Name: Chris Jackson 
Bio: Chris Jackson is a financial economics major who has years of experience in monetary decision making. He is currently responsible for finances associated with his jointly run car dealership that has been growing since its creation. His previous job working as a stock broker allowed him to benefit clients by managing their financial portfolios. He has been involved on campus in theater productions and volunteering at Community Impact, thus understanding the funding needs for student organizations. He strongly believes his expertise in the daily operations of a business would be a valuable asset to the GSSC and students.
Platform: -Diversity
Now more than ever, we must stick up for what is right. Developing an inclusive campus will be a prominent part of my position if elected. Student diversity is what makes the School of General Studies a great place to be. Empathizing with students of all backgrounds allows our hearts to grow along with our minds. As VP of Finance, I promise to open the budget specifically for funding programs that help integrate our disadvantaged communities.
The recent turmoil in our federal government threatens the diversity of our great campus. President Bollinger and the administration have pledged resources to help us get through these times as a community. As the VP of Finance, I would offer financial support to these resources as well as provide capital to initiate programs that fill any gaps for our students in GS.
-Accessibility
GS students are grossly underrepresented in most extracurricular activities. There are a few reasons for this: students often work full or part time jobs and many activities incur costs which for many students is better spent elsewhere. As VP of Finance, I will make sure that activities that are accessible to all parents, active professionals, military veterans, artists, and business owners will receive a greater share of GSSC funding.
As finals come around, we often hear about the stress culture in Columbia and pulling all-nighters in Butler. We have made great progress in the last year with reaching the administration. I vow to keep up the momentum in improving student mental health. We will not let stress get in the way of our success. I pledge to make funding available for these activities.
-Dividends
Most importantly, I will be here for you. As a small business owner, I know the significance of balancing options and making the right decision. I operate on the “10 times” philosophy: every ounce of energy and every dollar spent will bring back a 10 times return to our students. This may be counted in dollars or smiles, as long as we are making our community the best it could be.
Name: Daniel Gromis
Bio: Originally from sunny Los Angeles, I moved to the middle east for a year immediately following high school to find my place in the world. With renewed sense of purpose, I moved back to SoCal and worked in high end real estate development and property management. After three years, I realized something was missing from my life, and decided to pursue higher education. As a first generation American, I could not pass up the amazing opportunity presented by Columbia University, and made the move to New York. Outside of the classroom I enjoy all things finance, automotive, and mixology related.
Platform: If elected Vice President, Finance, I will institute an agenda of cost efficiency and revenue maximization which will allow for expanded programs and an upgraded sense of community within the GS student body.
I will use my years of negotiation skills and deal brokering experience to maximize costs and fight for more efficient use of GSSC’s money.
I plan to use my years of experience dealing with contracts to personally and effectively review all contracts, eliminating all possible inefficiencies. For example, it has come to my attention that certain contract(s) have been signed and accepted by GSSC in the past, without proper review, that did not contain all required considerations, resulting in paying extra for services rendered.
To maximize revenues, I would like to create year-round positions on the Finance Council to assist with fundraising from, but not limited to: alumni, nonprofits, GSSC events, and private corporations.
One of the most common financial mistakes made universally is not maximizing the use of still-money. I propose maximizing the use of GSSC funds by safely investing—for guaranteed returns—money that is not being used and/or while school is off session, (e.g. during the Summer sessions). Examples include FDIC guaranteed short term Certificate of Deposits and United States Treasuries.
One of the most prominent complaints that I hear from General Studies students is the need for more financial aid. Therefore, I am proposing creating a special fund for need-based scholarships, in addition to the merit- based institutional scholarship.
Recently, it has come to my attention that there are students in our community who are in such financial need that they are food insecure. This is unacceptable to me, so I would like to create another special fund, this one for students in this situation to have money for food at any Columbia University eatery. Ideally, this process should be handled in the most sensitive way possible.
On a lighter note, I propose doubling the amount of formal school wide events, having one welcome back and farewell per Fall and Spring semester. Because the School of General Studies is a non-traditional program, naturally there are large numbers of students entering in the Spring semester, and graduating after the Fall semester. I believe having a welcome back and farewell event for each semester will benefit both incoming Spring and departing Fall students, as well as the GS community at large.
