Student Government Fall Senate Elections

Student Government Fall Senate Elections are taking place through Friday, October 6, 2017 at 6pm. The form to vote is available here. (You will be asked to log in in order to vote, but your vote remains anonymous.)

Senate candidates are listed below along with their platform and interests. Candidates are listed in random order as provided to our office by the Student Government e-board.

Senate Candidates 2017

Alessia Riccio
College: COM
Platform and interests: As a member of the Boston University Student Government Senate, I would focus my efforts on representing the needs of students from all corners of campus. I vow to listen intently to all perspectives, weigh the options and consequences, and remember the needs of Boston University students before making decisions. I will make every effort to connect with various students in order to better understand their needs and ultimately make Boston University a better place for all to thrive. Most importantly, I would work to bring the power back to the students who know what works best for their respective student groups and organizations. From what I have seen, students wish to have more information on how the university spends its money, as well as more power over how to spend money for their groups. I believe we can provide this information and create an equal playing field for all. 

Zhaohan (Oliver) Yin
College: CAS
Platform and interests: More information regarding me and my initiatives, please visit https://www.facebook.com/oliver.yin.75. My name is Zhaohan Yin, currently a freshman running for Senator-at-Large. I am majoring in Psychology and is a student of Kilachand Honors College who wants to represent the student lives of BU. I want to become a Senator-at-Large so that I can help carry out new initiatives and directly, visibly improve the lives of students at BU. I believe that listening, empowering the main body of a university, students of BU, is an essential element to bring reasonable, positive changes to this enormous and diverse community. If I am elected, I will carefully survey the students, accurately represent the public opinion, and address issues, draft proposals in an orderly and professional manner. Please support and vote for me on the BU student link. Vote for change, terriers.

Brigitta Call
College: CAS
Platform and interests: My name is Brigitta Call and I am a sophomore transfer student studying political science! This upcoming year, I hope to represent the transfer community and add more buses to the commonwealth ave loop, utilize and take more interest in resident hall association for more direct and closer liaison between students and senators, provide free women’s hygiene products in bathrooms, lower the price of laundry, better format the alcohol and sexual violence presentation to avoid and denounce victim blaming, hold more events to better integrate the transfer community, and most importantly, earn back the student body’s trust of student government. Our terrier community has been neglected and deserves the administration’s attention. As senator, I plan on utilizing my outside university knowledge to offer a fresh pair of eyes to both our student government and student body!

Ria Wang
College: SAR
Platform and Interests: Hi! My name is Ria and I am a freshman. In high school, I hopped around schools a lot, so I know what it feels like to have to get acclimated to a new environment again and again.  As a freshman, my goal is for the new class to know their voice will be heard within the entire school. Because BU is such a large institution, it is often difficult to unite everyone. Therefore, I want to cultivate the BU culture by binding the student body together and by allowing a welcoming experience in any and all activities you decide to join. In addition, I will make it an objective to promote social advocacy on campus, especially regarding female rights and gender equality. That being said, if voted, I will make it my mission to listen and help you out. So vote me senator, you can hit me up whenever!

Hodan Hashi
College: CAS
Platform and Interests: My name is Hodan Hashi, and I am a Sophomore studying Political Science in CAS. Though my family is originally from Somalia, I was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in Boston, MA. One of my main reasons for choosing Boston University was my desire to stay in Boston, a culturally diverse city that I have grown to love and has always been extremely important to me. As a BU senator, I would work to give existing cultural groups more opportunities to grow and develop a stronger presence on campus. I believe that freshmen representation can often be overlooked, so I would also want to use my platform to voice their concerns, encourage them to join cultural groups of their choosing, and help them to acclimate in any way possible. 

Nicholas Pisani
College: SHA
Platform and interests: Hi! My name is Nicholas Pisani and I just transferred to Boston University! I’m a sophomore in the School of Hospitality Administration with a minor in Communication Studies. In hospitality, we strive  to always make a guest feel at home. That’s exactly what I want to do with my position in the Senate of Student Government; I want to make all students at BU feel like this is their home. I would especially like to represent the transfer students on campus. Being a transfer student, we have a different perspective on college than a typical freshman because we’ve already gone through our first year. My overall goal is to help transfer student’s voices be heard on campus in every way possible!

Elliott Snow
College: CAS
Platform and Interests: All students at Boston University deserve access to same level of safety, comfort and education regardless of their socio-economic status, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity. As your senator I will work tirelessly to ensure that this statement is upheld by Boston University.  Boston University was built on the principles of equality and upholding fair access to education. However some of BU’s current policies impede on this principle. For instance there is currently no way to add your preferred name to BU’s registration page. This policy can specifically impede on the education of trans* or international student who may use names that differ from their legal name. I am eager to change policies such as this and any other policies that seem unjust within our university. All students deserve access to an equal education within BU.

Michael Meagher
College: CAS
Platform and interests: General student interest, Hillel, Humanities, Pardee

Christian Veneziano
College: Questrom
Platform and Interests: BU On-Campus Fraternities and IFC

Samantha Barish
College: Questrom
Platform and Interests: Hi Everyone! My name is Sam Barish, and I am running for Student Government Senate! There are many different reasons that I considered running for Senate, but my top priority is to leave an impact on the Boston University community. I have extensive leadership experience within the Greek community, and I would like to bring my expertise and knowledge to the greater BU Student Body. I will work for all students and student leaders to ensure that their voices are heard, and their ideas are represented. I want to improve communication between the university and all organizations, including Greek, multicultural, and beyond! I am approachable and eager to serve you all during the 2017-2018 year! Vote for me, and I promise you will not regret it!

Brenda Liu
College: CAS
Platform and Interests: LGBTQ+ issues

Ronak Shah
College: ENG
Platform and interests: The freshman class, freshmen engineers

Susanna Eylim Tamez
College: COM
Platform and Interests: As both VP of Leadership and Chapter Development of the Panhellenic Council and an active member of a sorority, I am continuously inspired by students’ desire and commitment to create a positive impact within their organization. Much like these students, I hope to advocate for change in the Greek Community by representing the Panhellenic Council in Boston University’s Student Government Senate. I hope to serve as the voice of all chapters by speaking to any issues that may hinder growth and development. The Panhellenic Council tirelessly strives to empower women and facilitate genuine connections, which I believe will be significantly aided by holding a seat in the Senate. This partnership has the potential to not only enact positive changes now, but also leave a lasting impact on the entire Greek system to inspire change and action in future members.

Emily Scott
College: CAS
Platform and Interests: Panhellenic Council

Parihan Ali
College: CAS
Platform and interests: Bystander Intervention, Diversity, Transparency

Carli Schmidt
College: COM
Platform and Interests: As the Editor of Off The Cuff magazine, I would like to represent all the publications and art organizations on-campus.

Henry Zeng
College: LAW
Platform and Interests: I’d like to improve communications between the Law school and the larger BU campus and specifically ensure the Asian pacific american community is adequately represented in community matters.