Simas Chacar-Palubinskas

Simas is a senior at GS studying history. He is expecting to graduate in May 2024 with his younger brother, Rimas CC'24, after a happy set of coincidences led their paths back together after high school at Bergen County Academies. Simas grew up in northern New Jersey, not too far from campus. Coming to Columbia was something of a childhood dream come true because his parents met in Mudd Hall as graduate students. Simas is happiest on his grandparent’s biodynamic organic farm in rural southern Lithuania, where he learned how to drive, off-roading in a 1999 Ford Ranger, chasing rogue sheep. He worked there for some time prior to coming to Columbia. 

He is passionate about building community at GS, both as a distinct, diverse, and supportive community and as a part of the wider Columbia undergraduate student body. In the previous three years, Simas has served as the Community Service and Sustainability Representative on the Campus Life Committee and the Vice-President of Finance. In fact, the 2023-2024 Academic Year marks the third time that he has successfully passed a GSSC budget and his fourth year being involved with GSSC. His top priorities for the year are maintaining high levels of transparency, continuing accountable and responsible spending practices, and actively facilitating the work of the GSSC in conditions that make long-term planning difficult. For any questions, comments, or concerns pertaining to the work of the Finance Committee, please know that his door (email inbox) is always open.