Anna Lubitz's Reponses

Anna Lubitz

Biology Major Music Minor

Sophomore

1. Out of all the 16,000 students on campus, what makes you the most deserving student to influence the more $3.1 million budget funded by our student activity fee?

I am running for the position of USG President. This role entails being in charge and overseeing the approximate $3.1 million dollar budget funded by the student activity fee. As a presidential candidate, I would like my constituents to know that the influence over this budget is an important responsibility. If elected President, I want voters to know that they elected a competent, determined, and passionate student, who is willing to take on that responsibility and influence the $3.1 million dollar budget in the best interest of the student body. It is ultimately the students’ money and they deserve the right to see that money be put towards on campus events/activities that they want in order to enhance their college experience and connect the campus community. What makes me the most deserving student to influence this budget? The answer: my dedication, commitment, passion and true desire to listen and act in the best interest of the students at Stony Brook University while acting as an agent of beneficial change for the student body. If elected President, I will listen to the needs and wants of the students and incorporate the budget in the best way in order to make the SBU campus a closer community, implementing fun and memorable on campus events (concerts, notable speakers, etc.) and benefitting/supporting the efforts of clubs and organizations on campus.

2. What experience do you bring to the position you are running for? Why are you qualified?

I have been involved and have held many leadership positions in various clubs and organizations, including USG, ever since my freshman year. I have experience working with administration as the Commuter Representative on the Student Life Committee, I have extensive communication, time management and organizational skills reaching out to other students via my positions as the Secretary of Commuter Student Association, Events Coordinator in the Pre-Vet Society, a Commuter Assistant, a UGC Fellow for LDS, and the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2012 Earthstock Committee. Moreover, I work on the Weekend Life Council for Student Activities and have established events that help increase student connection over the weekends. Ultimately in USG, I have represented the student body as Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, in which I wrote the resolution to increase field space for student groups/clubs/sports on campus- this resolution made its way to administration and was passed. Additionally, I worked with the Dean of Students office as the student liaison to implement the Elect Her training session on campus which encouraged women to run for elected positions. But why choose me? There are numerous candidates that you have the choice to choose from…I follow the path of professionalism and I am motivated to get set goals accomplished. When I was accepted into SBU, I immediately wanted to become a member of the Undergraduate Student Government. I believe that if I am elected President of USG, I will be able to make a beneficial difference by representing my fellow classmates and peers by listening to the voices of the majority on a legislative level! I also want to enhance the college experience for students in SBU and the broader SBU community.

Throughout my previous leadership experiences, I have gained invaluable knowledge and I have developed a skill for getting things done successfully and proficiently. I believe that consensus, communication, and collaboration, among students, are important facets to effectively carry out and accomplish tasks/events/goals successfully. I will contact and reach through administration so that the voices of the students can be represented and heard! I believe in volunteer action for the betterment of another cause. WE, as students can make a difference in our school for the better. We are leaders!

I know that if I am elected as the President of USG, I will provide the leadership and focus in the role as an agent of change and improvement so that students will feel connected and involved. If elected USG President, I promise that I will accomplish goals, voice the thoughts and opinions of students, and plan beneficial and fun events leading to an exciting, memorable, enjoyable and successful year. Overall, if elected President, I promise to serve the undergraduate student body with full dedication and intent for bettering campus life and community; I aspire to engage in issues concerning students and contribute to the overall goals of the Undergraduate Student Government representing the entire SBU student body! I encourage the beneficial change that you want to see happen on SBU’s campus!

3. Is this your first time getting involved in USG? If so, why are you interested in getting involved? If not, why do you wish to be involved again?

No, this is not my first time getting involved in USG. I have been involved in and dedicated to USG since my freshman year at SBU. During my freshman year, I was appointed as the Assistant to the VP of Communications and Public Relations and during the Spring 2011-2012 elections, I was elected as Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. I have a true passion to make a beneficial difference on campus and represent the student body with the highest respect. I want to be involved in USG again because I want the student voices to be well represented, and if elected USG President, I feel that I can meet that challenge- I want to be the agent of change that acts in the betterment of student life activities, representing the students as the highest priority.

4. What do you think is the best thing about USG and if elected, how do you plan to continue that?

I think that the best thing about USG is the overall mission aimed to represent the students of SBU, in addition to recognizing and regulating student clubs and organizations. If elected USG President, I plan to continue and uphold the mission of USG by increasing communication efforts amongst students, building awareness about USG outreaching to the student body and holding more townhall meetings that would allow clubs and organizations to meet with executive council to ask questions and voice concerns.

5. On a scale of 9-10* (10 being the highest) how successful were the past two semesters for USG?

9.25

6. What are USG’s biggest flaws, and how do you plan to correct those? For those currently in USG, what have you done to try to correct those flaws?

I think USG’s biggest flaws, especially from hearing from many clubs/organizations and students as a whole, is outreach and communication to the campus community. As a Senator, I have become involved with more committees, such as the Student Life Committee, and I have also spoke to clubs and organizations about what they would like to see change in USG- by becoming involved with committees such as Student Life, and talking to undergraduate students, I have increased communication through USG as a Senator. If elected USG President, I intend to better and communication and outreach on a grander scale.

8. Do you think that putting on successful campus events should be prioritized over increasing clubs’ budgets?

I think that building a strong campus community should be the ultimate goal. By increasing the sense of community amongst students, there needs to be an appropriate balance between successful campus wide events and club/organization budget increases.

9. Representing the student body sometimes means taking a firm stance against administration policies. How willing are you to speak up on behalf of the student body, even when it means conflicting with administrators?

I am very willing to speak up on behalf of the student body, even when talking with administrators. I believe that we all have to find a common ground, voice the needs of the students, and work together in order to ensure success.