Student Union President Ricky Rosen '14 finalized his cabinet appointments on Sept. 8 after a search to fill three vacant positions, most prominently his chief of staff.

David Clements '14, the 2012 to 2013 Student Union treasurer, and runner- up in last spring's presidential elections, fills the top position in Rosen's cabinet as chief of staff.
The positions of co-director of communications and 'Deis Day coordinator were filled by Clements, Wenyi Zhang '16 and Sara Pedersen '15, respectively.

The cabinet appointments were unanimously confirmed by the Senate at its meeting on Sept. 8.

Clements wrote in an email to the Justice that he is excited about his appointment as chief of staff. "I think it is safe to say that our goal is simply to make the Union more relevant," he wrote. "We want the student body to realize that the Union is their advocate and always a resource. I look forward to improving campus life, club support, and our relationship with [University] administrators."

Rosen added three new positions to the cabinet this year that had not been a part of the cabinet previously, including the positions of executive director and two co-directors of communication.

According to Rosen, the job of the executive director is to oversee members of the Executive Board, and will be responsible for collaboration within the Union.

"Having been in the Union for two years, I felt that it was important to have someone on the E-Board whose sole responsibility is to ensure that other representatives are completing their duties, and to serve as a resource is [sic.] any of them need assistance," Rosen wrote in an email to the Justice in regard to his decision to add this position.

In regard to his decision to appoint two co-directors of communication, Rosen wrote that "[t]he greatest challenge that we face as a Union is how to communicate our achievements and initiatives to the student body-this year, I believe that we have found an ideal medium of communication with video updates, which requires a Communications Director to head this effort." 

Co-Director of Communications Jon Jacob '16 will responsible for heading Student Union Video Committee and publishing video updates to student body, while Co-Director Zhang will be responsible for maintaining Union website and social media platforms, according to Rosen.

"In years past, I believe Co-Directors of Communication were positions on the Executive Board, however, I do not believe that [2012 to 2013 Student Union President] Todd [Kirkland '13] appointed students to these positions last year," Rosen wrote.

Rosen wrote that generally Union presidents look at the last few years for guidance on what positions to appoint. However, Rosen also has the ability to put together his own cabinet based upon the needs of the Brandeis community and the Union.

As a part of this initiative, Jacob wrote that he plans to revamp the Student Union Launch Pad Show, which will now be "a series of bi-weekly programs that will feature multiple entertaining yet informative video segments" on the Student Union's YouTube channel.

Jacob's proposal includes segments that would inform the student body on recent initiatives from both Executive Board members and the Senate, although, according to Jacob in the email, it is still in its initial planning stages.

Rosen wrote that this program will be an opportunity for "Union representatives [to] recap the Union meetings, discuss initiatives, respond to students' tweets and bring administrators onto the show."

Jacob will also be fulfilling his role as Class of 2016 senator simultaneously. "I have no doubt that Jon [Jacob] will do a fantastic job as both a Senator and Co-Director of Communications this year-I would not have appointed him for the role if I felt otherwise," Rosen wrote. "In addition, many of his Senate tasks, particularly those pertaining to Outreach, may cross over with his work on the Executive Board and the Video Committee, which is convenient."

Rosen wrote that there is nothing stated in the constitution that prohibits a senator from serving as both a senator and a member of the cabinet. "[S]tudents cannot hold multiple elected positions, but can hold one elected and one appointed position," he wrote.

The list of appointed positions prior to the selection of Clements, Jacob and Zhang consisted of Anthony Nyugen '14 as executive director, Jacob as co-director of communications, Bethlehem Solomon '14 as Co-Director of Academic Affairs, Shukai Zhang '15 as Co-Director of academic affairs and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee representative, Owen Voelker '14 as director of office of student rights and responsibility and community outreach and Andre Bourne '14 as appointed Finance Board member.