SUNY Plattsburgh Student Association (SA)

The SA leadership is comprised of an Executive Council, Student Senate, SA Court and Committees

•  Executive Council

  President: Essence Hightower

  Essence is a Junior majoring in Sociology and she is from Freeport, Long Island. Essence serves as the President of the Student Association for the 57th Legislation. Essence says “Overall, my goal as President of the Student Association is to properly advocate for the underrepresented groups and communities on campus. My campaign, and the 57th legislation as a whole, is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality. My hope is to bring the campus together through understanding different cultures and educating ourselves on social justice issues such as privilege and oppression."
  

  Executive Vice President: Charlye Hernandez

  Charlye is a Junior majoring in Criminal Justice and he is from Monroe, New York. Charlye serves as the Executive Vice President of the Student Association for the 57th legislation. As EVP, Charlye has a lot of responsibilities, such as being the office manager for the Student Association Office. Also he had to appoint the sixteen senators to a position that he thought would work best for each individual. Also the EVP is in charge of the Legislative Review Board, which is in charge of reviewing any legislative problems in Student Association constitution, as well as assist clubs and other organizations in legislative issues. There are many other responsibilities as EVP but these are just to name a few.  Charlye’s goals as EVP is to help bring students on campus closer to one another. As a transfer student himself, he saw how difficult it is to go out and explore the campus, but with some help, he’s grow a lot thanks to the people he has met on campus.
  

  Vice President for Academic Affairs: Hanna Assefa

  

  Hanna is a Senior majoring in English Writing Arts and she is from
  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As the Vice President for Academics Hanna is
  responsible to advocate for the student body in any and all academic related
  matters. Hanna says her goal is “To create more avenues for Student to
  Student and student faculty relationships in regards to academics."

   

  Vice President for Activities: Lauren Safford

  Lauren is a Sophomore majoring in Nursing with a minor in Sociology and she is from Brooklyn. As the Vice President of Activities Lauren is the Chairperson for the Activities Coordination Board that consists of 5 committees that work together to create fun, inclusive events on campus for all students. She has the responsibility of overseeing these committees and making sure all students are benefiting from the events we put on. Lauren states that her goals are,"I want to get more students involved in the committees under ACB. If more students get involved there will be more insight on ideas for events for students and we can put on new ones events for students to go to. I would also like to create a new Fall themed event with various activities including pumpkin painting and a maze for students to enjoy.”
  

  Vice President for Arts: Erin Doescher

  Erin is a Junior majoring in Studio Art, BFA Painting and Ceramics and she is from Clifton Park, New York. As the Vice President of Arts Erin is responsible for implementing and coordinating all campus arts events that are sponsored by the Student Association, being the liaison and resource to go to for all those who are involved in the arts and working with the different art departments and community art programs to better the arts. As well as that serving as the chair for the Art Acquisition Board and the Campus Arts Council. Erin’s goals are “shedding more light on our three art departments, those being Fine Arts, Music and Theater. I will be working to unify these areas more with some branding and visuals so there will be a stronger presence and appreciation for the arts on our campus. I want to make strong art purchases for the SA’s collection while also showcasing what work we have bought in the past so students can see what kind of incredible artwork we have on campus and learn why we bought them.

  Vice President for Clubs and Organization: Amanogho Ugbodaga

  Amanogho is a Junior majoring in Psychology and English Writing Arts and he is from Lagos, Nigeria. As the Vice President for Clubs and Organizations Amanogho is responsible for representing the concerns and development of all clubs and organizations, including underrepresented groups on campus. I also coordinate the involvement fair and officer training. I conduct reviews for all clubs at the end of the fall semester. Amanogho’s goals are “my goal is to promote collaboration between clubs and organizations on campus. I would also like to bring back the gathering of club presidents to discuss and resolve matters going on with their club."

  Vice President for Finance: Rudaba Ahmed

  Rudaba is a Junior majoring in Economics and Finance and she is from Dhaka, Bangladesh. As the Vice President for Finance Rudaba’s responsibility is to oversee the Student Association fund of about $1.3 million and make financially prudent decisions through analyzing/approving financial transactions, implementing financial policies, and allocating budgets for over 116 entities on campus. Through this position, she works with various individuals such as the Executive Secretary Melanie Wyand, the VP for Student Affairs and Advisor for the position Bryan Hartman, the Senator for Finance and the Finance Board in order to effectively, efficiently and fairly disperse the SA fund to clubs and organizations under the SA.   Rudaba’s goals are “my major goals for this very vital position is to communicate a better understanding and transparency of how SA finances work to students, a more effective, efficient and fair use of the SA fund, and bigger and better events that promote inclusivity to unite the Student body.”

