Greetings fellow CUNY students,
I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I had the honor of being elected the 22nd Chairperson of the University Student Senate (USS) in November of 2006. My time in CUNY has prepared me well for this position. Since 1999, I have held a myriad of positions in student leadership including floor leader of the CLAS Political Party, Graduate Student Organization Vice-President (both at Brooklyn College) and member of several Board of Trustee Committees. I also had the opportunity to chair the scholarship committee, which hands out approximately $50,000 annually to achieving student leaders, and students with disabilities. Throughout my tenure with USS, I have been a strong advocate for student rights, working tirelessly to ensure that the students of CUNY receive the best services and education possible.
As a student leader, I have always sought organizations which focus on empowering students. I believe that the University Student Senate is one such organization. USS is a student coalition representing 400,000 CUNY students. It consists of representatives from every CUNY college. The USS Chairperson, is the sole student representative, on the CUNY Board of Trustees, and provides a voice and vote for the students. In addition to serving as a student advocate, USS provides necessary scholarships such as the Merit scholarship, Donald and Mary-Ellen Passantino disability and immigrant scholarship.
In order to inform students regarding national, local and world happenings, USS holds several events. For five years, on particular campuses, USS has held CUNY Day to recognize the university, its students, administration and faculty. In the future, we will initiate and participate in Immigration Forums, Town Hall Meetings, Lobby Days, the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus in Albany, and the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
My goal as USS chair is to improve higher education and enrich CUNY for all students.

Sincerely,
Robert Ramos Jr.
University Student Senate, Chairperson
Board of Trustee, Member