Aspen Washington
If elected to Student Senate, I would push for a Student Meal Access Program that gives all students more flexibility when they need food outside of their meal plan. Students should not have to skip or work for their meals because they can’t afford it or have an unpredictable work and class schedule.
I would strongly advocate for new options, including a student-to-student meal donation system and a clear emergency meal process for students actively facing food insecurity. I would also push for these resources to be easy to find and use, rather than requiring students to navigate multiple offices or websites.
I plan to make sure financial circumstances never become a barrier to eating, attending class, or succeeding here at URI for both current and future scholars.
Iver Iverson
The goal of the Student Senate should be to ensure that every student gets the most out of their experience here at URI and that their tuition works for them.
As a representative of the student body, it is my obligation to represent students but also to act on creating a better college experience for them. I will do this by first advocating for the use of dining dollars for pantry staples again and working with members of dining services to come to a solution that allows students to get what they want with their dining dollars. I will hold the administration to greater standards of transparency and make sure that they hear the voices of the students and that every action they take bears those concerns in mind. Third, I will ensure that those clubs seeking recognition get a fair chance at consideration, and finally, I will take any reasonable measure that the student body wants to make their tuition dollars work for them.
Liam Fleming
I’m running to create a better environment for all URI students, for accountability from the university and for a better community
Erin Farrell
I want to connect the student population with administration to bring awareness to the challenges students face on a day to day basis. First, I want to address the situation with housing. As the University is working to build beautiful new dorms, it is not focusing on the current students who are living in dorms with no water, no hot water, cockroaches, mold, mice, etc. Next, I want to focus on the parking situation on campus. As an employee for TAP, I will be able to connect the rules and regulations of parking to the senate to bring to the administration to work to find a solution. Lastly, in the recent events regarding dining services I want to propose new hours and services that will benefit all students. I am an intern with the Nutrition Department working towards a Hunger Free campus and will bring this information forward. Everyone deserves to feel seen and heard and the student senate I will work to make that happen.
Ryan Capraro
If elected to the URI Student Senate, I want to help make campus life better by focusing on the issues that affect students every day. My experience in student government, leadership, athletics, and community involvement has taught me the importance of communication, listening, and working with others to create meaningful change. One priority of mine is dining. I would advocate for bringing back the ability to use dining dollars for grocery items, giving students more flexibility in how they use their meal benefits. I also want to communicate with administration and TAP to address parking concerns and explore ways to improve the experience for students. Most importantly, I want to stay connected with the student body and provide an open way for people to share ideas and feedback. I’m excited to bring a strong work ethic and a fresh perspective to the URI Student Senate.
Lauren O’Connor
As your student senator, one of my main goals would be to lower the food insecurity rate of students. I have multiple ideas of how this could become a reality, such as potential takeout options in Mainfare and Butterfield. I also believe that parking is a necessity for many Rams, especially commuters and those with personal commitments. Reduced-price parking passes can allow students to spend their money on other needs while here at URI. I want to be someone students feel comfortable voicing their concerns, thoughts, and opinions to, so that we can work together to make a difference here at URI. I think holding special meetings or regular Google Forms to collect suggestions of real students will be effective in bringing out meaningful change. By understanding the specific needs of students, we can work together to make URI a better place and community for everyone.
Chirag Hegde
My name is Chirag Hegde, a first year student at the University of Rhode island. Joining the Senate has been a consideration of mine for some time, as an international student from Karnataka, India, and as a staunch advocate for the rights of the undergraduate student body.
I am interested in representing my class while upholding the noble legacy of the senate, acknowledging the unique perspectives and calls of those who I may soon call my constituents. As colleagues and those with whom I have bonded, whether in the Badminton Club, SASA, or other spaces, I am enthusiastic to get involved.
Arianna Ahmed
Hi URI! My name is Arianna Ahmed, and I’m running for Student Senate. I’ve always been passionate about advocating for others, and one of my main goals is making sure smaller organizations on campus are given the same way as larger ones. Many smaller and newer clubs face challenges, with funding, resources, and visibility, and I want to help close that gap. I plan to create more opportunities for students and organizations to share their concerns directly with Senate. Additionally, I want to encourage collaboration between clubs of all sizes so everyone has a support they need to succeed. Above all, I want to listen, understand what students are facing, and work together to find solutions that truly collect our campus community. I would be grateful for your vote!
Leora Derenze
If elected to the URI Student Senate, I want to be someone students feel comfortable coming to when they have concerns, ideas, or needs they want to be heard. I want to bring more attention to the issues students face and make sure their voices are represented. My goal is to listen to students, understand what matters to them, and work to bring their concerns to the right people. I want students to know that their opinions matter and that there is someone willing to advocate for them. I hope to create an environment where students feel heard, supported, and included in the URI community.
