Graduate Student Organization - Stony Brook

Members

• Chair: Dan Woulfin (History) dan.woulfin@gmail.com
• Andrei Antonennko (Linguistics)
• William Lahti (Computer Science)
• Greg Sabino (Molecular and Cell Biology)

• Jacquie Lee (NYPIRG: non-voting)

Ballot for the 2008-2009 Executive Council Elections

"Please read the statements from the candidates and vote for one person for each position, or write the name of a current graduate student. Also, read the description of the referenda, and select one of the two positions. Thank you for your participation in this important manner."

President

1) Lila Naydan

Statement: At the beginning of the Spring 2008 semester, the GSO senate elected me to serve as President after two back-to-back presidential resignations in the first part of the 2007-2008 academic year, and since being elected to the position, I have made it a priority not only to create a sense of stability in the face of such tremendous transition, but to work openly and effectively with GSO executives, senators, and campus groups to better the lives of Stony Brook's graduate students. Specifically, my administration has worked to pass resolutions to raise assistantships for students making the minimum and to waive the technology fee for all graduate student employees. More generally, however, we have been committed to active, influential, and diplomatic representation of graduate student needs. In addition to serving as GSO President, in my three years as a Ph.D student in English at Stony Brook, I have served as the founding editor-in-chief of Stony Brook's award-winning Graduate Student Magazine, SBGradMag; as a GSO senator representing the English department; as a member of the University Senate; and as the President of the Graduate English Society. If reelected as your GSO President for the 2008-2009 academic year, I will continue to serve in the interests of realizing a vision of an honorable and ethical GSO that tirelessly works to better the academic, social, and cultural experiences of each and every member of our very diverse and dedicated graduate student body.

Vice President

1) Dylan Selterman

Statement:

My name is Dylan Selterman. I’m currently a senator from the Psychology department and I’m running for GSO Vice President.

I’ve been very vocal this year in the senate and an active member on the Social Concerns Committee (SCC) under Rob Gersch in the fall and Louis Esparza in the spring. This year we tackled issues involving the SB Grad Mag, parking on campus in the Red faculty/staff lots, dealing with disruptive/troubled students and general safety on campus. We have had meetings with Barbara Chernow, Dean Jenny Hwang and Police Chief Doug Little regarding these issues. I had the opportunity to run for Secretary this year, but I wanted to run for VP so that I can chair the SCC and continue working on these projects.

Eran is certainly a qualified candidate. I think what sets me apart from him is my passion. It is my philosophy that we absolutely must hold the administration’s feet to the fire if we’re going to make positive change for grad students.

Also it is my belief that we should foster an increased communication and cooperation with the GSEU, since we have the common goal of improving the lives of grad students here.

I have enthusiasm and dedication that will lend itself well to this role as VP. I am never afraid to stand up for what is right, and I will never compromise my values or the goals of the grad student population. I will work hard for you and for the school.

2) Eran Shor

Statement:

I am a fourth year doctoral student at the Department of Sociology. After serving as the GSO Secretary over the last year, I am now running for the office of VP hoping to continue my service to the graduate student community. During my office as Secretary I have worked with the rest of the executive committee seeking to improve the academic and living conditions of graduate students in our University. I have also served in various GSO and University committees, including the smoking committee, and the Student Life Advisory Council. Since coming to Stony Brook, I have been active in the Sociology Department, seeking ways to enhance the sense of community in the department. I was among the initiators of the Sociology Graduate Students Organization and am currently organizing a departmental photo exhibition. Before coming to Stony Brook I had a rich experience in voluntary community service, including volunteering in an Emotional-Health Crisis Center. If elected, I will continue to assist the GSO in advancing the interests of Stony Brook students and act for establishing a stronger graduate community

Secretary

1) José Colmenares-Angulo

Statement:

In my three years as a doctoral student in the department of materials science and engineering I have been involved in different campus organizations that contribute to our university life in many aspects. For the last year I have been chair of the GSELF loan fund that was established by predecessor Rob Gersch to assist students in unforeseen financial emergencies. I have also been vice-president of the materials science club for two years, promoting academic and social exchange in my department. This year I was also responsible for inviting Jorge Cham (www.phdcomics.com) and organizing the financing of his visit by the Graduate Student Organization and the Alliances for Graduate Education in the Professoriate.

As the next secretary for the GSO I plan to assist in bringing continuity to the many successful programs already existing and help the executive council to be a link between the graduate student community and the university administration when necessary. I will not only maintain my routine duties as a secretary (keeping minutes, keeping track of the senators list) but I will also be a part of the decision making process of the executive council and bring different points of view to the organization.

Treasurer

1) Christopher N. Young

Statement:

My name is Christopher Young, and I am currently in the third year of my Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering. During my term as a senator, I served on the budget committee, which has provided valuable insight into the financial workings and procedures of the GSO. My experiences as an undergraduate also support my qualifications; I served as the treasurer of two start-up clubs, working with small to mid-sized budgets. As a graduate student, I have been responsible for the creation of (and adherence to) my own budget for my research grant, which has given me experience in working with sums of money on the scale of the GSO annual budget.

If I am elected the next treasurer of the GSO, I will put my past experiences to use to ensure the continued fiscal responsibility of our organization. With my attention to detail, born of my scientific background, I will strive to maintain the efficiency and integrity required of the position. I will do my best to provide a clear, straightforward process for funding requests and reimbursements. Finally, I will work to continue and strengthen the GSO's history of quality programs that benefit the graduate student populace.

Mandatory/Voluntary Student Activity Fee Referendum

The mandatory student activity fee funds graduate clubs and department allocations, cultural and social events, talks and conferences, child care, Legal Clinic, Tax Clinic, Resource Allocation Program (RAP), and other programs.

At present, the student activity fee is mandatory and all graduate students are billed according to the following Schedule

* Full-time graduate students are billed a student activity fee of $22.00 per semester

* Part-time graduate students are billed a student activity fee of $7.00 per semester

A vote on whether the student activity fee should be mandatory or voluntary is required every two years under the SUNY Chancellor's Guidelines.

Please check box adjacent to your choice

1. That the student activity fee be mandatory for all students []

2. That the student activity fee be voluntary for all students []