educational undergraduate experience. Time and time again the school has shown us that they would rather work around students on policy or project development than have them as an active contributor. We will work to get students into these important conversations and show the importance of the student voice. With the reworking of SA to be a more collaborative resource for student advocacy and work done to strengthen the power of the student voice, we will work to address the most urgent concerns across campus. We will work to address the severe understaffing and underfunding of vital university services such as UCC, UHS, and the Office of Disability Resources. We will call for needed short-term solutions and sustainable long-term solutions to our growing housing crisis. We will push further for expanded equitable hiring plans. We will further conversations on the Faith-Based Institutions and the concerning nature of third party control of University land, while beginning conversations on the development of a plan to include student involvement on alumni-funded projects from the start. It’s time to grow in our strength as a united student voice and have administration realize the power we hold. To follow our campaign and to leave any thoughts, questions, or concerns, please check out @daniel_pyskaty and @elijah.bader on Instagram!

We have decided that our campaign will not be built on promising policies which we may or may not be able to enact during our first term. Instead, we have chosen to run on a platform that is built on the sole goal of connection between all University of Rochester students. Meaning, no matter gender, class, ethnicity, or sexuality, you all feel a strong connection to one another, and a strong pride in being a Yellowjacket. For you know, that your class officers hear you, and speak for you. REGARDLESS, of our shared hobbies, backgrounds, and experiences. It is through this goal, that we hope to build upon our campus community, so that a woman in STEM feels not only at home within her classrooms, but also proud in knowing she has friends on the varsity swim and dive team. A campus community in which a biomedical engineer, a football player, and a brother from one of our many esteemed frats, can share smiles and laughs on any random night. We know everyone has demands and desires for this prestigious University. We know we all want those 3 swipes at the Pit back. We, too, are jealous of Genesee Hall’s air conditioning, personal sinks, and individual bathrooms. But we feel that the more pressing matter is that of building our class’s community and representation. Cause how are we supposed to back the cause of getting our 3 Pit swipes back as a collective, if we as individuals don’t feel heard, seen, or represented at the class officer level. So this is why we run. Not for the 3 swipes (although I will never stop nagging about it), but for the goal of connecting our fellow students to one another. And we aren’t just confident in our ability to achieve this goal, we are certain of it. Why? Just look at us. A short football player from Massachusetts, majoring in political science and finance, with not a shred of hope or confidence for Calc 142, much less 143. And a native of New Delhi, India who is not only pledging to Chi Phi and majoring in computer science, but who’s also an active member of our school’s very own Valorant team. I dare anyone to find a shred of similarity between the two of us. There is no reason for us as roommates to be as close as we are. But we’ve found a way. And through our bond, we have connected each other with fellow students we may have never encountered otherwise. So when looking for proof of our ability to build a unified community of completely different people, look no further than our story. So if you too desire to build a better community, in which all students are proud to call each other peers and friends, there is no better pair for the job. Vote Ansh and Jake today!

Admin Aint It Whether you are a fan of chocolate delights, a connoisseur of early 2K rap, or anyone else, we can all agree UofR has its fair share of problems. Rather than bore you with 20 pages of useless text (most likely from ChatGPT), we will just give you our main focal points: Administration has deliberately excluded us from decisions directly affecting student life (Interfaith “expansion” and credit limitations) and failed to address concerns of the student in crisis (Wilder incidents and flooding in Brooks). Finding financial aid and mental health resources could NOT be any more difficult. For a school that keeps limiting student potential under the guise of “bettering mental health and deconstructing toxic meliora culture”, they have failed to provide students with adequate support on campus through UHS. On the topic of UHS, we deserve on-campus medical professionals with respect to OBGYNs and licensed therapists. UHS & UCC is also understaffed – solely because of the lack of competitive wages by a university holding 4B dollars in endowment (as evident in all jobs positions here on campus). As for the quality of life here on campus, we all know UofR has been increasingly taking on a larger undergraduate class. We love some freshies and massive lines as much as the next person, but it is getting ridiculous. The school’s attempts to lean into Grubhub orders often result in lost drinks or over an hour’s wait. And, the best part of all, no housing :’) – but who wants to live in cinder block cells packed like sardines anyways? At the end of the day, Miraz and Mystie, your sweet little candy kids (M&M), have five years collectively of working through admin excuses. Jokes aside, we pay 82K in tuition and room & board for a school that is failing us. It’s not like this school is a scenic getaway – 90% of the year is trudging through snow and fighting a curve that is lower than my will to live (care report me- I dare you). Speaking of care, since when did the school ever take care of us? Genuinely asking for a friend. A vote for Miraz and Mystie is a vote for a Prez and VP that have less patience for admin than a toddler 6 mins before the candy high kicks in (shout out to our town hall 3/16/23 @5:03pm when Miraz told Provost Figlio to shove it). We already know the issues prevalent on campus and promise not to send you 50 surveys in the first semester (but @ us if anything else comes to mind- or pull up to Burton 235 for some tea and biscuits). It’s our last year, we have nothing else to lose but our sanity.

