By JONAS MILLER
Co-Executive Editor
A forum was held last week to introduce the candidates for this year’s Student Association elections.
Nine candidates gave speeches explaining why they were running and why students should vote for them.
The forum, which lasted just under an hour, allowed students to ask the candidates questions such as why they felt they were qualified, and what they might do if elected.
The following is a summary of each candidate’s goals and ideas presented at the forum, as well as their background at the College.
Matthew Eisner
Running for Director of
Special Interest Groups
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Eisner is currently a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. In his time at Saint Rose, he has been heavily involved in several organizations on campus.
Most recently, Eisner was hired as a Resident Assistant on campus and currently oversees and ensures the safety and general well being of students in McCormick Hall on Western Avenue.
He advertised himself as a major advocate for students. Last year, Eisner won the Presidential Award for Diversity, a commendation he does not take lightly.
As an undergrad, he founded Free of Fear, a sexual assault awareness organization that advocates for victims and invites open conversation about one of the more difficult topics of conversation in society today.
Eisner also holds the postion of president for Identity, an LGBTQ club on campus. He previously served as Vice President of the club.
He has been a major advocate for gender neutral bathrooms, as well as gender inclusive residence halls.
“I know I can change the world for some people, and that’s good enough for me,” Eisner said.
Eisner recognizes that in many ways, the College has a long way to go.
“Motive does matter,” he said. “I promise I will try my very best.”
Alexis Ginder
Running for Director of
Special Interest Groups
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Ginder is currently a sophomore at the College majoring in Psychology with a minor in Public Health. In her time at Saint Rose, she has been part of multiple clubs and organizations, including Colleges Against Cancer, Environmental Club, Student Events Board and Student Association.
She has worked as a Pathways Leader and is also an active member of the Community Service office.
Ginder said her major goals are improving attendance for events and club meetings on campus. She plans to utilize social media and take part in more face-to-face communication with students in order to achieve her goal.
“All clubs are unique in their own way,” Ginder said.
When asked by an audience member what made her the best choice for the position, Ginder responded humbly, giving credit to her opponent, Matt Eisner.
“Matt’s been here longer and has been through more,” Ginder said. “Both of us bring different things to the table that qualify us for the position.”
Sonia Morriera
Running for Director of
Social Activities
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Morriera is currently a sophomore participating in the accelerated business program here at Saint Rose. Hailing from Brooklyn, it was at her high school, Saint Joseph’s, that she developed the oratory skills that would eventually help her become a nationally ranked speaker.
She sat as an elected official for all four years of her high school career, piloting several different programs that helped improve her school.
She is currently a Resident Assistant for first year students in Brubacher Hall, and has been an active member of the campus community since she arrived as a freshman.
Morriera said she attended as many events as she possibly could over the last two years in preparation for running for SA election.
“People bond the most over social events,” Morriera said. She plans to bring more students into the planning and execution of campus events in order to promote increased attendance and participation.
She also plans to make it part of her business to spend more time in the main lounge interacting with people. She wants to get it across to students that they can be involved in SA, even if they can’t come to the weekly meetings.
“I am a go getter,” Morriera said. “I am willing to go the extra mile no matter the personal cost.”
Morriera is running unopposed for the position of Director of Social Activities.
Theresa Belfance
Running for Director of
Academic Activities
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Belfance is a sophomore working toward a degree in Childhood Special Education with a concentration in math. In high school, she participated in many clubs, including Mock Trial, National Honor Society and Spanish club.
Belfance said those experiences, coupled with new ones here at Saint Rose, have helped her grow into a confident student leader. She is currently a tour guide, a Resident Assistant, the Director of Communications for the Council for Exceptional Children and an active member of SA.
Belfance sees academic activities as one of the most important aspects of the college experience.
“Academic activities help you develop your passion for a specific field of study,” Belfance said. “I’m here to help them succeed every step of the way.”
Some of Belfance’s goals include making changes to the community service committee. She enjoys the all-day service events that the committee already puts on, but recognizes that there is always something that can change. She thinks that extending the length of events could draw bigger crowds and increase the impact of the event on the community.
The community service committee is one that she would like to oversee should she be elected. She wants to give back to the many organizations that have helped her along the way.
Blake Vaisey
Running for Director of
Academic Activities
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Vaisey is a sophomore Political Science major with a minor in Computer Science. He is currently the Public Relations chair for the Environmental club and also participates in the Political Science club.
In addition to these two clubs, Vaisey currently serves as a Resident Assistant in Brubacher Hall.
“I feel I can do a lot to help the students of Saint Rose,” Vaisey said.
Having been an active member of SA for the last two years, he feels he has adequate knowledge of the structure and inner workings of the association and that this will help him should he be elected.