Name: Eren Villa
Bio: I am a sophomore majoring in Economics-Philosophy. On weekends I can usually be found trying to finish homework or copy edits for the Journal of Politics and Society (The Columbia undergraduate academic journal nobody seems to have heard of) wishing I could go to Mel’s,1020, or Bourbon Street. Or you may find me spending way too much on Columbia Buy/Sell Memes. I have been forced to learn more about excel than I care to admit due to exaggerating my proficiency on my resume. My greatest shame is that I seem to be the only Milvet who cannot grow a beard.
Platform: Develop and improve existing programs
Students in General Studies face many unique challenges in the pursuit of our education. While existing programs may not be sufficient enough to resolve all the challenges GS students confront in our daily lives, there are issues that impose heavier burdens on student life and call for continuing work. Issues such as food insecurity, financial aid, class materials, and difficulties affording business attire. Programs like the CU Food Bank and FLIP lending library are invaluable resources for those who utilize them, and deserve further development. Programs like the Clothing Closet, while admirable in concept, are woefully empty in practice, causing students to unnecessarily miss out on potential networking events.
Responsible allocation and tracking of funds
Any candidate running for finance chair would very likely commit to raising more funds for the budget. However, I believe this is a given expectation, and a greater amount of time would be better utilized by focusing on allocating and tracking funds more efficiently. The majority of funds come from student life fees, so at the end of each fiscal period, the funds should be at zero, otherwise, those are fees taken from students with no benefits returned. I do not mean to say that current or past finance chairs have been deficient in this goal, but that I understand my role of finance chair would be more akin to a consumption smoothing question on a Gulati problem set than an asset manager at Credit Suisse.
Interschool Engagement
Creating a more positive atmosphere at Columbia does not need to be accomplished by GSSC alone. We are all a part of the Columbia community and we sometimes face similar issues. I would devote time to identifying these potential overlaps and explore solutions which leverage the collective power of all our undergraduate schools at Columbia.
Name: Tanveer Hossain Bhuiyan
Bio: I am a junior majoring in Financial Economics. I was born in Bangladesh and migrated here four years ago. I completed my associate’s degree in accounting in one year at LaGuardia CC while I was the president of the economics club and the secretary of the finance club. I completed the College Fed Challenge at the Federal Reserve Bank of NY and I held a position as an investment analyst intern at Travelers. The GS family welcomed me with an open heart and helped me immensely. Now I want to contribute to this family as much as I can.
Platform: My name is Tanveer Bhuiyan. For the VP of Finance position our GS community needs a person who can make the best use out of their budget. As someone with an associate’s degree in accounting and as a financial economics major, I would be a good fit for the position. I excel in leadership and communication skills due to my experience managing a 30-person team as a customer manager in the largest telecommunications company in Bangladesh. Besides managing a public asset portfolio in the stock market with a 14 percent annual return, I have completed the NY Federal Reserve Bank Challenge and completed my internship as an investment analyst, all of which would help me to effectively allocate our annual budget of approximately $360,000. I know this position is time consuming but I am experienced at managing time. I regularly manage 45 hours of work, a full course load, and involvement in multiple clubs.
I want to make sure that each club, regardless of size and age receive the financial allocation they are entitled to receive. Many organizations work incredibly hard and I want that to be rewarded. If I were to have this position, I would encourage every individual club to meet with me personally to ensure that happens. Moreover, it’s hard to allocate all the funding from different co-sponsors and that’s why I want to create clarity for the decision-making process. I would adopt a live telecasting process for our council meeting so everyone understands how much we are funding for the co-sponsors and why. I also want to create a travel fund in aside from the JCCC fund. Our co-sponsors need a considerable budget for their travel expense. This will ensure their coverage. Also, I would make sure there is a sufficient allocation for the GS Council to have a team bonding experience because I believe in team chemistry and its effectiveness.
Above all, I have a passion for and dedication to my GS Family. The GS community did so much for me as a student who immigrated here and who wanted to be a part of the Columbia community. Although I am not holding a position right now, I still try to help students in the GS Lounge to find solutions to their problems. Whether I win or lose, I’ll try my best to contribute to the new SC. Regardless of the result, I will contribute and make friends through this election campaign and beyond. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Name: Vance Hu
Bio: Hi, my name is Vance. I am currently in my 2nd semester at Columbia, majoring in Financial Economics. I am very passionate about public finance and would like to bring that passion to serve my favorite GS community. During my time on the Executive Committee of my previous college, we collaborated with the Committee on Budget to improve financial transparency. When interviewed by the World Journal (2016), I commented on the privatization of U.S higher education. Now I am ready go a step further and assist my favorite GS community in allocating school fundings.
