In a symbolic transition between the outgoing and incoming undergraduate student governments, friends and family of the new councilmembers attended an installation ceremony on Sunday.
The event included speeches by the outgoing councilmembers as well as incoming President Gabe Rose.
Though the current Undergraduate Students Association Council was sworn in last month and has held three meetings already, councilmembers said the ceremony still holds significance.
“It really does signify the departure of the old council,” Rose said of the day.
Other symbols of this transition included the official nameplates new councilmembers received and their excitement about moving into their offices this week.
In their speeches, outgoing councilmembers discussed what they accomplished over the year as well as hopes and advice for those taking over their offices.
Former councilmembers reminded incoming members that they are representing tens of thousands of students, to make time for themselves, and to get out of their offices and stay in touch with the campus.
“Don’t let paperwork, politics and other variables cloud why you’re doing this for the community,” said Farheen Malik, former Community Service commissioner.
New Facilities commissioner Sherlyn Mossahebfar said she enjoyed the speeches by former councilmembers.
“It was nice to see the outgoing councilmembers end on a positive note,” she said.
In his speech at the ceremony, Rose expressed his excitement and dreams for the new council.
“We’ve been entrusted by the student body with one year to make great things happen, and we need to look for ways to do this. I’m really looking forward to seeing this council do great things,” Rose said.
After hearing the speeches and meeting current and former councilmembers, Lorraine Rose-Lerman, Rose’s mother, said she was very impressed with the students.
“We are excited and proud of how many inspiring and amazing kids there are doing amazing things, because truly Gabe couldn’t do it by himself,” she said.
New general representative Michelle Lyon said she enjoyed the ceremony and enjoyed having the people close to her attend.
“It was a great way to start the year with friends and family supporting USAC,” she said.
Despite heading a council split evenly between Bruins United and Students First! councilmembers, former president Marwa Kaisey said she believes her council was very productive and she hopes the incoming council can continue this work.
“USAC has changed recently into a body that recognizes its own great potential, and the incoming council as led by Gabe Rose is just the group to begin to fulfill this potential,” she said.