Student Senate reflects on college challenges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Kofi Agyeman

Staff Writer

One principal responsibility of the student senate is to act on behalf of the student body. Just like any student, senators face their own struggles while pursuing their goals.

Having met Senator Chuck Schumer and various vice chancellors, networking is a big part of the job, and you never know who you are going to meet. Senators use their connections to learn more and bring that knowledge back to Hudson Valley Community College to further their goals for the school.

For the senators, who are interested in making a change in their school as well as the world, this is a beneficial role to propel their careers.

Negotiation and patience are crucial for progress. After a motion is approved by the senate, it is passed onto the Faculty Student Association, FSA, and then the Board of Trustees.

The senators are currently tackling issues and have plans for down the line, including reducing recyclable waste around campus and planning the spring banquet. They also have the end of the year class gift, a mural on either the parking garage or the Maureen Stapleton Theatre, to look forward to.

But taking precedence over anything is their desire to make student voices heard.  

“We are your voice to the administration,” said engineering major and President of Student Senate, Jamison Jarosz. “We bring whatever your concerns are up the chain of command and work to get them resolved.”

According to Treasurer Brendan Caluneo, criminal justice and business administration major, another primary role of the senate is to oversee the budget.

“[We] act as the fiduciary for all clubs on campus, managing requests and the $800,000 budget,” Caluneo said.

Despite the large amount of work that each member puts into the progression of Hudson Valley Community College, they all started as any student would.

“When I was in high school, there was this connotation that Hudson Valley [Community College] was the thirteenth grade,” Jarosz said. “Many classmates were shocked I chose this school, but when I got on campus I said ‘I’m absolutely going to make the most I can out of Hudson Valley [Community College].’”

The senators are as diverse as they are dedicated, with career scholastic politicians and homeschool entrepreneurs looking to make a big impact. “It’s only the thirteenth grade if you make it that,” Jarosz said.

“Between my family and getting my brother to school, trying to balance jobs, senate, an internship, classwork, sleep and commuting is a big thing for me,” human services major Maeve Uhalde explained.

This is the case for many of the officials. Between jobs, sports, classes and clubs, many are trying to survive while maintaning their GPA first and foremost.

For most of the E-Board, this is their final semester at Hudson Valley Community College and transferring is next on the list. Having attended high school in Pakistan, vice president and engineering student Ali Cheema is undoubtedly making the most out of this opportunity.

Cheema and Jarosz are eyeing Clarkson University for in the fall, Uhalde is looking to spend a year with Americorps and Caluneo will be staying.

The biggest change seems to be coming for Zion Sherin, freshman president and business administration major, who is eager to make waves.

Sherin is an interim community college representative for the SUNY Student Assembly, freshman president and academic senate. “You get to meet a lot of nice individuals who are academically minded who want to make a difference just like you [through these positions],” he said. “That’s the room I want to be in.”