Close Up
First international student to lead SA
Nischal Vasant first became involved with the Student Association as the manager of the organization’ website. Photo: STEVE MORSE
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“When I came here, I made a decision that I was going to do everything I could possibly do and do it to the best of my ability since my freshman year here.”
Nischal Vasant hadn’t planned his rise to the presidency of UB’s undergraduate Student Association. It naturally escalated as a result of his desire to see the organization play a more active role on behalf of students. The native of Mumbai, India, became the SA’s first international president last May after receiving a significant 1,153 votes.
Until a member of SA’s professional staff told him about the accomplishment on his victory night, Vasant was unaware. “I hope other international students are encouraged by that and think that it’s something they can do,” he says. “It shows that UB is really that open and accepting of international students in general, which I’ve never felt any different. To elect an international student president of the Student Association says that an international student can represent the students as much as anyone else.”
Pursuing a double major in computer engineering and business administration, Vasant first became involved with SA in 2007 as its website manager. “As time progressed, I felt that there was more that the organization could do as the voice of the undergraduate students,” he observed. He decided to run for the SA senate in 2009 and was elected chair. At end of the year, he made the decision to run for president because he felt that it was a position “from which I could truly make the most difference and implement the kind of change that I wanted to see.”
Vasant’s vision for SA is to give it more relevance in student affairs beyond its activity-oriented focus. “I think it’s more changing the atmosphere and moving in a fresh direction. It’s difficult to try to uproot the way things have been, but I’m hoping to make some headway on that.”
A prime direction has been to establish relationships on campus between SA and other organizations and departments. “There is a huge opportunity on this campus to collaborate,” he says.
Vasant has been a strong advocate for student representation on Faculty Senate committees. “A lot of the recommendations that they make have to do with methods of grading and academics on campus,” he reasons. “The students have a huge stake in that because it directly affects how they function as students.”
Vasant recounts a promising discussion with Robert Hoeing, chair of the Faculty Senate. “When I brought up the issue of having representation, he was completely open to it and he agreed with what I had to say about the student point of view and how important that is in these decisions. I think most faculty members are sensitive to the needs of students, (but) to provide that point of view is essential.”
At the same time, Vasant discourages overzealous student reaction to a situation. “I’ve had students come in and say that this is a problem and we’re going to fight it and start a rally and protest. I say no. There are steps. Find out all the facts of the matter, talk to people about it, see what the other point of view is. Maybe there is a legitimate reason for what is happening. If there isn’t, then we tackle it to see what we can do to fix it and find a solution that is mutually beneficial.”
Vasant chose UB after considering schools in Australia and Singapore because of the freedom it offered. “The educational system in the U.S. is very different than anywhere else in the world, especially at the undergraduate level because it offers a freedom of choice,” he explains. “I wouldn’t have been able to double-major in computer engineering and business administration anywhere in the world that I know of. UB is pretty well known outside of the U.S. and that’s why we have such a big international student population.”
He enjoys living in the area, especially appreciative of the vibrant music scene. With guitar close at hand in his office, Vasant’s tastes run to classic rock, he says, including the Beatles, Guns ‘n Roses and Nirvana. He regards life on campus as vibrant in its own right. His one complaint is the winter weather, to which he was harshly introduced shortly after his arrival at UB when the “October Surprise” storm hit.
Anticipating graduation in May just after his term ends, the fifth-year senior says he is open to any position and destination. He feels that UB has offered him an unparalleled experience. “When I came here, I made a decision that I was going to do everything I could possibly do and do it to the best of my ability since my freshman year here.”
That includes the SA presidency, which he describes as a managerial, leadership position like no other on this campus. Vasant also is a member of the committee conducting the search for UB’s 15th president. He considers his appointment to the panel to be an honor and another opportunity to advocate on behalf of students.
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