State News: What’s your biggest priority for next year?

Stefan Fletcher: Obviously, my No. 1 goal is to expand COGS’ ability to help graduate and professional students in every college expand the ability to leverage COGS’ resources to make sure that we continue to offer events and services and funding opportunities that are beneficial to (them).

SN: In your previous two years as president, what is something you wish you had done differently?

SF: The No. 1 thing that I’d like to see more of is engagement with representatives. … I think as an entity, the COGS executive board has really driven the bus with the organization, and that has worked well if you look at where COGS was two and a half years ago. I have to also be cognizant of how we can collaborate with others and use the full array of talent and expertise that’s on the full council.

SN: What are areas you would like to improve on for next year?

SF: I would definitely like to see more attention drawn to graduate and professional students’ department issues and hear from department representatives about what specific concerns they hear in their department and how COGS can work with them. I think we do it well at a college level when issues come up, but we need to dig down a little deeper and look at issues on a departmental level.

SN: Despite the administration’s professed support for renovating Chittenden Hall into a graduate student center, no commitments have yet been made. How can you continue to push for this to happen?

SF: At some juncture in the next few years, Chittenden Hall needs to be on the forefront of people’s attention and priority. All I can say is the administration continues to maintain a pretty darn positive tone in relation to the facility, and I take cautious optimism from that. But eventually, the fact is funding for the building will speak louder than a general verbal commitment, and that will be the ultimate gauge as to whether we’re able to get this facility funded over the long term.