Hello everyone my name is Andrew, I joined the senate late this year, so I was really behind and lost when I transitioned into my role, luckily I joined SAAC which works on getting additional funding to clubs, to ensure that they get the proper funds to make their events. Funny enough I joined the senate to do more legislative stuff, but ended up doing something that is related to events still hahaha. If I get reelected I want to focus on students’ life and travel aspects., I’ve heard many students have concerns with the shuttles lines(especially the orange line), and new suggestions for adding innovation square as a stop on the red line, or having the orange line shuttle stop at innovation first before going to Eastman

As a part of the senate, I will be dedicated to improving the campus community. So far in my freshman year, I have worked with the Residential Hall Association, Committee of Political Engagement, and Debate. Through these positions on campus, I have learned the value of empathy and learned helpful skill sets in engaging with my communities. In RHA, I would identify needs in my area and create programs or fixes that could help meet those needs. For example, during finals we recognized how certain students were stressed and identified specific self care items to help and passed them out. Likewise, in CPE we review reports on political engagement on campus, such as voting rates, and create strategies from that data to facilitate political dialogue on campus. Before college, I was an election worker and worked as an intern for a criminal defense lawyer. What these experiences then, and my experiences now have taught me is how to be an advocate of my community and develop ways I can meet their needs, which I will continue to do as a part of senate. A vote for Carly is not only a vote for change, but doing so by prioritizing other’s
Voices and needs. I chose to lead with empathy.

If elected, I vow to bring justice to minorities, modernize the school through campaigning for better use of school funds, bring more attention to diversity on campus, and launch better minority support programmes.

Every school always has some sort of conflict and problem that either gets overlooked or ignored, oftentimes never mentioned again. However, spending almost two semesters here at the University of Rochester and spectating Senate meetings has shown me that persistence is key to representing students in the face of adversity. My experiences have allowed me to envision myself as a resource and liaison between student voices, making pragmatic change as a senator. Some committees that I would make a difference in include the Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Committee, the Administration & Review Committee (ARC), and the Campus Life Committee. These organizations match my values with connectedness and unity, especially with the student body. When I decided to run for Senate, I asked myself how I could make the University of Rochester UR home if problems aren’t brought up and discussed with people who have “power.” I acknowledge that making a change is not quick and sometimes, it feels hopeless. However, by representing you, I want to emphasize the discourse on issues that students bring up with the rest of the student government, utilizing the pipeline of committees that will effectively reach the school administration. As your senator, I hope to champion awareness and transparency about certain issues brought by all of you. I will be your connection or one of your connections, to change something, no matter how small. Step by step, little by little, let’s make our school, ever better.

I aim to represent the holistic student body at the University of Rochester. I will work vigorously towards the betterment of student life and advocate for the fulfillment of student needs. I will always be open to learn about issues on campus and will be unrelentless in the fight for positive change.

