CAMPUS NEWS: Meet the 2023 SIPASA Candidates
Top (left to right): Deris Nagara, Philip Crane, Aarushi Gupta, Yijie Frank Huang; Bottom: Michelle Wilson, Jonathan David Gomez, Christoph Lhotka
By The Morningside Post
This Friday, more than 1,500 SIPA students will have the opportunity to elect next year’s leadership of the SIPA Student Association (SIPASA). To learn more about the candidates’ different platforms and qualifications, The Morningside Post surveyed the candidates running for contested positions. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.
President
Why should students vote for you instead of the other candidates? What sets you apart?
Deris Nagara: I always believe that everyone is unique in their way. I see myself as a person with strong determination, a gritty personality, a passionate spirit, and a compassionate heart. I have chaired various clubs and communities on and off campus, including as the President of my University Model UN Club, my University Debating Club, my London School of Public Relations cohort, and my Indonesian scholarship awardee batch.
I have been appointed as one of the ASEAN youth leaders from Indonesia in various multilateral youth forums to provide recommendations for the advancement of people-to-people advancement globally. I have worked professionally as a community engagement manager with the government, civil society, and companies for more than four years. Should I be honored to become the 2023 SIPASA President, I will strive to deliver the highest level of performance that I can provide with more than nine years of experience as a Youth Leader, full of passion and compassion.
Philip Crane: Simply put, I am the only candidate who from the start has articulated a clear platform of achievable goals — all objectives that the student body will hold me and the executive board accountable for. It's a trust that I don't take lightly, and everything promised is what I fully intend to deliver on. As for the candidates who couch their candidacy in their background and past accomplishments, I can't help but think: "who gives a sh—t?" We all got into the same school, we are all peers here, each and every SIPA student is equally poised for leadership in their preferred endeavors. I'm sure the voters will see through that kind of empty rhetoric.
How will you ensure that the diversity of SIPA's student body is effectively represented through SIPASA?
Phil: I'm a generic white guy, part of the least ostracized demographic in the history of the world. I see any leadership role as an imperative to elevate voices who deserve to be heard, but face unique challenges doing so. We're talking about shifting systemic issues Columbia students still face — remember we're attending the school that introduced admissions interviews simply to prevent too many Jewish people from being admitted — but these bigger changes won't manifest unless we set the standard here at the student level. For instance, I decided not to volunteer as a panelist in a SIPA Veterans Q&A session because I saw it as an opportunity for our amazing women and minority vets to share their perspectives. This is the attitude you can expect from my executive board to promote SIPA's greatest strength — its diversity.
Deris: SIPA encompasses diverse, exceptional, and sophisticated students from all over the world. The diversity of SIPA’s student body is effectively represented through SIPASA because it reflects the meaning of Unity in Diversity. Therefore, my programs and plans focus on community empowerment, engagement, and communication. United as one, one SIPA community.
Many SIPA and Columbia students went on strike last year to successfully secure a new employment contract. If elected, how will you support student workers to ensure SIPA upholds this new contract?
Phil: I am all about empowering student workers. My first order of business would be to establish a student worker/work-study committee chair to ensure work-related concerns always have a seat at the table. No SIPA student should have to worry about unfair work policies or unacceptable wages at any point in their studies. We are literally paying them to be here. My message to the administration is clear: don't tempt me with an excuse for some quality civil disobedience.
Deris: I would like to conduct a forum group discussion between student workers and the administration to share what the administration has to hear from us. I would like SIPASA to also have a monthly discussion with the administration on what we can improve to support student workers in collective bargaining, sharing the common goal of creating a stronger Columbia, in order to secure the employment contract.
Recent controversy broke out regarding a SIPA class and the Harlem community. What do you envision for SIPA’s relationship with Harlem, and what specific actions will you take as president?
Deris: As a SIPA student and President of SIPASA, I would like to maintain a peaceful relationship by having a dialogue between the Harlem community and SIPA, which aims to discuss what SIPA can do and not do during the educational process on a community-focused project or field initiatives. Engage and listen to the Harlem community. Having collaboration with the local residents of Harlem is also important to learn from them because the one who actually knows better is the local. Mutual understanding and respect has to be built in the very first place. The main objective of one of the Urban Policy courses is to analyze the problem or research challenges identified by the community and make recommendations to stakeholders as part of the educational process.
Phil: The irony of that entire episode is the initial backlash against the viral tweet as being "riddled with falsehood." That default to discredit an African American voice in concern for Harlem is exactly why this is an issue. Shame on Sam Mattingly with the 125th Business Improvement District.
In fact, in addition to re-evaluating Columbia's relationship with Harlem, I will pressure the administration to rethink the elitist buzz words like "smart city" and "co-design" that really just serve as a nice way to say "commercialize." Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo’s response was too weak. I look forward to a discussion with her to discover why a SIPA-sponsored gentrification project is more important than delivering the $10 million for affordable housing promised after displacing residents for the new Manhattanville Campus.
