Navigating Services with Vice President of the PSGA: Following Up with Jason Berry

By Shaya Silberstein

Since the start of the fall semester, Jason Berry, a senior visual arts major and television theory and practice minor, has been taking on the new role as the Purchase Student Government Association (PSGA) Vice President. Berry’s main job as PSGA Vice President is coordinating the student-run services.

Read our previous Q&A with Berry here.

How has the first month been as Vice President (VP) of the PSGA?

It’s been really fun of course, it’s been a lot of work as well. Mostly, my job has been making sure things are running smoothly, setting up the services with what they need, and making sure things are going okay. It’s been really informative, I'm really glad I got the opportunity to take a higher step in student government on campus.

One of the big goals you talked about was having students bring problems to the PSGA. How has that been working out?

Getting student opinion has been really important for me, I've really spent these weeks making sure things are running ok, I know [the] civic actions committee which I don’t run, Nellie (Nellie Duggan-Hass, president of the PSGA) chairs it, is putting out a survey really soon. We are doing more town halls this semester, more just going to clubs, going to people at the Stood, [and] asking how we can do better. As well as checking in with the services that I supervise, and just having one on one sitdowns with them, asking them what are some challenges you are having in these new director positions, [and] how can I help you. That’s been my priority, really just focusing on how I can make things better for the employees of the PSGA. Now I want to focus the rest of the semester on the student body as well. 

Berry in the PSGA office drawing on the whiteboard (Photo by Shaya Silberstein)

With this being the first semester for both you and President Michael Steiper in your respective roles, how would you describe the relationship between the PSGA and the President’s office so far?

It’s been really good. Mike [Steiper] is an awesome guy. Me and Nellie met with him a handful of times this semester. We're meeting with him on a weekly basis to check in on what’s going on with the student body, and he’ll check in with what is going on the admin side. He’s [Steiper] just been really communicative and really there for us when we need to voice our concerns. I really think he is a great fit for Purchase college, and I'm really excited to work with him closely this year.

What are some of your goals for the future?

One of my big ones is focusing on transportation issues, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) is also working for the cause. As VP I supervise the student Sustainability Coordinator Modesto Fontanez, and with him I want to make sure we’re answering the issues with the loop system, and just in general making things accessible. As I know people have had some concerns about loops, and the Metro-North. I really want to address the issues, speaking with NYPIRG, and my people as well. Making sure that we’re all on the same plan, a survey about that will be going out soon.

Jason Berry posed outside of the Olde (Photo by Sophia Pallozzi)

Is there anything new that you’ve seen as Vice President that you didn’t see after being Creating Arts Producing Epic Stories (CAPES) President?

I get to see a lot of behind the scene stuff, and I really do enjoy being able to see what goes into different aspects of the PSGA, Stood services and going to Senate weekly. I’m getting a lot of information on how the students are feeling, what needs to be changed and each day presents a new challenge, you just go with that flow. I’m really glad to work with a great team this year with Jessica Bullock as our advisor. I'm learning really cool things, and I am really excited to keep going.

How’s the relationship between you and Nellie as Vice President and President of the PSGA?

Me and Nellie have been friends since I transferred here in fall 2023, so this connection we have is only going to get stronger. We’re both able to rely on each other in so many aspects. The partnership has been so awesome, we communicate with each other about everything going on. Both of us are so dedicated to supporting the student body and getting your opinions heard. Nellie's biggest thing right now is focusing on sustainability and wanting to work with transportation and bring awareness about stuff that we’re doing. I think it is a match made in heaven to be honest, I've been so lucky to work with her.