Because of internal problems among the previous Student Association’s executive board, this year’s governing body has decided to create a Code of Conduct to prevent future conflicts.
This Code of Conduct was written by SA President Adam Amit and was signed by all executive board members of the SA on Sept. 2.
“In previous years, office decorum hasn’t been as friendly or welcoming as we’d like, so we’ve taken steps this year to make our office extremely friendly and welcoming,” Amit said.
Jared Kirschenbaum, executive vice president of the SA, also believes that the Code of Conduct is a good idea, just as a syllabus is an important guideline for a class.
“The syllabus usually acts as a contract between the student and the professor, where whatever is written in the syllabus the student is held accountable for,” Kirschenbaum said. “This Code of Conduct is similar in that we are being held accountable for our actions this year and plan on keeping our word on it.”
The Code of Conduct comprises nine rules for the office, including: no cursing in a public area, treating all students and each other with respect and no shouting in a public area.
Amit explained that the Code is about respecting others and acting appropriately in the office.
“It’s just one small step to improve the way our government works for the students,” Amit said.
According to Amit, the executive board has been working together to make the SA office more inviting for the students.
“We are striving for any student to walk into the office at any part of the day and have them feel comfortable by any means necessary,” Kirschenbaum said.
This includes showing maturity and proper behavior, which will demonstrate the E-board’s professionalism, he added.
The E-board is attempting to fix previous issues and make the governing body more respectable to properly reflect the organization.
“Actions speak louder than words, and I hope that this year we can prove to the students that we are in fact a professional organization representing all student interests,” Kirschenbaum said.
The board is also working on drafting a conflict of interest policy.
According to Amit, all non-profit organizations are being required by New York state to have one.
He believes the policy will be ready for the first Assembly meeting so the representatives can bring the drafted document back to their communities, where it will be voted on.