Senate president and trustee make plans for new semester
For Student Senate President Jesse Tilley and trustee Derek Torrisi, the key word for them in 2014 is “communication.”
“It’s easy to sit behind a desk and think you know what’s going on, but it’s another thing to actually talk to people and understand [their] problems,” said Torrisi, second year business administration major.
The Student Senate believes more communication amongst themselves, the student body and clubs will provide for a more effective form of government. The Senate is looking to make this goal of improved communication a reality.
Derek Torrisi keeps the Senate’s books as treasurer in addition to sitting on the Board of Trustees,which determines policy in monthly meetings and approves decisions made by college president Andrew Matonak.
Torrisi was also involved in working with the Board of Trustees in 2013 on the Open SUNY initiative.
“At my first meeting, [the Board] was already discussing policy. You get the hang of it by your third or fourth meeting, but by then you’re a quarter of the way through the semester,” said Torrisi.
“There is a learning curve,” agrees Tilley, second year liberal arts major.
As president of the Senate, Tilley has to see to it that the entire student body is represented, be it directing the Student Activity budget, dealing with and funding clubs, or organizing and presiding over student events.
Tilley that feels the past year’s events, which included day trips to Boston and New York City, a visit from hypnotist Tom DeLuca, the Welcome Back BBQ and Pumpkin Palooza — which was attended by 900 people — were very successful and emblematic of his focus on communication.
“I took to [my administration] pretty well after settling in,” said Tilley.
Tilley attributes some of the blame for low student involvement on student government not being as connected to the student body as it could be.
“I would like the student body to completely understand the Student Senate,” said Tilley.
One step towards this connection and understanding is a new Student Senate Facebook page currently in the works. Students following the page will be kept updated on Student Senate doings and will have the opportunity to leave feedback, ask questions and speak with Senators.
Another way for students to connect more with their government is to attend public meetings such as the first meeting of the Board of Trustees on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Both Tilley and Torrisi are remaining optimistic about the new semester and the push towards a more involved student government.