My name is Jacob Edwards, 2024, and I am running for Student Senate. I know many have taken issue with the Course Overload policy from the past two semesters. While the issue has been taken up by the current Senate, I wish to continue watching the evolution of the policy and keeping it up to date to the current needs and desires of students, holding administration accountable to an ever-changing student body. I will also continue to advocate against the Catholic Newman and Hillel Greenbaum Centers. These centers do not represent the student body as a whole, and will not serve the interests of most groups of students. Allowing valuable land to be used for these buildings is irresponsible and dangerous. As a senator, I will continue to advocate for more appropriate uses of University resources to serve all students, not just a particular privileged group. Lastly, I simply wish to continue to be a voice in the Senate for those who otherwise may not feel they have one. Being a friendly face for students to bring concerns to, and being able to take those concerns and apply them in a productive way, is incredibly important. Especially for queer students, I want to keep being a strong voice for student perspectives. I recognize that every student has different priorities on what their student government and university administration should focus on. Regardless of my objectives, I will attempt to foster the changes desired by most of the student body.

Hi! I’m Jayce Pak and I am rerunning for Senate. As a current 2026 Senator, I have sat on the following committees: Academic Affairs, Campus Life, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For the next term, I strive to continue the work that still remains unfinished. In Campus Life, I have been in frequent contact with folks from the IT Department and in the next term, I would like to refurbish the laundry machine app because it’d be really convenient to be alerted when your laundry is done washing/drying, right? I will continue working on the enhancements of URStudent (aka Workday), Blackboard, and the CDCS course catalog in order to make registration for classes as efficient as possible. By the time you’re reading this, you may or may not have already found out about what’s going on 3/27-3/31. The DEI committee is hosting an Identity Week + Cultural Fair! I hope this is successful as this is something I would like to help create in the next term in order to ensure that we effectively celebrate the diversity that is on our campus and make sure that students feel included. I also will get involved with advocating for faculty and admin to be more conscious about cultural holidays that students may be celebrating. I will continue advocating for the student body to ensure that students feel like they’re being heard. It is incredibly important that we bridge the gap between the student body and administration. Vote for Jayce!

Hi, I’m Kaitlyn, and I’m a health policy major from Rochester! I’ve been involved in Student Association since the fall in a number of different ways, as a deputy secretary and legislative advisor for Academic Affairs. As a legislative advisor, I’ve helped draft the Latin American Studies Major Resolution that was passed in the senate. I have advocated for increased disability rights on this campus through more comprehensive and efficient academic accommodations. As someone who receives accommodations from disability services, I understand just how important it is to make sure people receive equitable accommodations. I hope to continue this advocacy in my work as a senator. Additionally, when working as the deputy secretary for sustainability, I helped advocate for our school to look towards more sustainable solutions in areas such as dining and work with student organizations to help make this possible. Going forward, I hope to keep advocating for Rochester’s increased sustainability and connection to the local community. Something that has affected many students this year is the overload policy and the course progress tool. This is an essential problem that can keep seniors from graduating, in some cases. I hope to work with administrators and reach a solution that benefits you, the students, rather than keep a system that feels stressful and rushed in place. My past roles in student association have allowed me the experience necessary to represent you, the students of Rochester, to the best of my ability. Thank you for your consideration!

I am running for a 2nd time for Senate so that I can improve upon the goals that I have already achieved; This year I have been doing extensive work on improving the accommodations process for students with disabilities, and have had an abundance of meetings related to financial aid, abortion access, advising, and more. With another year in Senate, I would like to use the work I already have done as well as the connections I have already made to continue trying to make things better, and push for abortion access on campus and greater accessibility for physically disabled students.

Hello, my name is LuYi Han. I am campaigning for the senate position because my working experience in DEI Committee, SORB, Susan B. Anthony Undergraduate Advisory Board, and Unity Advocate for College Feminists made me realize that people tend to be numb to the inequalities happening on campus. After all, the tendency of obedience to authority, even though it can be seriously defective. Just like it might have taken rape victims a long time to realize their trauma due to society’s limited imagination of rape crime, student bodies in URSA might have also experienced inequalities without realizing it because of the lack of acknowledgment of the definition of unfairness. As a senate candidate, if I am elected, I will utilize the power this position gives me to the greatest extent to challenge the authoritative policy to provide a more equal and inclusive living situation for students and faculty on campus. For example, I will further collaborate with the Committees of URSA to implement mandatory race-related training for faculties, revise land acknowledgment, raise awareness of sexual education and sexual consent, and provide rape victims a clear recognition of their trauma and support their actions to fight for their rights. If you are willing to know more about my understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and the senate position’s duty, stay tuned to my election page, my Instagram account, and my campaign flyers on campus! Vote for me for my potential to enhance the effectiveness of the legislation enacted by the senate!

