Members of the outgoing and incoming undergraduate student
government let their hair down Saturday afternoon as they
participated in the installment ceremony of the newly elected
council.
As family members, friends and administrative
representatives looked on in the crowded Kerckhoff Grand
Salon, the members of the 2002-2003 Undergraduate Students
Association Council bid their final farewells and formally welcomed
their successors into office.
Though many outgoing councilmembers said they underwent trials
during their term in office, they also said they wanted to leave on
an optimistic note by focusing on the positive experiences they
had.
“It was no secret that this was a divided council,”
said Rick Tuttle, an administrative representative to council,
referring to the split in council between slates.
Still, Tuttle commended council on their ability to
compromise.
Councilmembers agreed that overall their experience was a
valuable one.
“I wouldn’t trade this year for anything else.
“¦ I learned great things from different individuals,”
said Suzanne Yu, the outgoing Community Service commissioner.
David Dahle, the outgoing president, added that this
year’s council had been different from past years’. But
it was also a unique council that made debate challenging and made
people think, he added.
Outgoing councilmembers left with some final words of
advice.
This year’s council has made some mistakes, but it’s
important to remember that all voices are important, said Chris
Diaz, the outgoing Academics Affairs commissioner.
Bidding their final wishes, outgoing councilmembers handed over
to the incoming officers the gavel, rule booklets and, in the case
of this year’s Campus Events Commissioner Ryan Wilson, a
crowning tiara.
As the gavel was passed on, Anica McKesey, the incoming
president, spoke about the responsibilities that the new council
faces.
Formal procedures aside, the ceremony was also an opportunity
for the new council to socialize and show off to their
families.
Elsa Lam, the older sister of General Representative Linda Lam
said she was not surprised to see Lam being a student leader.
“She’s always been headed in that route (of
leadership),” Elsa said. “I am just proud of her and
here to support her.”