The Binghamton University Student Association (SA) is in full swing, and spending their summer vacation making plans for the next semester.

Last year’s elections named Dillon Schade as president, Zach Vigliani as executive vice president (EVP), Kate Tashman as vice president of finance (VPF), Amanda Baker as vice president of academic affairs (VPAA), Ruslan Klafehn as vice president of multicultural affairs (VPMA) and Bernadette Machuca as vice president of programming (VPP).

Schade, a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering, said that one of his first initiatives is to increase the presence of national movements on campus. One way he intends to do this is with the nationwide “It’s On US” campaign, which aims to stop sexual assaults on college campuses.

“I want to bring more campus-wide traditions that can bring our diverse campus body together,” Schade said.

He said he is also partnering with the Center for Civic Engagement to increase student involvement off-campus by incentivizing groups with extra funding.

“The idea is simple,” Schade said. “Reward student groups for volunteering in the Binghamton community.”

Also interested in encouraging community engagement, Klafehn said that he wanted to push for more students to register to vote in Broome County next year.

“We as students have a potentially large impact in the community’s government and we don’t use it,” said Klafehn, a sophomore majoring in political science. “If we got students to register and to vote, then we would be able to voice support for bills that affect students.”

Vigliani, a senior majoring in business administration, said that his office has begun planning University Fest and that students should look forward to fun activities the first weekend back.

“It is a chance for both new and returning students to meet one another and check out all the student groups on campus,” Vigliani said.

According to Machuca, a senior majoring in biology, her office is aiming to increase awareness about smaller events on campus and is also already organizing larger fall semester events.

“Planning for the comedy show for Family Weekend is in full swing, as well as the bidding process for artists for the fall concert,” Machuca said.

When reflecting on their freshman years, many E-Board members said that they were excited about new opportunities and increased independence.

According to Schade, one of the biggest advantages of starting college was his newfound anonymity.

“You are able to take risks and try things you never saw yourself doing before,” Schade said. “I was one of the only kids from my high school in New Jersey to go to [BU]. No one knew me.”

Vigliani said that freshmen should look forward to meeting new people and discovering different interests.

“I definitely liked the freedom,” Vigliani said. “This was the first time I was away from home and I was so excited about meeting new people and putting myself out there. Making new friends and finding those people who you connect with was the best thing I liked.”

Tashman, a junior double-majoring in biomedical engineering and mathematics, said she advises freshmen to explore new things when they start college in the fall.

“You might think you’re doing a lot and being involved, but there is always more you can do,” Tashman said. “It will bring you so much gratification in the future.”