Student Council members officially transitioned into their new positions at their meeting last night.
In her parting words, outgoing Council President Jequeatta Upton discussed Council's accomplishments over the past year, including its work with housing and its response to the reported incidents of racism.
"I've learned so much from working with the executive board," Upton said. "We've had a great time this year."
Upton also had some advice for the Council members, some of whom are newly elected and others who will be continuing in their current positions.
"We must make sure we're never complacent," she said. "Council can always be better."
Executive board members were sworn in, including newly elected Council President Darius Nabors, who said he hoped to fill Upton's "very big shoes."
"I want to restore student confidence in Student Council, making sure Council is a forum they can come to if they have concerns," Nabors said.
Also sworn in yesterday, Executive Vice President Nicholas Jordan discussed some of his goals for the next year.
Jordan said he hopes to create two new representative positions in Council -- one for a member of the Greek Council and one for a member of the Minority Rights Coalition.
"Each [of these two people] represents 30 to 40 percent of the student body," Jordan said, explaining the importance of having these students' insight when dealing with Greek and minority concerns.
Addressing the need to reach out to first-year students, Jordan also said he hopes to implement a Council dorm-talk program in the upcoming year.
"This would be two or three Student Council members going to first-year dorms, talking to students and seeing what their concerns are and trying to get some positive change," Jordan said.
To complete the executive board, Jeffrey McLaughlin was sworn in as vice president for administration and Anna Popova was sworn in as vice president for organizations.
Newly elected representatives were also in attendance at the meeting, including College Reps. Victoria Ingenito and Eric Howlett, Nursing Rep. Sarah Boschung and Law Reps. Brendan Dignan and Everton Morris.
Transfer Rep. Arthur Durst received the Best Rep. Award for his work over the past year and Diversity Initiatives Chair Maha Kausar was awarded Best Committee Chair.
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