Brian Neiman
Candidate For Student Body President
Forest Pion
Student Body Vice President Candidate
Night Student Support
Our student body reflects a fundamentally different demographic and range of life circumstances than that of the University of Florida, and I believe Santa Fe has an obligation to meet students where they are.A significant portion of students attending Santa Fe are non-traditional. I have personally sat alongside classmates who come straight to campus from their full-time jobs every day. This school is home to working parents, career changers, and people fighting for second chances. Many have never had access to the stereotypical college experience yet push onward in pursuit of a better futureThose students deserve just as much institutional support as the ones able to be on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.That is why, if elected, I will collaborate with the Saints Care Department and the Learning Commons staff to establish a secondary pantry resource in the library, open once or twice a month between 6pm and 9pm, ensuring night students have access to food and essential resources.I will also advocate for the creation of a dedicated Canvas page for students enrolled in courses that begin after 4:30 p.m. providing a space where they can receive targeted announcements, build community, share resources, and connect with others navigating similar circumstances.These are not sweeping, one-size-fits-all solutions, but if there's one thing my work in conservation has taught me its that every action we take, no matter how small, can have a tremendous impact on the world around us.If we are going to create a new day at Santa Fe, we must first remember the students who carry us through the night.
How We'll Fight for Your Financial Aid
Here's the truth: Student Government does not have the power to fix the Financial Aid Crisis. We're not going to lie to you. We can’t rewrite the federal code, and we can't force a computer system to move faster. We can't jump into the FA office and their servers up and running.
But we CAN make sure the school never has a moment of peace until YOU get answers and clarity.We CAN make it impossible for the school to look away through tangible, realistic pathways.In the coming days, we will be launching a massive impact survey to gather the real, unfiltered stories of students facing eviction, academic ruin and hunger because of this incredible muck up and delay. We will take those stories directly to the Board of Trustees, and the President’s office.
As leaders of the Executive Branch, we will work with Student Senate, Faculty Senate and the President's Office to demand a public town hall where the Financial Aid Office must look the student body in the eye and explain why they’ve failed you.It is critical to us that our nontraditional and working students are granted the opportunity to attend this forum. Moms and dads working harder than ever to balance a family on top of an unassisted college workload deserve the same opportunity to be heard as those who can be on campus at 10 a.m. Therefore, we will be pushing for the town hall to be hosted at a time that is accessible for all walks of life, preferably in the late afternoon or early evening.You deserve that much after so many years of hardship.You deserve candidates who will fight for you to be heard and seen. Not left behind and brushed off as a "computer error"It is the job of Student Body President to represent ALL students before administration and beyond. And if that means being the one who won't stop making noise until they issue a real apology and a clear, honest timeline, we will gladly take up that challenge.We refuse to promise you miracles.But we CAN offer a voice that will refuse to accept "error" as an answer.We’re done waiting quietly. Help us uplift YOUR voices so we can finally get answers.
Additional Club Resources
With Student Government receiving a massive $20,000 budget increase this year, we have an opportunity to strengthen the organizations that make campus life vibrant. Therefore, I am proposing a Club Infrastructure & Performance Grant Program that allows active, engaged student organizations to apply for supplemental funding to support tools like Canva Pro, Adobe Creative Cloud, or other digital resources that enhance their graphics, marketing, and online presence.To qualify, clubs must have been active for at least two consecutive semesters, host 2–3 campus events per semester, and demonstrate a graphic design component where materials can reasonably be improved through Pro-level tools. Clubs must also maintain a minimum active membership, be in good standing with Student Government reporting requirements, be host to a santafe.edu club email, and have no outstanding financial violations.Funding would then prioritize clubs with measurable student impact and those that have not previously received software support, ensuring equitable and accountable distribution.When our clubs are equipped to succeed, the entire college benefits.
Composting on Campus
I am proposing a sustainability initiative designed to make composting accessible, dynamic, and impactful for everyone on campus.Historically, Santa Fe students have led small composting operations, collecting food waste from campus dining spots like Subway and depositing it into a limited set of compost bins on campus. While these efforts were exciting, they often ended prematurely due to student turnover and lack of formal structure. With this in mind, and if elected, I will work to establish a new sustainability initiative designed to make composting accessible, dynamic, and impactful for everyone on campus. In creating a structured volunteer program, we can keep the initiative active year-round.The program would use a flexible, modular volunteer model, allowing participants to contribute at whatever level fits their schedule.. Volunteers could sign up to collect food scraps, shred cardboard, or mix compost, able to sign up for just one task, several, or the entire process.Each role comes with clear instructions, drawn out and overseen by Santa Fe's Sustainability Committee, making it easy and accessible for students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds to participate. By breaking the work into manageable steps, we reduce barriers to entry and allow even short-term volunteers to make a meaningful impact.Expanding composting in this way not only caps waste and supports sustainability, but also empowers the Santa Fe College community to take tangible action on environmental issues. In building structure, guidance, and flexibility, the program will promote civic engagement, build environmental awareness, and ensures that each participant, be they student, staff, or faculty, can contribute to a greener, more sustainable day at Santa Fe.