Rishi Shah of the Students First! slate is the clear choice for commissioner of programming. Shah knows the music industry and the programming office inside and out and has a passion for working for the students in this position. Students would greatly benefit from Shah’s knowledge and experience, in addition to having the opportunity to operate under a commissioner of programming that will go above and beyond the office to present the best programming possible.

Shah has been involved with the A.S. Programming office for the past three years, currently serves as the festivals coordinator, is in his second year as KSDT’s General Manager and has worked with such companies as Sony and Interscope Records. He knows music. Shah takes programming seriously and is receptive to what students want. When he plans an event, he exhausts lists of bands and contacts in order to book a show that will fill RIMAC to the brim. Planning such events as FallFest and WinterFest, Shah has shown that he can handle the music side of the programming office.

Also well-equipped to handle the financial end of the position, Shah is confident that he can use the programming office’s resources most efficiently. This year, in order to save money on Pub shows, Shah negotiated with Fine Line entertainment to secure deals and talent that ultimately saved the programming office thousands of dollars. Shah hopes to build the programming office into an entity that has the power to book artists, attract shows and make its own money (like the office did this year in booking Dave Chapelle). If elected commissioner of programming, he will be able to do just that.

Shah’s opponent, independent candidate Spencer Pforsich, has indeed demonstrated his abilities this year booking bands for lunchtime concerts in Price Center as the Nooners coordinator. The experience and ideas that Shah has, however, make him better qualified.