I’ve both heard about and experienced firsthand the gaps in our school’s sexual misconduct process that actively harm students. I would like to work with both students and the administration to help fill some of these gaps and create increased channels of communication.

The end is near. We converge on something incomprehensible. Vote for Sage: No gods! No kings! No bedtimes!

I’m running for reelection to Senate because I strongly believe in the importance of creating a positive and lasting impact on our university community. In the days ahead, we will undoubtedly face new challenges that require a Senate that is nimble and ever-ready to adapt to the needs of our student body. It is imperative that our Senate remains resolute in the face of adversity. As we move forward, we must strive for an efficient Senate, where every action taken is consequential, and time is never wasted. Transparency and communication are critical to the success of any student government. Therefore, I pledge to make our Senate easily accessible to all and ensure that our lines of communication remain open. We cannot underestimate the potential impact of Senate on both the broader and finer aspects of our university community. The actions of senators, whether in weekly meetings or within committees, all have the potential to make a positive, lasting impact. As a member of the Senate, I shall tirelessly strive to ensure that the voice of every student is heard, and that we address the issues that matter most to our community, whether big or small. Join me in this noble pursuit for a better future. Together, we can make a difference!

I love my time on Class Council and want to continue serving our student body my senior year! Class Council allows me to reach and connect with other campus organizations. My favorite part of Class Council is developing the campus community and I hope to bring incorporate experiences in the Rochester area to the future events. My favorite event this past year was the corn maze and I look forward to senior week next year!

I aim to represent the Class of 2024 and their best interests. I will fight diligently to make our senior year the best it can possibly be. I will help build events to promote class unity and school spirit. I will be open to criticisms and suggestions as a servant of the student body.

Hello! My name is Emily and I’m running again to be on your 2024 Senior Year Class Council! I’ve been an active member the past two years and serve as your current president! I love bringing fun events and experiences, like Gokarting and Rollerskating, to campus and want to make sure that we end our time here with as much fun and togetherness as possible! Meliora!

Hey everyone! My name is Giovanni Andre Correa-Quiñones and I am running for Class Council again! As we know, the academic year was difficult in all aspects. Making connections, and friends, and having a good academic standing was challenging, but we got through it together. My promise to you if I am elected is to work hard to strengthen our class through resiliency and creative programming. I believe that you along with the Class of 2024 deserve to be heard. I will make this possible by ensuring that students from different backgrounds can participate in events that bring them together and that meet their needs as students, and people who are eager to make meaningful memories in our last year at the University of Rochester. Additionally, I will always make sure to stay accessible to my fellow classmates as they would always be at the center of every decision I will make if elected. I hope I can count on your support to make the Class of 2024 more inclusive and resilient! #EverBetter #Meliora

We’ve been through a lot in the past 3 years. Many of us ended high school with no prom or the excitement of walking across the stage to receive our diplomas. Our first year of college was unfortunately driven by isolation and resulted in us becoming a class of strangers to one another. We shouldn’t be strangers any longer. With only one year left to make up for the time that we’ve lost, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for Class Council. Our last year of college can be a stressful one as we prepare to be thrusted into the real world, but we can also make it into a fun-filled send-off! One of my main goals is to promote unity within our class. This means creating opportunities for students to come together and create those lifelong memories we had hoped to create in our first year. We’re exceptional individuals who have the capability to do what our younger selves would have deemed impossible. But that’s us as individuals. I strive to support our transition from the “bad luck” Class of 2024 into the class that became the heroes that we knew we needed during the times. I promise to bring change and fresh ideas to the table. I’ll listen to your suggestions and work hard to implement them. My goal is to make sure that every student has the chance to make the most of their senior year and leave with unforgettable memories.

