Naniette Coleman is president of the undergraduate Student Association. A junior from Westbury, she's majoring in communication and political science, with concentration in global studies.

What got you interested in taking on the challenges of being president of SA?

Part of it was the people. When I arrived at UB, I felt supported and that I'd found a niche. Part of it was my predecessors, who were doing positive things, and the students who were doing positive things. I also noticed things that needed change, and I wanted to be part of that change. You have to be part of the change you want to see in this world.

What's your biggest personal goal as SA president?

In a word, change. That outlines our entire administration and our goals and objectives for the year. There were a lot of positive and negative wheels that had been set in motion. The things that are positive, we want to expand on, and the things that are not so positive, we want to work on changing. We want to transcend the box we've been placed in-and sometimes put ourselves in-and work toward strength and legitimacy in the next year.

What do you consider the major issue students are concerned about this year?

There are so many different issues. Many issues are specific to students we have on campus. We have a diverse population with diverse needs. In fact, the other day we brought together a group of freshmen to find out what their needs are and what are the issues directly affecting them. They saw adjustment to college and commuter issues as the major problems, and we have formed a freshman committee to address those concerns.

What is the biggest misconception students have about UB?

That it's a huge institution. That it's cold and unfriendly. And, that people are merely numbers. Freshman year I found all that to be untrue. I was in a number a niches. I was a member of the soccer team, the Minority Academic Achievement Program, the Student Association video committee and the women's center. My interactions with those four groups on a regular basis made the university so much smaller.

Have you talked with UB's administration about your concerns and what was its reaction?

Yes, I have on numerous occasions, but not as often as I'd like. There are some administrators that I've had an ongoing conversation with and others who are not as easy to reach. I have gotten positive responses from some, but sometimes not so positive from others. But those not-so-positive reactions make us prepare our presentations better. It doesn't deter us, though, the not-so-positive, because we're fighting on behalf of the students. We're doing the people's work and we're determined to get there.

What do you think of the computer-access plan that will take effect next fall?

A major concern of mine was the 2000 bug, which I raised to President Greiner the other day. The university is surging forward-there's a technological revolution going on-and it's good to see the university at the front of the wave. Students have access to technology that wasn't available a year ago. With any growth there has to be responsibility. The university is moving forward technologically, and as long as they're doing so responsibly, it can be a great benefit to students.

What do you like best about UB?

Probably the people. When I first arrived, I pulled up to the university and thought it was Buffalo, it was so big. Everywhere I went, I met friendly people-upperclassmen, professors. I was uneasy when I first got here because it wasn't home, but a lot of people went out of their way to make sure that I made it. I was aiming to go home the first week. I arrived with the intention of transferring after two years. Within a year, that turned around because of the support I received.

What would you most like to see changed about UB?

The negative perception that is sometimes projected by students, student leaders, student publications, faculty and administrators. Yes, our campus was supposed to be bigger. Yes, we were supposed to be residential. Yes, we were supposed to be downtown. No, the Metro did not reach the North Campus. No, there are no buses to the mall. What we are is a work in progress. We're in a state of change. We're growing and expanding. I guess it's hard because everyone wants to see all this culminate and see all this change happen, and we're not all going to be here to see it.

What do you think UB needs to do to become more student friendly?

UB needs to listen to its students. It seems as if we surge forward with plans and missions without asking the students. Granted, we have 15,000 undergraduate students who need to be informed and who need knowledge, not necessarily of every decision, but of the decision-making on our campus. We have not done the population justice.

As SA president you seem to be everywhere. Are you an organized person? What do you do for "fun?"

Organized, somewhat. I'm a struggling organized person. With the constant meetings and classes and the influx of students I talk to on a daily basis, it gets to be a little much. My organizer and Pat Kujawa, SA administrative director, are my best friends when it comes to organization. Struggling is a good word.

For fun? Lots of things. I'm a nature buff. I love being outside, hiking, biking, sports. Also a big jazz, reggae and classical musical fan. I'm, like, a coffee-shop, laid-back, shooting-pool kind of person.

What's something most people don't know about you and should?

That I'm human. Sometimes I think it surprises people when they see me out on Friday or Saturday night. I'm 20 years old. Student government is one of many passions that I have. I'm very approachable and I love talking to students and I'm the type of person who will help whenever I can. People shouldn't be afraid to ask for help.

What question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have answered it?

Does SA have an official agenda? I'm officially announcing the agenda of the undergraduate Student Association, our mission, goals and objectives, on Oct. 7 at noon in the Student Union Social Hall at a joint reception for the Student Association, its staff, the Student Wide Judiciary, the Student Association Senate and any and all faculty, students and administrators who would like to attend.