  Vice President for Public Relations: Smit Pujara

  Smit is a Senior majoring in Marketing, International Business, and Business Administration and he is from Ahmedabad, India. As the Vice President for Public Relations Smit is responsible for marketing of all the SA events and services. Smit is also responsible to promote the goals and objectives of the SA through several marketing techniques. Alongside, Smit also supervises the SA Photographer and the SA Graphic Designer. Smit makes sure that there is a better transparency and communication between the SA and the student body. Smit’s goals are “I wants to create a platform for students to be more connected with their student government in order to have more transparency and better communication of ideas and information between the two. I also wants to establish the role of VP of PR more rigid and make it more responsible since it is a new position.”

  Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity: Kira Paulemon

  Kira is a Senior majoring in Political Science & Latin American Studies and she is from Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. As the Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity Kira is responsible for ensuring that all services provided by the SA are running well and are being improved as much as possible. She is also responsible for having conversations, events and initiatives, surrounding issues of diversity and inclusion in the campus. Kira’s goals are “to bring about conversations and programs educating, and teaching the campus community about issues regarding minority populations that are present both on campus and in the nation.”

   

• Student Senate

  Emmanuel Akuamoah Ralph Cordeau Papa Dieye Bach Do Steffaney Jabaut Kervens Jasmin Kaitlyn Kenney Mac-Olivier Lalanne Joseph Mazzariello Shivangi Nakrani Rokhiya Ngom RK Patel Vanshika Patel Claudia Theagene Wilson Velez Blen Yirga

• SA Court

  The Judicial Branch of the Student Association (Often referred to as the SA Court), is responsible for hearing cases of challenges to acts of the Student Association and ruling on their constitutionality, cases of impeachment of elected SA officials, and is responsible for arbitrating disputes between the Executive and Legislative branches and cases concerning breaches of the respective branches' Bylaws.  This branch is made up of the Chief Justice, Associate Justices and a Court Clerk.  

   

  Dylan Spencer

  Student Association Court Chief Justice
• Committees

  Academic Affairs Board
  The Academic Affairs Board (AAB) is dedicated in representing the student body in academic matters. We work to bridge the gap between students and students as well as students and faculty. We work with faculty and deans of different departments to work out solutions for current problems on campus regarding academics. With their help we write up policies and come up with innovative plans. We set goals every semester and work as a team to makes it happen.  To join the board please contact VP of Academic Affairs Hanna Assefa.

  Activities Coordination Board
  The Activities Coordination Board (ACB) is involved in creating and planning events around campus for students to enjoy. These events include movies at Cumberland 12, trips to places like six flags, Spring Carnival and weekly Coffee House. The ACB consists of 6 different committees: Athletics, Special Events, Coffee House, Promotions and F.E.N.T., and the Concert Committee (films, entertainment, novelties, and trips). To join any of the Committees under the ACB, please contact VP of Activities Lauren Safford.

  Art Acquisition Board
  Art Acquisition Board is responsible for the discussion, voting and purchase of artwork to be owned by the Student Association which is also curated and maintained by the SUNY Plattsburgh Art Museum. Each semester the board must purchase artwork to add to the SA’s collection that is within the budget that will be a an asset to the collection as well as increase the value of the collection. Any student is eligible to become a voting member of Art Acquisition Board. After attending three meetings the student will be considered a voting member. The board strives to purchase strong artworks that will be displayed on campus to benefit the students and further show the schools support and dedication to the arts. To join the board please contact VP of Arts Erin Doescher.

  Finance Board
  Finance board is responsible for allocating SA fee to student organizations in an efficient and timely manner, and to ensure transparency of processes, deadlines, policies, and decisions. The finance board must strive to find a balance between funding what are accepted to be the most popular and deserving events while simultaneously ensuring that small niche groups have a chance at funding as well. To join the Finance Board, please contact VP of Finance Rudaba Ahmed.

  Legislative Review Board
  Legislation Review Board, is responsible for aiding the legislative process by reviewing proposed legislation and providing recommendations based on clarity, constitutionality, and potential impact. The Legislation Review Board shall assist any Student Association member who requests assistance with drafting written legislation or Student Association programs. The Legislation Review Board may vote to recommend a document or piece of legislation to the Executive or Legislative Branch. To join the board, please contact Executive Vice President Charlye Hernandez.

  Public Relations Board
  The Public relations committee is responsible for planning and organize all student association outreach and marketing for several events on campus and to raise awareness of the student association and the services it provides. To join the Public Relations Board, please contact VP of Public Relations Smit Pujara.

  Student Affairs Board
  The Student Affairs Board is responsible for providing services to the student body such as the Daily Shuttle Bus, the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course, the voter registration campaign and much more. Members of the board are able to propose programs and services, vote on them and offer them to the campus body. To join the board please contact VP of Student Affairs and Diversity Kira Paulemon. 
  

  Student Diversity Board
  The student diversity board is responsible for addressing the concerns of groups including but not limited to: students of color, women, religious minorities, LGBTQ students and more. The members of the board can do so through different means such as hosting speakers, organizing workshops, establishing discussion groups(student or faculty led) or any other way which seems fit. To join the board please contact VP of Student Affairs and Diversity Kira Paulemon.