I think my friend was surprised at how enthusiastically I responded to her question. This is because she has been by my side since last spring and has witnessed the events of this past year -- all of the highs and all of the lows. She has seen me at moments of extreme sadness, frustration, disappointment, fulfillment, satisfaction and joy. And above all, she has seen a president find herself and remain true to herself, despite the constant scrutiny and unfair attacks.
It is somewhat difficult for me to sum up the past year in words. When I returned to campus last summer after interning at the White House, I thought that nothing could be more intense than my experience in Washington, D.C.
I soon realized my naivete when I checked my SG voice mail for the first time last July. There were two messages; the first was from Carolyn Dow, an assistant to the president. She called to say that President Thomas K. Hearn Jr. had a conflict with the scheduled date for the Presidents' Leadership Conference and that it needed to be moved to another weekend. Hearn and I were to co-host this retreat, and the reservations had been set since the previous fall. I felt a little overwhelmed.
The next voice-mail was from a compassionate administrator I have come to know well these past two years, Ken Zick, the vice president for student life and instructional resources. He wanted to talk about Shorty's. More importantly, he needed to inform me that the project had been tabled for the time being. He suggested that I figure out a new plan quickly if I wanted to see Shorty's accomplished during my term. I now felt extremely overwhelmed. It was only late July, and already the year was off to a hectic start. Still, however, I thought this was exciting because it meant we in SG had lots of promising projects and challenges ahead of us.
I feel no need to summarize the past nine months, because you, too, have been there to witness SG's outstanding accomplishments. From our campus-wide parties to our e-mail surveys, to the SAFE Rds. Commission, it is evident that SG was very effective this year. Still, however, there were times that I believed that most students here simply did not understand what it was like to have both student obligations (academic, social, etc.) and also be expected to perform the duties of a campus administrator.
Yet I now realize that people do acknowledge that SG has been extremely visible and productive this past year. For example, students come to me with various complaints about Shorty's all the time. Nevertheless they frequent our wonderful coffeehouse/tavern almost as much as I do!
I have always welcomed such concerns or comments because they are a sign that students actually do care here. I would rather hear complaints than be faced with complete apathy. After all, what is the purpose of a student government if its leaders do not understand the frustrations and beliefs of the students they serve? Our strength lies in our credibility and accountability. And that we have always honored and respected tremendously.
For me SG has been an incredible learning experience. The lessons that being in the public eye have taught me are very valuable. Moreover, I have been able to work on numerous projects to improve student life on campus. My favorite, of course, has been Shorty's; however, all the other activities were just as meaningful to me.
As I prepare to leave the university and begin a new era, I look back with only fond memories of my time on SG. Yes, there have been occasions when I wanted to give it all up and find someone else for people to pick apart; however, those instances are blurred by my realization that I have had a truly enjoyable tenure as just one of many student leaders at the university.
To all those students who will return next fall, I challenge you to take an active role on campus and get involved in your university community. Pick a project and go with it. Students should stop expecting SG to do everything, because we just are not that powerful. We do what we can with what voice we have. But each student has the ability to make something better and to improve existing conditions.
It is my hope that students with the desire to get involved and possibly run for a leadership position will not be scared off by the harsh criticism SG officers have received this past year. The advantages of this learning experience and the skills I have gained from being faced with adversity far outweigh such criticism. I would like to see that SG remains a strong voice on campus for all students.
Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank the student body for allowing me to serve you over these past two years. It has been an amazing experience, and I am truly honored to have been given your trust and support. To the Class of 1997, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. And I look forward to Homecoming, when you can all "meet me at Shorty's."