Amid the controversy surrounding the Undergraduate Student Government, three recently elected senators from the College of Arts and Sciences are still optimistic about the upcoming Fall 2007 semester. USG senators are elected every semester based on the campaign platforms they release to the student body for review. Senators-elect Alexander Markow, Suhas Sreeharshan and Steve Elardo ran unopposed in the USG elections of this past March.
Proper ‘communication,’ according to Markow, whose previous leadership experience comes from being Vice Chair of the USG Reform Party and Secretary of the College Republicans, is the only way to combat the effects of the recent ‘barrage’ on the USG. The impeached USG officers were members of the Reform Party. On a similar note, Elardo explains that ‘presenting a united front’ to the student body is necessary ‘in order for any improvements to be made.’
Markow has far-reaching plans for his term in office including the ‘upcoming meal plan revision, fighting the ill-researched SUNY smoking ban, and the pending constitutional reform,’ he explains. ‘I [want] to be in the vanguard unit the USG,’
Sreeharshan, on the other hand, remains less sure of his plans for his term as USG senator. ‘I do not know the entire workings of the USG. But I still have a basic idea hearing from previous senators,’ he says. Sreeharshan, who cited his previous experience as a student government officer in high school, explains that he hopes to ‘make changes and propose ideas which could benefit the students.’
He did suggest, however, that ‘the first major thing’ he plans for his term as senator ‘is to help out more [student] clubs by giving them more money.’
Elardo, previously an RA at Mount College, plans to concentrate on the stated initiatives of the SUCCESS party, which he campaigned under. As a senator, he hopes to address the upcoming expiration of the Chartwells food provider contract.
Both senators insisted on their staunch disapproval of the recent controversy surrounding the USG elections. ‘It was a grave mistake to endorse him last spring as our candidate, as his character has clearly endangered not only the integrity of USG and my Party,’ says Markow. Similarly, Sreeharshan hopes that ‘future candidates would learn from this incident that dishonest activity by a candidate is not the way to become an officer.’
In an effort to clarify his commitment to the veracity of the USG Senate, Markow explains that, ‘it would be my job next year to pursue the same venue of impeachment towards any USG official that breaks the law.’
Elardo noted, ‘These events affect me not only as a senator-elect but also as a student. The recent impeachments removed incompetent and corrupt dead weight from the USG.’ He also avers the dedication of the future USG Senate body. ‘The senators and executive council the students elected for next year are good, committed people and I know the USG will run more smoothly next year.’
All three senators-elect consider themselves average students trying to make a difference. They maintain their dedication and confidence for the coming semester when they will be active decision makers in the USG Senate. As to the changes that will actually result from their efforts, the student body will just have to wait and see.
Suraj Rambhia contributed reporting