Is there anything else important you'd like to share?
Phil: Please everyone come to the November 17th debate! Come armed with your spiciest questions to see for yourself who will perform for YOU under pressure.
Deris: I would like to echo the voices of SIPA students and empower them through various activities. With SIPASA, I believe this will become a platform for us to echo our voices as sophisticated and bright SIPA students on a variety of causes and advocacy, in collaboration with all students and organizations with the hope to bring inclusive changes within us — united as one SIPA community. The following are some of my programs to enhance community engagement and empowerment:
Optimizing the interconnection between SIPA group activities
Enhancing communication between the SIPA administration, SIPASA, and students regarding events and activities
A mental health day dedicated to providing awareness and resources to students and faculty
Optimize SIPA community services and volunteer. Rebrand #SIPAHereForYou through community and social services, community development, etc.
Vice President
Why should students vote for you instead of the other candidate? What sets you apart?
Aarushi Gupta: My prior experience of interacting and working with the SIPA administration definitely sets me apart. Ever since I got to Columbia, I have been working closely with the administration to set up period products across all washrooms at SIPA. While the fight is far from over, Columbia has finally accepted my proposal and is now launching a campus-wide program to stock women's washrooms with period products!
Yijie Frank Huang: Before school even began, I started promoting the welfare of my fellow students: I have been advocating for more transparency on the mandatory $1,308 Health Service Fee charged to all students and international students’ right to access affordable health insurance.
The majority of SIPA’s students are international, representing more than 80 countries, but they receive unequal treatment from Columbia Health on the insurance waiver policy. Back in July, I initiated the petition which urges Columbia Health to allow international students to waive their expensive $4,189 insurance with much more affordable options. The movement has achieved huge progress as we’ve gathered 800+ signatures across different schools at Columbia, and we also successfully obtained the official support of SIPASA and Columbia Law School’s Senate.
Additionally, I work closely with SIPASA and currently serve as SIPA’s representative to the Student Health Advisory Committee. I’ve been pushing forward the goals of removing the unfair insurance waiver policy and expanding drop-in wellness counseling services at SIPA for all students. The movement has made me experienced in advocating on behalf of fellow students, reaching out to different Columbia schools and the NY State Senate, and engaging with the university administration. I aim to use the accumulated network and resources to realize my campaign goals and enrich our SIPA experience.
How will you ensure that the diversity of SIPA's student body is effectively represented through SIPASA?
Frank: I am surprised no one is running for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair this year. Being your VP, I will make sure to promote the position using all available means and conduct a recruitment within a month. I will also work closely with the DEI Chair to set up a survey (with an anonymous option) which collects concerns and feedback, and we will host a monthly roundtable open to the public to discuss how SIPASA can work better to embrace the core values of DEI.
Aarushi: I plan on setting up a Disability Justice chair in SIPASA to ensure that issues of accessibility for varied disabilities are represented and discussed with the respect they deserve. I want to expand the DEI chair to include sub-chairs aimed at representing diverse regional communities, concerns, and ideas for more effective integration into the SIPA community. These sub-chairs can also work together to formulate cultural exchange programs and potluck socials via SIPASA!
If elected, you will have responsibility for next year’s SIPASA elections. How will you increase voter turnout at SIPA and encourage a more diverse range of candidates to run next year?
Aarushi: This election cycle is a bit disappointing as I am the only woman running for any of the executive board positions (President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and University Senator). To ensure greater diversity in next year's elections, I aim to hold SIPASA-sponsored informal socials about what SIPASA does and how it interacts with the administration. I believe that by vocally representing and taking action on a more diverse repertoire of issues this year, students will be encouraged to engage with SIPASA a lot more and expand its agenda.
Frank: Firstly, in order to increase the voter turnout, I will extend the voting period from one to three days to provide more time to vote. Secondly, I will encourage faculty to announce the voting information before or after classes to remind students. Thirdly, I will make sure to maximize the election’s exposure by setting up physical reminders across IAB and working closely with OSA to post digital reminders via all means, such as the OSA Newsletter, SIPASA Special Cable, and social media platforms.
To encourage a more diverse range of candidates to run for future elections: Firstly, I will actively attend orientation events with incoming SIPA students and make sure the student body is aware of SIPASA’s presence and importance. Secondly, I will work diligently with my colleagues to host great events and ensure everyone has a positive experience, so students stay connected with SIPASA. Of course we will be open to concerns and feedback so we can constantly improve. Thirdly, I will ensure to collaborate with OSA and the university to implement diversity training programs for our fellow students.
Is there anything else important you'd like to share?
Aarushi: I'm someone that's very introverted, but that has never meant that I don't have huge things to say! I believe that some of the best leaders are introverts — who observe, listen, and act. I am confident that my proclivity for persistently engaging with the administration, coupled with the fact that I run my own NGO in the field of menstrual health will enable me to make our lives at SIPA a little bit easier.
