RUSA Report February 5: Assembly elects new committee chairs

The student assembly held internal elections at a meeting Thursday to elect an Academic Affairs Chair and a Sexual Violence Education Chair after resignations earlier this semester left the positions vacant.

After each candidate was given the opportunity to speak, answer questions, and have two fellow assembly members speak on their behalf, the assembly elected Alyssa Lindsay as Academic Affairs Chair and Destiny Rosales as Sexual Violence Education Chair.

Lindsay, a United Black Council representative, told the assembly that she has personally seen the faults in the University’s academic system, and that she would commit herself to bridging the gap between student needs and the state of academics at Rutgers. Lindsay also noted her work on other RUSA committees, including the Legislative Affairs Committee and multiple elections commissions.

In her presentation, Linsay continued that she would push administration to modernize the University’s course registration systems, including WebReg, Degree Navigator, and Course Schedule Planner. 

Lindsay also discussed improving academic advising service, holding professors to certain standards of teaching quality, and allowing University health centers to grant absence excuses to students for medical reasons.

Speaking on her behalf, cook campus representative Isaiah Thompson discussed Linsay’s passion for advocating for students. According to Thompson, Lindsay frequently urges her friends to join RUSA as a place where they can make meaningful change to improve University systems.

Lindsay ran against two other candidates. Class of 2029 representative Rahul Rabinowitz, who called for greater transparency for student resources and to require syllabuses and general course materials be posted to Canvas at least 3 days before the start of classes. Assembly member Alex Lee stressed her commitment to student needs and her involvement in RUSA events.

Rosales, a University Senate member, stressed the importance of working students to understand their fears and needs when it comes to sexual violence education. 

In a speech to the assembly, Rosales outlined several community initiatives she would lead to connect with students, such as “Consent & Coffee”, where her committee would meet with students over coffee to understand their concerns around sexual violence on campus.

Rosales also explained her plans for an event titled “Break the Silence: Survivor Stories and Solidarity”, where students can hear from sexual violence survivors to raise awareness to those impacted by sexual violence.

Rosales noted other goals of her time as Sexual Violence Education Chair, including repairing bathrooms to restore privacy measures and making menstrual products available in more bathrooms across campus.

Rosales also ran against two other candidates. SAS class of 2029 representative advocated for the use of social media as a tool for education on sexual violence. SAS Senator Devaiah Poylangda called for the installation cameras on University buses and the return of the “Turn the Campus Teal” initiative, where people wore teal to show solidarity with sexual violence victims.

During a meeting last week, former Sexual Violence Education Chair Zuhayr Thange endorsed Rosales to take his position after his resignation, noting her commitment to sexual violence education and her previous campaign for the position.

Rosales and Lindsay were elected through a ranked choice election through Google Forms. Both races went to a second round of voting before selecting a winner.

Rosales and Lindsay will serve in their respective positions until the end of the semester, at which point all E-board positions will re-open for election for the new academic year.

During leader updates, RUSA President Christopher Godoy noted he met with University President William Tate to discuss issues regarding immigration enforcement operations on campus, as well as how the University can address those concerns with online resources.

Vice President Lily Sousa told the assembly the form for Spring 2026 appointments will be opening soon and available on slack for anyone interested in being appointed to a committee.

Senate Leader Tony Pichardo noted a low 33% attendance at the most recent University Senate meeting and asked University Senate members to make a greater effort to attend all meetings.

Human Resources Department Director Kayla Ferrante named College Avenue representative Carson Chen as member of the month for his consistent contributions and involvement in the assembly.

No new legislation was heard.

The full meeting minutes for the February 5 meeting can be found here.