Following the resignation of Binghamton University Council representative Willa Scolari on Sept. 23, the Student Association (SA) had to gear up election processes to fill the vacant seat within 15 semester class days. After filing their letters of intent and gaining 250 signatures noting student support for their candidacy, two students will be running for the spot. Zachary Herz, a senior majoring in psychology, and Ahmed Sultan, an undeclared freshman, will be vying for the position to represent both undergraduate and graduate students on the BU Council.

Pipe Dream sent both candidates questions regarding their platforms with their answers included on this page. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. The candidates will debate on Friday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. with additional information being sent out to all students from the SA shortly. The election will take place via B-Engaged on Oct. 12 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Oct.13, results will be certified at the SA meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

Pipe Dream: Tell us a bit about yourself — any clubs, hobbies or major plans for the future?

Zachary Herz: On campus, I have been involved in the SA as a congress representative for the Off Campus College Community and currently work in the SA Executive Vice President’s Office as the B-Engaged assistant. In addition to my involvement in the SA, I am a member of Greek life and serve as the Inter-Fraternity Council risk manager. Another club that I am involved in is the Hillel-Jewish Student Union. Currently, my career goals are to teach high school science, particularly chemistry or biology.

Ahmed Sultan: Since arriving on campus in August, I’ve already made the effort to get involved in several clubs and programs: I joined Model UN, having done it for six years in middle and high school, and am currently apprenticing at WHRW 90.5 FM, [BU]’s student-run radio station. I was also elected president of O’Connor Hall for Dickinson Town Council. Given my rather recent arrival onto campus, I’m still familiarizing myself with all the opportunities the University has to offer, but I look forward to exploring more of them as I continue my academic journey. In terms of hobbies and interests, I guess my go-to answer for that question is probably that I am currently in the process of learning the electric guitar (but I’m not great) — I’m a pretty avid music fan, and have some experience with other instruments, so I figured it would be something to pick up. I’m also into video games (big fan of Super Smash Bros.), but I don’t get to play as often as much as I’d like nowadays. Otherwise, you can usually find me on social media or reading the news. I recently made the decision to become more active on Twitter, so I’ve been enjoying that. In terms of plans for the future, I am honestly just “going with the flow.” I’m still getting used to the college lifestyle — which I am thoroughly enjoying! But given all the uncertainty with the pandemic, it has become difficult to really think about the future without second-guessing myself.

PD: What is your platform?

ZH: As the BU Council representative, I want to shift this year’s concentration to focus primarily on supporting the physical and social well-being of our student body as the University continues to operate amid a global pandemic. In a time of deep uncertainty, the need for our school administration to be transparent is greater than ever. If elected, I plan to work with the school administration to make our [coronavirus] resources more accessible, including increasing the accessibility of our testing program to students. As your representative, I simultaneously aim to encourage the University to improve the academic resources that students require in order to provide an inclusive academic environment. In order for our students to be academically successful, it is imperative that the University create a healthy and safe social environment. Continuing along the pivotal stream of students’ safety and health, the need for increased sexual assault education for all of our students is absolutely crucial in achieving this secure space. This student community cannot be supportive, safe and secure if it fails to consider historically underrepresented groups by the [BU] Council. I am determined to ensure that every voice of every student of all identities is heard and represented in the [BU] Council’s decisions. By advocating for all of these initiatives and utilizing the invaluable connections that I have made over my three years at [BU], I hope to further create a school community that is developed to meet the needs of our student body.

AS: As BU Council representative, I will put students first. Ultimately, I hope to focus on three major ideas: transparency, accountability and advocacy. Now more than ever, the University’s student population needs someone who is able to adequately communicate what is necessary to ensure that everyone is able to academically, socially, physically and mentally thrive during this unprecedented semester. I strive to be that candidate, and I believe that by focusing largely on communication with the student body — through organizations on campus, the SA, the [Graduate Student Organization] and just your everyday member of the community — I will be able to achieve that goal. As [BU Council] representative, I hope to be in close contact with all these aforementioned parties — perhaps even sending a recap of BU Council efforts and meetings (or at least advertising the meeting minutes, posted online). If elected, my first order of business will likely be a review of the student codes of conduct that were placed by the University in response to the threat the pandemic has posed to the well-being of our community. Some of these rules and regulations have worked out well and have played a significant role in allowing us to stay on campus for as long as we have. However, some have not. Now, we are seeing cases spike on campus and in Broome County, and our classes moved to a fully online format in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus. I’ll likely reach out to leaders in student government and organizations on campus to get a better understanding of what we’ve done right, and what could be done better. I’d also like to potentially survey the general public — asking them how these regulations have affected them, how effective they think these rules have been and polling for suggestions on what could be done. I think that’s a prime example of my leadership style — I like to gather a diverse set of inputs before ultimately coming up with a decision. I plan to use this strategy when tackling other issues on campus like promoting mental health awareness, expanding access to academic advising and resources and reviewing the budget — a major responsibility of the BU Council — to ensure clubs and organizations on campus are properly supported, which will allow for them to continue contributing to our campus community.

PD: Why did you decide to run for the BU Council rep. position?

ZH: I decided to run for the position of BU Council representative because I wanted to be a voice for all students on the [BU] Council. Over my three years at [BU], I have developed plentiful connections with the student body and University administration where I feel like I can substantially advocate for our school community.

AS: Honestly — and this may sound cheesy or cliché — I decided to run for BU Council representative position out of a desire to serve my community. I have always enjoyed being a decision-maker — I will not deny that — and I genuinely enjoy collaborating with others while working to solve problems. It’s why I did student government in high school, it’s why I have volunteered my time to work as a director of two nonprofit organizations (BlockchainsForSchools and Direct Health Access) and, most recently, it’s why I ran for president of my residence hall in Dickinson Community. It is this desire to make a difference, working to represent [BU] students and make the campus a better place, that ultimately compelled me to run for this position.

PD: What issues will you prioritize if you are elected?

ZH: As stated before, I will be prioritizing working with the school administration to increase our COVID-19 resources available including the accessibility of our testing program. In addition, the social safety of our students is imperative so that we can thrive academically. Other initiatives I plan to work on with the council is expanding the sexual assault education programs to our student body, as well as increasing the availability of safe spaces to our underrepresented groups.

AS: If elected, I believe that my first few weeks and months will be spent prioritizing the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic — working together with University officials and members of the student body to ensure that steps are taken by [BU] to continue day-to-day operations on campus. However, I also hope to work on mental health awareness and expanding access to academic resources — specifically, expanding and diversifying what programs already exist, and focusing on what could be done better. I also hope to achieve my platform’s stated goals of promoting transparency, accountability and advocacy. I’m looking forward to getting closer with the rest of the student body by opening a channel of communication for members of the student body to voice suggestions and critiques. Ultimately, I just want to work to make [BU] a better place, and am willing to take on projects and initiatives to achieve that goal.