Platform: Hi, my name is Vance and I’m running to be the Vice President of Finance of our General Studies Student Council. The most important job of the Finance Committee, in my opinion, is to make sure that the GSSC’s financial resources are visible to the student body, the allocation of funds are efficient and the funding procedure is transparent. Based on these general principles, there are two major issues that I would like to address:
1. The Visibility and Accessibility of GSSC Operating Budget:
Based on the fact that GS only offers merit-based financial aids, it is safe to assume that our student body would need the most financial support for their campus activities and events. I am glad that the university has been very supportive of GSSC’s operating budget. However, the lifestyle of our non-traditional student body has made it difficult for them to be aware of the resources. The GSSC 2015-16 Budget Summary indicates that there was a $141,130 remaining of budget at the end of the year. I am sure the Finance Committee has been making improvements in this area over the year of 2016-17, but as I have learned as a member of the Executive Committee of my previous college, there is always room for future improvement.
My number one priority is to encourage student involvement by making them become more aware of some of the resources open to them, and the ease of accessing those resources. I will make myself available in-person, through email, and possibly during weekly office hours to listen to the concerns of student groups that need funding and help them navigate the funding structures of the school.
2. The Efficiency of the Use of the Operating Budget:
The most important step to insure efficiency is to keep track of and analyze previous events funded by GSSC. I would like to make sure that after each event, I will keep in touch with the student group and collect feedback on how I may improve my advisement for future budget proposals. In particular, I will work with groups that are planning large-scale events in order to help them avoid some of the funding pitfalls that have plagued other events in the past.
Besides the traditional categories of allocations, such as cosponsorships, I would also like to improve communication between the finance community and different student groups to see if there they have plans for activities that will improve our student body’s non-traditional college experience. This idea came up to me because I have participated in events held by a non-profit organization that opened lottery for students to enter the drawing for metro cards.
I will like to innovate and work to find new and creative solutions to the many challenges facing the student body. Together, we can make the School of General Studies a more accessible place for our non-traditional students.
Hi, my name is Vance. I am currently in my 2nd semester at Columbia, majoring in Financial Economics. I am passionate about public finance and would like to bring that passion to serve my favorite GS community. During my time on the Executive Committee of my previous college, we collaborated with the Committee on Budget to improve financial transparency. When interviewed by the World Journal (2016), I commented on the privatization of U.S higher education. Now I am ready to take my passion a step further and help non-traditional students at GS access to school fundings.
Name: Vano Beradze
Bio: Vano Beradze is a sophomore student at Columbia University majoring in Financial Economics. Vano received Leadership and Service Award from Columbia University for representing University at various on and off campus activities. Last summer he worked at Hickey & Associates, a global consulting firm, in the research team as a summer intern. From this experience, he gained research, teamwork, and analytical skills. When he isn’t busy reading about finance and personal development, he enjoys watching football and spending time with friends.
Platform: My name is Vano Beradze and I am running for the GSSC Vice President of Finance. I am in love with Columbia and the students who attend it. Since the very beginning, I have felt accepted, included and appreciated. This university made me feel valued and gave me an enormous opportunity to grow as an academic and as a person.
Qualifications:
Becoming a Vice President of Georgian Students Association gave me the experience of flexibility in leadership. It also allowed me to build organizational skills. Being a mentor has given me the ability to understand how to truly help individuals by having an open ear for their problems and knowledge and experience to assist them. Attending the leadership program workshops last year has given me a strong leadership foundation and skills that I will be able to use to chair and oversee the Finance Committee. Anyone who has seen me knows that I have no fear and I am determined to bring that fearlessness to bear fight for initiatives and matters that will improve GS students experience.
Intentions:
It is my goal to make Columbia more welcoming and supporting place for all individuals. I will work tirelessly with students and staff on initiatives that will improve the working of Finance committee. If elected I plan to work:
1) To expand funding for low-income students, students with families, disabilities, and working students.
2) To improve relationships with alumni to increase alumni donations.
3) To expand funding for clubs.
4) Increase transparency regarding students’ scholarship packages.
5) Work with alumni in order to increase internship and job opportunities sponsored by alumni specifically for GS students.
These initiatives will make GS more unique place and improve the lives of GS students.