Frank: As someone who embraces the core values of inclusion, equity, diversity, and accountability, I have been promoting your welfare well before school started. You can trust me as a practical and strategic Vice President who can bring concrete results! I am looking forward to working with you and making our SIPA experience better! To learn more about my platform or if you have any questions or concerns, please click this link.
University Senator
Madiyar Nurakhmetov did not respond to a request for comment.
Why should students vote for you instead of the other candidate? What sets you apart?
Christoph Lhotka: SIPASA is about representing all students. I do not think that it matters who wins or who doesn’t, but what really matters is that students get the best representation that they can get.
How will you ensure that the diversity of SIPA's student body is effectively represented through SIPASA?
Christoph: Being an international student but having attended a U.S.-style high school allows me to bridge domestic and international student body concerns at SIPA. In addition, I strive to introduce a diversity overview board at SIPA to monitor decisions and activities.
Cambridge University's governing council recently considered a proposal to reject funding and donations from fossil fuel companies. If elected, would you be willing to introduce a comparable proposal to the Columbia University Senate?
Christoph: I would reflect upon the funding and donations structure of the university; evaluating funding on an ESG basis is important. I would advocate for a transparent review process.
Columbia University plans to end its relationship with local childcare center Red Balloon and evict the center from its university-owned premises next year. The center particularly supports low-income families and students from the local Morningside and Harlem community. How will you approach this issue as SIPA’s university senator and other decisions by the Columbia administration that affect the surrounding community?
Christoph: It is very important to include the surrounding community in the decision-making process at Columbia. The above stated decisions from Columbia have to be reassessed and opportunities (in terms of facilities and other support) should be provided in this and any other similar instance.
Is there anything else important you'd like to share?
Christoph: These elections are about student representation, therefore it is important that everybody at SIPA votes and takes part in this democratic process.
Executive MPA Representative
Why should students vote for you instead of the other candidate? What sets you apart?
Michelle Wilson: I believe my leadership roles and work experience in multiple management roles within IBM and at Time Inc., as well as my public service experience as a school board trustee for four and a half years, are distinguishing factors. This broad experience and my passion for fixing things is why students should vote for me.
Jonathan David Gomez: As a first-generation immigrant, I feel that I can relate to the experience of both international students and domestic students, making me well-suited to represent a diverse student body. Thanks to the opportunities available in this country, I was able to fulfill my wildest dreams — from making the Olympics, starting my nonprofit, being a public servant, and becoming a student at SIPA — I am the result of good policy at work.
What makes me different? I make things happen, I like to turn my visions into missions, and I will go above and beyond any limits to make sure that every student at SIPA is well-represented, respected, and given the opportunity to be heard.
How will you ensure that the diversity of SIPA's student body is effectively represented through SIPASA?
Jonathan: Meaningful change is only possible by empowering each other. Diversity brings different perspectives that allow us to move forward and see the world through each other's experiences. Being different is a superpower and I am committed to uplifting others’ voices — especially marginalized voices.
Michelle: The diversity at SIPA is a huge asset. I intend to reach out through conversation, social media, and surveys to all constituencies to make a connection and understand the needs of each to ensure that all voices are heard.
What previous experience in government, politics, or public service do you bring to the role?
Jonathan: I am a co-founder and CEO of the Flor de Mayo Foundation, a nonprofit based in Colombia where we support over 1,000 children throughout the country. I am also an Aide to the Mayor of Jersey City, Steven Fulop (a SIPA alum), where I devote my days to the betterment of my community. I am responsible for overseeing the work of every department, and 3,000 city employees, and most importantly for creating and implementing policies that move Jersey City forward. Furthermore, I serve as a member of the Jersey City Affordable Housing Committee, the Jersey City Global Charter School, and the LGBTQ Task Force. I believe that the skills I have gained while working in local government will be highly transferable to serving in SIPASA.
Michelle: I am an elected local official serving in my fifth year as a Board of Education Trustee. As part of the board, I supported the fight to gain fiscal equity from the legislature in Albany, New York. This ultimately contributed an additional $16.2 million in state foundation aid that was owed to the school district by law. I’ve also fought and voted yes to establish a $25 million capital reserve fund to provide an optimal learning environment for our scholars through capital projects. This experience can help fulfill needs at SIPA.
Is there anything else important you'd like to share?
Michelle: In addition to supporting the students as an elected board trustee, I have also co-founded a volunteer community organization called the Westbury Volunteer Corps with a mission to inspire and enrich the lives of the over 4,800 students and families by harnessing the good will, experiences, and professional expertise that exists locally. We are sponsored by several local organizations, including the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Long Island.
Jonathan: I lead with the following in mind: promises should be set high, but never out of reach. I am committed to leading with empathy, kindness, and courage. I want to leave a significant mark at SIPA together with my fellow students by creating lifelong relationships and building a safe environment where everyone can speak up. Dream big, and never give up.