Class of 2024, My desire to attain the position of being a member of the class council stems from my yearning to serve our class, and have a more influential role in planning and putting together programs that will, without a doubt, reward us with our best year yet! Why the word ‘Reward’? I’m confident that the unprecedented start to our undergraduate career is still fresh in our minds. We were robbed of the first year of college we had all been looking forward to, persevered through our challenging transition back to in-person activity during our sophomore year, and only now in our junior year do we feel like we somewhat finally have our feet under us. Going into our final year, I believe we deserve only the preeminent experience. Our tenacity has earned it! I plan to leverage on my strong leadership skills from heading my high school student body, and use my personable trait to listen to all of your diverse ideas, bring us together as a class, and make sure you all feel represented and included. From my experience and involvement on campus with organizations and offices such as NSBE, CCAS, and The Alumni Office, I believe that I have the passion, credibility and understanding of what it takes to be a member of the class council. I am excited to get to work, and hit the road running!

Y’all wanna fun senior year? Imma make it fun. In all seriousness though, 2 years of Class Council experience and being student gov VP this past year has taught me a lot about organizing and striking a balance between being dedicated to achieving student-directed goals and having a good time with those around you. Next year I hope to continue the senior year traditions you love, replace the ones you don’t love with ones you do, and help create and capture your senior year memories so you can leave Rochester with even more than your well-earned diploma. I promise I’ll never ask again, but for one last time, vote Moore for more 😉

We are about to enter our senior year, which presents us with a unique opportunity to unite and make it one to remember. I’m running for reelection to Class Council to build upon the successes of our past events and create new ones that will stand the test of time. This is our chance to create a legacy that we can be proud of and cherish for the rest of our lives. Over the last three years, our class council has organized a range of fun and memorable events. This past year alone, we successfully held several large events, such as Winterfest, roller skating/laser tag, and an arcade night. But we must not rest on our laurels! I pledge to continue the evolution of our events, always finding new ways to innovate, including by finding collaborations with other student organizations on campus. Let us be daring in our approach, and let us not be afraid to dream big. We must be resolute in our pursuit of excellence. We need to explore how we make the best events possible that will be the perfect culmination of all our years. I am confident that with your vote, we can achieve this lofty goal. Together, let us make our senior year full of unforgettable memories and milestones that we will cherish for years to come!

Over the last three years, I have worked alongside fellow class council members to help organize events for our class and school. Next year, our senior year, will be the most important year yet, especially in regard to class council. We will be having events non-stop throughout the entire year, and it is important for us, our class, to have someone well-experienced and who understands how to organize these events. Want 21+ events at free or reduced prices? Done. Want random giveaways of school merchandise? Sure, we can make that happen. Let us continue with what we have been doing, and we will have an amazing senior year.

Hello everyone this is Andrew, I was on the class council last year as a programming chair, and this year, I would love to continue to serve the class next year. First I want to apologize for the poor performance of the class council events this year. I feel that many of our events aren’t executed and advertised properly, and I feel that they weren’t particularly exciting and fun, and the timing should be improved as well. There were also some internal circumstances that hinder our ability to do our best. I would also like to improve the giveaway items and make funs more fun for the class I am one of the programming chairs, so my main job was to do the logistics and planning of events themselves, a lot of other aspects are out of my control. I organized/spearheaded the Apple Picking, Haunted Maze, and Sting Game events and an upcoming Spit and Paint. I also participated in the planning of larger collaborative events with other school organizations such as our Winterfest, and I will continue to help with the annual BBQuad as well. My goal for the next year will be to run for the class council president (which is done through an internal election) and work on getting feedback from the class, via surveys, emails, Instagram posts, or even as Come Meet the Class Council, etc. But even without the president position, I will continue to plan and work on events for the class council

Hi everyone, my name is Annie Chin and I’m from Glastonbury, CT! Here at the University of Rochester, I am studying Linguistics and Psychology. I hope that everyone is having a great time so far, and I can’t wait to end our undergraduate experience on a high note! After serving on class council the past 2 years, I have found the experiences incredibly fulfilling and am excited to continue. As a member of class council, I will work hard to be accessible for those who want to reach out, whether it be to address an issue, just have a friendly conversation, or anything in between. I have a lot of ideas for more activities next year, and am excited to plan fun events for senior week and graduation!

