The University Student Senate (USS) swore in new members on Oct. 10 following a spring semester full of controversies. The New School Free Press asked senators, “What do your constituents need?”

Emily Li (any pronouns) – Chair

Li said they feel constituents need more representation and advocacy for the lack of resources and accessibility that students face. “I’m interested in representing students, concerns about program closures, concerns about resource usage, and also expansion of resources, especially with Parsons,” Li said. They said they will continue to focus and advocate for students to have the resources they deserve. 

Ryder Glickman (he/him) – Vice Chair 

Glickman feels constituents need transparency, especially from members of the USS. “[Students] need representatives and leaders who know what’s going on at the university and translate that to them to make it legible,” Glickman said. He said he wants to do his part in making sure that everyone is accounted for. He said supporting students’ struggles together could be a beneficial way for individuals to be heard. “That way we can hear everyone individually, but also play for them collectively, on behalf of us.” 

Aaron Scott (he/him) – Associate Director of Finance Committee

“My constituents need approvals for their funding that is actually transparent and quick and easy,” Scott said. “This year, we have a fully transparent process for accounting how much money is being spent, both internally and externally, with the student senate, and we now have fiscal policy that’s designed to specifically prevent internal expenditures from outweighing external expenditures.” 

An earlier version of this story contained an image of Afi Alexandra. It has been removed due to safety concerns.

Afi Alexandra (it/it’s) – Member of Communications Committee 

“Transparency of communication. It’s one of the reasons I joined,” Alexandra said. “I definitely think there are ways the university could better support students in terms of what they need to know in order to make informed decisions. So that’s mostly my thing, is gaining more access to information and understanding the context of how we exist as students in the university.” 

Ayden Bhagwati (he/him) – Student Senator 

“It’s different for everyone,” Bhagwati said.  He said student buildings should have extended hours of access so students can have more time to work, especially when they’re on tight deadlines. “How can we make buildings more accessible for students who have more work to do but aren’t getting access to the resources they need?”

Benjamin Helton (he/him) – Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts Senator 

Benjamin Helton is a newly appointed Eugene Lang Senator. “Accountability across the school is incredibly important,” he said, “particularly from administration, who seems to be making some choices that may not be in the best interest of all students, and also from the Student Senate. We need accountability across the school to make sure that everybody is doing what they should be and representing those that we need to be representing.”

Meyah Henry (she/her) – Student Senator 

“Advocacy here at the New School for students, queer students, international students, students overall. I just think we need more inclusivity.”

Valentina Fleischmann (she/her) – Director of Engagement 

“Students need a community that supports them and respects who they are. And especially in the political climate that we’re in, I think we need a New School community that basically stands with each other instead of fighting over differences,” Fleischmann said. She said she wants students to feel that they are supported and respected, and that they have someone to turn to in times of need. “I really want to make people understand that as a community, it’s always easier to succeed,”  Fleischmann said. 

Julia Hoffman-Douglas (any/all) – Member of Advocacy Committee 

“[Constituents] just need so much more support, and a feeling of belonging,” Hoffman said. “What motivates me, what interests me, is mentorship groups, whether it’s through the leadership round table I recently hosted, I want to continue those types of programming … [and] help bring into the space student leaders to be able to do that work together.” 

DK Kim (he/him) – Member of Finance Committee 

“As an international student … a stronger sense of connection, belonging, and transparency,” Kim said in an emailed response. “Many students, especially those far from home, face cultural, academic, and emotional challenges all at once,” he said. “What truly matters is open communication and a community where every voice is heard … The student senate should not be seen as an authority above others, but as a platform that listens, learns, and evolves with the student body.”