Self-described “man of action and culture”: Invasion of Privacy with Tim Rainis

If you are involved with civic engagement, politics, or bagel appreciation at SUNY Geneseo, it’s more than likely that you’ve crossed paths with senior international relations major Tim Rainis. Rainis, a man of charm, wit, and high-brow living is constantly looking to uplift and improve the Geneseo community, whether that comes in the form of educating students about local government or directing them to the best gumbo at a local fundraiser.

Rainis currently serves as the Geneseo Community Representative on Student Senate and the Lead Ambassador for Geneseo for the Andrew Goodman Foundation; in both roles, Rainis strives to inform, engage, and connect SUNY Geneseo and the surrounding Geneseo community.

As Community Representative on Student Senate, Rainis strives to “make sure, you know, we’re getting involved in volunteer work—physical presence in the community.” Rainis strives to integrate this community involvement in his role in the Andrew Goodman Foundation.

“We just try to keep our student population in the know about [local government],” Rainis said, “because if you drop the ball, you could have a pretty apathetic student population.”

A strong believer in the power of local politics, Rainis maintains that voting and involvement in the lower levels of government are just as if not more influential than elections and politics on the national level. As a high schooler, Rainis worked extensively with former New York State Representative Christine Pellegrino; it was this experience that guided Rainis towards developing this “think global, act local” mentality.

“You realize that these other offices that aren’t necessarily the president or Congress members, part of the work that is important to everyday life [are] done at state and local level, and I think educating people about that is important,” Rainis said. “Anyone who says that their vote doesn’t count because they live in New York—maybe at the presidential level, it doesn’t count. But there’s, like, a dozen other offices on that ballot that are going to probably affect your life more than the president could ever do day-to-day. So, you could actually have an effect on those races, because there’s no electoral college for town board.”

As a graduating international relations student, Rainis is looking forward to getting involved in politics in any way he can post-Geneseo; however, raised on the south shore of Long Island, Rainis is sure that he wants to stay in New York for one reason—the bagels.

“I like a good bagel,” Rainis said. “That’s very important to me…That’s probably why I can’t leave New York, because I would not have a bagel option…It’s too much of a loss. Also, if you’re getting cream cheese on your bagel, I hate when people skimp…it’s gotta be obscene. It’s gotta be dripping out.”

Outside of his classic order, an everything bagel with an oozing amount of plain cream cheese, Rainis has carefully developed a focused appreciation of culture and beauty that adheres to some strong moral values. As a term he used repeatedly throughout our interview, I had to ask—what does “culture” mean to Tim Rainis?

“Things that are right in the world [that are] what a learned individual understands to be the truth…The song “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Steffani—that’s culture. “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child—that is culture…“Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé—culture. “Unwritten” Natasha Bedingfield? Those are examples of culture.”

While Rainis identified his political icons and idols as Barack Obama, Bobby Kennedy, and Bernie Sanders (mentioning an impressive accomplishment of Rainis’s letter to Sanders being posted on the official Bernie Sanders Instagram), Rainis said that his cultural icons are Anthony Bourdain, Fran Lebowitz, and, of course, Dolly Parton.

“You can’t go wrong with Dolly Parton. In any context.”

Outside of his love of music, Rainis mentioned his appreciation of the sea, Chipotle, and the BBC World Service radio station; however, he struggled to identify any relaxing hobbies that he indulges in day-to-day.

“I don’t know if I’m capable of relaxation,” Rainis said.

If you’re lucky enough to see Rainis around campus, scurrying off to his various commitments and community-based responsibilities, make sure to say hello, remind him to relax, and, most importantly, get a good look at his practiced presidential wave.