Justin O'Connor
Class of 2024
Justin O'Connor started attending UR out of Chicago in 2020 and began reporting for the Campus Times during his first semester. He picked up his involvement while covering protests alongside Henry Litsky and Alex Prideaux in the wake of the death of Daniel Prude in Rochester police custody. He started covering the Students' Association regularly before becoming news editor, then managing editor, and then editor-in-chief, capping off his time at the CT reporting on the Gaza solidarity encampment and related issues. He also did in-depth reporting, primarily on labor, for the Rochester Beacon, and he will be interning at The Buffalo News during the summer of 2024.
Administration
Recording shows University statement inaccurate about Gaza encampment meeting
The Campus Times obtained a recording of the April 24 meeting between Gaza solidarity encampment protesters and administrators. A look inside the discussions. Read More
accountability
Bader-Gregory and Lopez to lead SA
Sophomore Elijah Bader-Gregory, current SA vice president, will serve as SA president next year after beating first-year Sammy Randle III with 63% of the vote. First-year Aliza Lopez will serve as vice president. After their victory, the Bader-Gregory / Lopez ticket plans to follow through on their campaign promise to push for accountability from the […]
SA Elections
SA Senate election won by everyone who ran
The executive race was the only competitive one in this spring’s SA election. Everyone who ran for senate positions — including three students each from the classes of 2027, 2026, and 2025 and six students vying for at-large positions — will serve as senators next year. First-year Senator Quinten Denkenberger will be returning alongside sophomore […]
academic affairs
Report backing financial aid for summer courses endorsed by SA
SA’s Academic Affairs Committee concluded that there is an “urgent need” for UR to expand financial support for students taking summer courses in a report finalized last week, which benchmarked the summer financial aid options offered at universities similar to UR. According to the report, UR currently only offers summer course-takers loans, which have to […]
Administration
Ceasefire and Divestment Resolution Passes SA
The SA Senate passed a resolution calling for the University’s Ethical Investment Advisory Committee (EIAC) to advocate for UR to end all investments in “war, violence, and occupation” and for the administration to publish a statement “explicitly recognizing the need” for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. “This bill does not only affect the violence […]
New York State Suicide Prevention Act
SA passes resolution supporting New York State Student Suicide Prevention Act
Pushing for university suicide intervention policies, the SA joined 26 college governments supporting the bill to safeguard student mental health. Read More
Israel-Palestine
Students for Israel talk devolves into chaos
Shai DeLuca's talk about his experiences as a gay man in Israel was protested Feb. 6, leading to chaotic exchanges and questionable claims. Read More
ACJC
SA’s Mid-Year Report just released. Here are some key takeaways
Here are some key takeaways from SA's Mid-Year Report, with a focus on accomplishments with tangible implications for students. Read More
Administration
SJP holds first protest of the semester, their largest yet
Around 60 people showed up to rally against the war in Gaza at Students for Justice in Palestine's first protest of the semester Saturday. Read More
protest policy
SA leadership starts bi-weekly meetings with PubSafe
SA leaders are now meeting with DPS with the goal of setting up roundtables with student groups about public safety and protest policies. Read More