Vaisey’s major goal should he win the seat is to increase environmental awareness at the College. Centennial Hall and the Massry Center currently run entirely on geothermal energy, but Vaisey knows the College can do more.
He proposed changes to the recycling program, campus-wide. There are currently no recycling bins in the dining hall, and Vaisey wants to change that.
He will work with facilities and clubs to try and lessen the campus’ environmental impact.
“It’s important to show students that we are there for them,” Vaisey said. “SA has done a good job, but can do a better job.”
Although the environment is important to him, Vaisey said it’s not the only issue he’s passionate about. He promises to make sure all clubs have equal opportunity to thrive and excel.
Renee Kochinski
Running for Director of
Communications
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Kochinski is a sophomore majoring in Communications Sciences and Disorders. She currently holds the position of Director of Communications and is seeking re-election.
In high school, Kochinski served as president of her local National Honor Society while also serving on the Student Council.
Here at Saint Rose, she has been an orientation leader for incoming first-year students, as well as an Urban Launch Leader. In addition to her current position on the SA Executive Board, she also participates in Environmental club, Student Events Board and Outside the Box.
In her time on the SA Board, Kochinski has helped organize events such as Cookies for Commuters and PB and Jams. She said these experiences helped show her the importance of Student Association.
Kochinski hopes to continue working with clubs to help them accomplish their goals, and if re-elected, hopes to better connect students at Saint Rose with the SA executive board.
Kochinski is running unopposed for the Director of Communications position.
Alexandra McManus
Running for Comptroller
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A sophomore Psychology major, McManus was heavily involved in student government in high school, including serving as class treasurer.
Upon arriving at Saint Rose, McManus was immediately interested in becoming a part of Student Association. She currently serves as Comptroller and remembers being extremely excited when she found out she had been elected last spring.
Through her position, McManus said she has learned efficiency and professionalism. Before taking over the position, she shadowed and learned from her predecessor and thanks this experience for helping prepare her for the position.
She knows the ins and outs of the position, and said she is running again because she “enjoyed it so much” the first time.
Should she be re-elected, she would like to make changes to club council, an annual training seminar for all executive board members for clubs on campus. She would also like to maintain better relationships with clubs.
McManus said she can improve upon her communication skills as well as her time management skills and plans to do so if re-elected.
“I am fully committed to make SA a priority and to make it that best that it can be,” McManus said.
McManus is running unopposed for the Comptroller position.
David Judd
Running for President
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Judd is a medical technology studies major at the College who is currently in his third year of education.
He is currently the director of Academic Activities and oversees 16 academic clubs. In addition to his duties as director, he also presides over the Community Service committee.
Judd and his committee held four events this year, including two brand-new events, Warm Hearts Creative Minds and Veterans Appreciation week.
Throughout his academic career, he has taken no fewer than 17 credits while also serving as a tour guide and maintaining a work study job. In the coming fall semester, Judd plans to only take 12 or 13 credits, which would allow him to devote a greater amount of time to Student Association and the campus community.
Should he be elected, he hopes to better communicate with students by listening to their concerns and addressing them promptly. He also wants to help students become better leaders on and off campus by promoting leadership and social awareness.
He said one way he would do this would be to hold office hours in the main lounge at least once a week. He hopes this will encourage students to speak up about what’s bothering them on campus.
He also proposed holding monthly training sessions for students on campus. Training topics would range from diversity and leadership to safe zone and time management and would be open to all students who were interested.
“I have a focus of community,” Judd said. “We need to bind together and accept everyone for who they are.”
Judd recognized that on some days, there may not be enough time for him to manage everything on his plate, but believes that the lessened credit load will help him.
Vito Van Dunk
Running for President
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Van Dunk is a sophomore marketing major at the College. He credits his leadership experience to his involvement in high school. He sat on the class executive board for three years and led multiple clubs and organizations.
When he arrived at Saint Rose, he knew right away he wanted to be involved. He participated in the Pathways program and now is involved in Identity, Student Events Board and Student Association.
As an online ambassador for the College, Van Dunk has gained ample social media experience that he plans to use in trying to get more first and second year students involved on campus.
As Director of Social Activities, Van Dunk said he’s seen many student populations. He has put on two club and activity fairs and two blood drives, as well as planned this year’s Fear Fest and upcoming spring concert, Rose Rock. He wants to bring all of this experience to the position of SA president.
Van Dunk feels that SA lacks diversity and plans to change that should he be elected.
“People have become silent,” Van Dunk said. “I want to see that change.”
Van Dunk plans to “get out there” and talk to students. He wants to give student who can’t fully commit to SA a voice.
“I am the best choice because I do have a lot of different experience that I can bring to the table,” Van Dunk said.
Voting for next year’s SA Executive Board will take place this week from 8 a.m. on Tuesday to 4 p.m. on Thursday. The voting link can be found on the Blackboard home page.