Hello everyone! My name is Jennasea (Genesee) Licata -yes, like the river :)- and I am running for the class of 2025 Class Council, in the 2023/2024 campaign cycle! Being a part of the 2025 Class Council through the 2021 fall and 2022 spring/fall semesters has opened my eyes to the truly diverse, spirited and unique community that the class of 2025 embodies. As such, it is my hope to continue to foster class spirit, tradition and unity through a multitude of inclusive school wide programs and events. Firstly, it is my goal to support school spirit where it exists and foster it where it doesn’t. For instance, I would like to work with the school to offer free merch, prizes and perks at sports games as incentives for attendance and work toward organizing a school-wide tailgates and spirited events to promote school spirit within our college community. Secondly, I strive to promote class unity and uphold class traditions both old and new. Through this, It is my goal to assist the sophomore class in building lifelong memories and connections with their peers and the Rochester community. Lastly, I believe that criticism is the key to growth in any organization, hence I will ensure that all sophomores (and soon to be Juniors) have access to resources that provide feedback on events, and will work diligently to re-work programs to create a more enjoyable experience. I can’t wait to see what amazing things this coming year will bring! Meliora!

Hey everyone! If you don’t know me, my name is Kate Hidalgo and I have been our class President for 2 years now. I am running for Class Council because I am hoping to continue to build an eclectic inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and can have fun. I am planning to boost student morale/school spirit by holding a tailgate for each sport that we haven’t had before. A lot of students say they don’t feel like they have a real college experience here because of the lack of school spirit and I feel the same. I want to do everything in my power to not only make next year better for myself but for our whole class. I have already coordinated with the football team – their first night game we will be holding a tailgate for the first time!!! To boost school spirit I will be partnering with the sports teams to do giveaway items/raffles/tailgates during their most competitive games. I am also someone who is innovative and is always looking for ways to better their community. I will take any of your questions/concerns/ideas seriously and I will do my best to show you that you are heard. I am also planning to send out a survey at the end of the year to hear YOUR voices. I will take your feedback and make sure to implement it because I am YOUR representative. I can’t wait to see what next year will bring 🙂

Hi everyone!! For those of you who don’t know me my name is Matthew Tierney and I have been a Programming Chair on the 2025 Class Council for the past two years. I love being able to help with University wide events for our class and develop opportunities for class give aways. I am excited to be running for Class Council again and would appreciate your support. “Where enthusiasm meets Action; change will happen!” Thank you so much and I am looking forward to next year!!

I’ve both heard about and experienced firsthand the gaps in our school’s sexual misconduct process that actively harm students. I would like to work with both students and the administration to help fill some of these gaps and create increased channels of communication.

Greetings Class of 2025! My name is Ryan Ko and I wish to be part of the Class of 2025 Class Council. Class Council members are expected to create and manage events that will help bring the class together and promote school spirit. I am familiar with these responsibilities, as I was the business manager for Class Council 2025 for two consecutive school years. Not only have I managed the class council budget and other financial related decisions, but I also helped organize various events with my fellow council members. My experience with these responsibilities goes as far back as my senior year in high school, when I organized fundraisers and managed senior class activities as a member of my school’s Executive Council. Thus, these positions and responsibilities make me a capable candidate for the Class Council position. Personally, I have always enjoyed attending school events. Especially after hosting and participating in the events Class Council have held, I always found myself having a good time with the people I’m with. However, I equally enjoy managing events for others. Not only can I get to meet the diverse community that makes up UR, but I can also help everyone have fun with my efforts, which is, to me, an amazing feeling. With my prior experience and skill set, I can confidently say that if I get re-elected for Class Council 2025, I will continue to put my very best in organizing fun and memorable events for our school.

As you are about to finish your first year of college, PLEASE give yourself a round of applause! Many of us have struggled with something. Maybe the feeling of homesickness, or even the adjustment to college life. Lost. Alone. Homesick. All these feelings are STILL completely valid and I want to reassure YOU that there are people who are in the same boat. This is a universal experience for all of us. As we’re getting older, we might also be pressured to just keep applying applying applying for internships. With all of these things in our heads that we have to juggle and balance for our near future, there is one thing that I want YOU to remember: HAVE FUN! Prioritize your health in addition to reaching your goals. Study for that test. Apply for that internship. But also get that sleep. Go to that party. Hang out with your friends. Participate in Class Council-sponsored events. Create those memories while they’re still here because, in a blink of an eye, you’ll be soon walking on the graduation stage. As part of class council, I will keep persevering to offer you resources and events that will help achieve the options for you to be an academic weapon, a social butterfly, the life of the party, and so much more. Connectedness. School Spirit. Unity. UR new home. Again, these are values that I strive to embody and practice throughout my term. Let’s keep making our class, the Class of 2026, ever better.

