As the majority of undergraduates at Stevens continue the fall semester completely virtually, freshman students are experiencing an in-person first year as many of them are allowed on the Stevens campus. In a time where everything is anything but normal, 10 freshman Student Government Association (SGA) senators have tried to adapt to college life and get involved at Stevens. These newly-elected senators are Dennis Vink, Glendon Chin, Isar Doshi, Jett Tinik, Justin Avendaño, Konstantina Pavlatos, Paulina Georgoutsos, Sara Deuidicibus, Sophie Roper, and Tyson Werner.
With last year’s senior senators having graduated and with no freshman senators elected until mid-October, the number of SGA senators was unusually low from the start of the academic year until now. However, not only are these senators restoring the Senate to a larger number, but they are also arriving at a time when they are needed most.
On Sunday, October 4, the President, Vice President of Operations (VPO), and Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) announced their resignation from their respective positions. This threw many freshman senators into a whirlwind of a transition. There have been many meetings about restructuring the SGA and how that may better serve the student body, and there have also been talks about a potential Pass/Fail grading policy, which makes this an eventful semester for the SGA.
Combined with the unprecedented virtual semester, freshman senators have had many new feelings as they start their first college experience. Senator Tyson Werner described his goals as he is spending his semester at home, saying, “It felt great to have been given the opportunity to represent the student body, especially given my unique position learning from home as a freshman. In this position, I look forward to working with other SGA members to fight the isolating effects of online learning by encouraging clubs and students to continually engage as best they can!”
Additionally, many of these senators have plans for the future and are excited for what challenges they may take on. Senator Isar Doshi explained, “I enjoy being involved and taking leadership to craft ideas that benefit others. Being said that, SGA is just something that would naturally be a good fit for me, encouraging me to continue being a part of the organization for all my time at Stevens.” In addition, Senator Justin Avendaño stated, “I have a lot of initiatives in mind, like providing free menstrual products in women bathrooms and a long term plan to change the urinals into a water free system that would save the university money in the long run and have a great return on investment in the short run!”
Although they are facing tough challenges at the moment, many of these new senators are receiving aid from their classmates and fellow SGA members. Senator Paulina Georgoutsos remarked, “Despite being online, everyone in the SGA has been extremely helpful in getting new senators involved and I feel very supported by my fellow freshman senators and the upperclassmen.” In the midst of a transition, the SGA seems to have integrated these members well into the process and have guided them in exploring their commitment to the SGA.
Senator Dennis Vink provided a comprehensive outlook into what it meant for him to be elected as an SGA senator, stating, “I felt overjoyed to be elected as a Senator, but more than that, I’m excited to get things done. At the end of the day, my position, your position it doesn’t matter, what matters is what you make of it.”
Image courtesy of the NYT
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