HGSU-UAW Executive Board
Executive Board
HGSU’s Executive Board, composed of nine of your fellow student workers, is primarily responsible for ensuring that membership decisions are duly executed. The Executive Board also oversees the day-to-day operations of our Union by keeping us informed during General Membership Meetings, managing staff and finances, and enforcing our contract rights to ensure our Union is strong and running smoothly.
Each and every board member has been integral to our fight for a safe and just campus for student workers, and brings a distinct set of skills, expertise and organizing experience that will inform their work and build our union.
as president, my role is to make sure the opinions, needs, and rights of the rank-and-file are recognized by the University — and I want to ensure the next contract reflects our priorities. the cost of living in boston is very, very expensive, and many people in graduate school here are taking care of more people than just themselves. I know a lot of parents here, I know a lot of people who are sending significant amounts of their paycheck to family members out of state or out of the country, to medical debt, to all sorts of expenses beyond rent and utilities. the union is advocating for safe, livable conditions for people that Harvard’s investors profit from. I also want to make sure folks know that we as a union are pushing against the Harvard Corporation, and are not antagonistic to departments, to staff, to advisors and mentors… unless those folks are abusive, or acting as if graduate students workers are not worth the working conditions and benefits that allow them to do their work to the best of their abilities.
- What union issues or goals are you most passionate about? agency! shop!
- What is your favorite crayola color name? Wild Blue Yonder
- What type of tape or adhesive do you most identify with and why? packing tape, I am one slight breeze away from being a total disaster and non-functional.
Howdy — I’m Simon. I’m a Sagittarius (Scorpio Moon, Scorpio Rising), the proud owner of a 2009 Toyota Prius, and HGSU’s Financial Secretary. In this role, I oversee the financial health of our union and am responsible for communicating this information to our membership. I’ve previously been an organizer and steward within SEAS and am excited to continue building the HGSU community across Harvard’s campuses. Feel free to reach out via email if you’d like to chat.
- What union issues or goals are you most passionate about? I’m passionate about winning the best contract possible for our membership. This is a pivotal year for our union, and I look forward to securing better compensation, benefits, and rights for Harvard Graduate Student Workers.
- What is your favorite crayola color name Fuzzy Wuzzy (though Mango Tango tastes the best)
- Podcast Recommendation: Time Crisis w/ Ezra Koenig (technically an internet radio show)
In my first year I became involved with the Finance and Benefits Committee because student workers deserve all the compensation they can get for their labor. Through my second year I became more involved, including working on the fund rules and negotiating over eligibility with the university. In my position as treasurer, I plan to help link the eBoard to the FBC, providing a seamless communication bridge and fighting to allow all student workers the right to access their benefits at all times they are enrolled.
- What union issues or goals are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about making sure all graduate students get access to the financial benefits we contractually deserve. Being in graduate school is difficult, and by alleviating as many financial burdens as possible we can allow student workers to be the best they can be.
- What is your favorite crayola color name? Purple mountains majesty
My job has less set responsibilities than most so I’m able to pitch in where needed. I’m passionate about getting professional students involved in the union and am looking forward to helping us get a great new contract.
- What union issues or goals are you most passionate about? I’m personally passionate about the wording in our upcoming contract and thinking about how things affect people in different programs.
- What type of tape or adhesive do you most identify with and why? I identify as Nixon’s missing Oval Office Tape. Do I reveal damning information related to Watergate? Was I truly accidentally erased by the most awkward secretarial lean of all time?
- If HGSU adopted an official mascot, what should it be? A sea monkey
As HGSU’s Recording Secretary, I am responsible for communication with members about union news, events, and meetings. Additionally, I keep records of all meeting minutes and motions. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records allows members to stay engaged with union business, even if unable to attend meetings. Transparency and accessibility are central to my goals as an HGSU executive board member!
- What union issues or goals are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about social justice (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and continuing to fight for better wages and benefits for all student workers. I hope to stimulate engagement and excitement for the union among other student workers and continue to build our organizing power as we enter our upcoming period of bargaining and contract negotiations.
- If HGSU adopted an official mascot, what should it be? My cat, Opal
- Recommend a podcast! Crash Course Pods: The Universe
I am passionate about contributing to a union that is not only concerned about material gains for workers in the form of higher wages and benefits, but one that is also more politically engaged. I hope to be part of building a more militant union that is very involved in the broader labor movement and in internationalist causes such as Palestinian liberation. As the trustee of the union, I am primarily responsible for all funds and property, and conducting audits of the union. I also take up other projects as needed, especially relating to bylaws and coordinating general membership meetings.
- Adhesive Most Identified With: wheatpaste
- HGSU Social Idea: Halloween Party named “A Spectre is Haunting Harvard”
- HGSU Mascot Proposal: A spectre
- Podcast Recommendation: The Dig