Hey Everyone! It’s Elijah, and I’m running again for class council! Over the past year, I have served as the business manager for the 2026 class council. In this role, I have managed $12,000, coordinated with my fellow members on the council, and was the lead in creating the First-Year Formal. I am so excited to work more this year on the council, plan more events, and coordinate with the other class councils to elevate student events even more. Follow along with my campaign on Instagram @elijah.bader to keep updated and see more about my platform!

Hello hello! My name is Jayce Pak and I am rerunning for 2026 Class Council. As a current Secretary for Class Council, I have helped with not only the responsibilities of a Secretary (primarily writing meeting minutes and reserving rooms), but I have also helped with brainstorming and planning for events. I genuinely find enjoyment in being a part of Class Council and helping to make sure that our events run as efficiently as possible. The events we host are very important as they help our class to bond with one another and have fun! I really would love to help plan for more future events like maybe a masquerade ball, sledding, snowball fights, karaoke nights, study break days, more giveaways, contests, and a lot more events! I want to make sure that our Spirit Week will be a blast and that our Sophomore year will be super fun and unforgettable. In the next term, I want to make sure that we get student feedback and take students’ suggestions into consideration when planning for our future events so that we know what our class wants. So, make sure you vote for Jayce for more fun events!

I am running for a 2nd year on Class Council so that I can continue the work that I have already been doing for my class; I believe that me and my team this year have done a fantastic job programming and running events, and I think that what I bring to Class Council has been a big part of that. Next year, I would like to run more cosponsored events with the other Class Councils to allow for bigger and larger events, as well as run smaller events more frequently. I would also like for our Class Council to be an integral part of mentoring the incoming freshman and their Class Council as they navigate the transition from high school to UofR.

Hey everyone! My name is Keziah Daniel 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) and as your class council public chair! I’m 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. Taking part in class council, allows me to put together fun events that everyone can enjoy! My goal is to represent and give you the best yet to come! From an amusement field trip, escape rooms, and a sky lantern release to even getting catered food from local restaurants. I would like to promote school spirit with better rewards like free swag and the use of raffle prizes like gift cards and galore. Through social media, more students participated in school events. I hope by continuing the online influence we can encourage more turnouts. I’d like to work on sustainability projects via reusable water bottles or making challenges with unique prizes. Your opinion is valued! Therefore, I’d like to create a survey where feedback can be given with any thoughts/concerns about my work or events. 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!

· Murder mystery night: Murder mystery night is an event where students take place in a real-life set-up crime scene. They can role-play as detectives to find out hidden clues and use their analytical skills to find out the murderer. There will be suspects presented at the scene whom the students can interrogate. These suspects also have with them their documents including their alibi, relationship with the victim, and possible motives for murder. The event will be set up in an enclosed area so that students have enough time to go through the clues and the organizers can best decorate the space to provide an immersive experience. · Artist night: Artist night resembles a concert where music from one single artist is played. The monthly or biweekly event provides an opportunity for music fans to network, have fun, and share their enthusiasm in a safe area. The artist whose music is played can be anyone: from BTS, BLACKPINK, to Taylor Swift, indie bands. The suggestions are open to students so that no one’s taste is left out. · Pilates sessions for Pilate princesses and princes: Pilates is a great exercise combining strength training with posture and flexibility. It is a great mind and body workout that can promote health and mindfulness among students and target the mindfulness movement of the University. Being a hot trend on social media, Pilates can attract a great number of students, contributing to a small but significant change in the overall student’s health and well-being.

I am running for class council because I want to bring awareness to new topics and try to get my peers to interact with each other and try to understand some problems as to why some students don’t or do like. I want to shape UR into a community that is welcomed to all, even though, it really is already some students from different backgrounds feel left out and I want to bring them to discussion and help them voice their opinions through class council. I want to host events that are fun but also very informative and to acknowledge the different cultures and backgrounds on campus!