Binghamton University’s Student Association is one of the only student governments in the country that is not a subsidiary of its university. The SA is an independent, non-profit organization in control of a $2 million budget. Check out the information below to get reacquainted with the Association’s members, before their positions go up for election in March!
ADAM AMIT
As president of the SA, Adam Amit, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law, has the job of representing student interests to the administration, the city and other students on campus.
During the day, he can be found in a wide variety of meetings related to the University, such as athletics, the environment, transportation or community councils, among other things.
“Basically, I work on every issue that pertains to students,” Amit said. “I love this University and the people here, but I also see a tremendous amount of ways we can improve the campus, city and student life.”
Following graduation, Amit hopes to volunteer in Africa and Israel. After that, he wants to fully commit to his passion of public service, in whatever form it may be.
JARED KIRSCHENBAUM
The SA’s second-in-command is Executive Vice President Jared Kirschenbaum. A junior political science major from Smithtown, Kirschenbaum represents the 200 student groups and nine community governments on campus.
According to Kirschenbaum, there are two aspects to the job. One is meeting people in the office and working on administrative tasks, while the other is going out and talking to student groups to offer help and support.
“I’m always there for them. I don’t care what time it is. If a [student] needs something, I’ll be there,” Kirschenbaum said. “This is my job.”
While the job of EVP is a big time commitment in itself, Kirschenbaum also finds time to play intramural sports year-round and watch “24,” his favorite show.
DANIEL RABINOWITZ
Daniel Rabinowitz, vice president for academic affairs, is a junior industrial systems engineering major who also plans to go to law school.
As vice president for academic affairs, Rabinowitz explained that there are two aspects to his job. One includes being the vice chair of Harpur College Council, where he helps appoint people to the Faculty Senate and Harpur College committees. He also advocates for academic issues on campus and can assist students with their personal class issues.
The second aspect of his job involves the Office of Student Conduct, formerly known as Judicial Affairs. Rabinowitz runs the student advocacy program. If a student breaks a rule and is charged with a sanction, they can talk to Rabinowitz about what they should do as a next step.
“Every policy I work on really affects every student on campus,” Rabinowitz said.
RICKY DA COSTA
Ricky Da Costa, vice president for multicultural affairs, is a senior double-majoring in geography and history who describes himself as creating “a voice for the voiceless.”
As vice president for multicultural affairs, Da Costa advocates for students who are underrepresented in the campus community.
Previously on the board of the Haitian Student Association, Da Costa has experience standing up for students in every corner of campus.
“I try to seek out instances where people may not feel comfortable and work with whatever contact within the administration I have available. I make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable expressing themselves however they choose to,” Da Costa said.
Da Costa, whose dreams include being a U.S. senator and traveling to Tokyo, has created a campus-wide relief event for Haiti to take place this week.
MATT ALLWOOD
The man with the money is Matt Allwood, vice president for finance. He is a senior accounting major from Rockland County who is in charge of any financial or legal-based issues in the Student Association.
One of his duties is to sign off on every cent that leaves the SA. He also deals with legal issues when student groups plan events and works with them financially through loans and reimbursements.
Allwood’s parents and older brother were born in Jamaica. He enjoys both going to Campus Bible Fellowship meetings as well as Hillel events.
“I’m in my second class of Hebrew now and like to go to Hillel and Chabad Shabbat dinners,” Allwood said. “I was really interested in what was going on with that culture. It all fascinates me.”
AARON COHN
The resident ski pro on the SA E-Board is Aaron Cohn, vice president for programming. A junior majoring in leadership and consulting, he leads the SA Programming Board in putting on Frost Fest, Spring Fling and campus concerts.
“Getting artists is like putting a puzzle together,” Cohn said. “We have to find out what students want, when the Events Center is free, when certain bands are on tour, etc.”
As vice president for programming, Cohn was responsible for the creation of Frost Fest, an event during the fall semester with food vendors and booths.
Along with Frost Fest, Cohn has also brought students together for large-scale events such as PostSecret, Kid Cudi and Third Eye Blind, to name a few.
The only left-hander on the SA, Cohn’s favorite color is green for the Bearcats and plans to one day be a ski instructor.
ELAHD BAR-SHAI
Last but certainly not least is Elahd Bar-Shai, a self-proclaimed super-senior majoring in philosophy who holds the position of Assembly chair.
Bar-Shai’s main job is chairing Assembly meetings every Monday. During these meetings, representatives from each community come to hear reports and vote on legislation. There is also a 15-minute period in the beginning of the meeting when any student can come to voice a concern.
It is Bar-Shai’s job to relay the messages from the Assembly meetings back to the rest of the SA E-Board and administration.
Currently, he is starting a Web site to put all legislation online, dating as far back as the 1940s. He hopes to have the Web site running by the end of the semester.
He encourages students who want to see change to come to meetings every Monday at 7 p.m. in the Mandela Room.