It’s hard to believe today is my final day of serving as your Student Government Association president. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of interacting with students, faculty, staff, administrators and state leaders on almost a daily basis, many of whom have made it possible to accomplish the goals I set for this year. Yet none of the accomplishments this university has benefited from would have been possible without the hard work of each of the representatives of the SGA.
The SGA is broken up into two main branches: the legislative branch and the executive branch. Together, we all worked to ensure student voices were heard, changes were made and our work impacted many students at this university. I would first like to draw attention to the legislators who worked hard for students all year on each of their constituent initiatives. Through legislative initiatives and increased outreach to the student body, the SGA worked hard to expand its presence and influence throughout the university. These legislators, your representatives, are the ones who attended countless meeting — sometimes staying up as late as 4:30 in the morning, fighting for student groups.
I especially want to show my gratitude to the SGA executives who supported my goals throughout the year and came through with funding for student groups when they were most in need. Together, the executives and I also successfully orchestrated both the on- and off-campus safety walks, the BYOBooks Second Look Fair and the bonfire on Chapel Field after the Terrapin men’s basketball team’s game against Duke.
I want to also thank my executive cabinet members, who were a mix of returning directors and a mix of new directors. Without the cabinet, no part of my vision for this organization would have been possible. Together, they have tirelessly carried out initiatives throughout the year. The cabinet members were able to produce a new website, run a great and successful voter registration drive, continue the newly created SGA Speaker Series and recognize a number of new student groups, along with many other initiatives.
Of course, this organization could have not had a successful year without the continual student participation and input. With such student involvement, we were able to hear from you on issues such as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, equal rights for same-sex partners and the university’s contract with janitorial supplies company Daycon, to name a few. Student participation and input is what helps our organizations; to each student, I thank you.
Lastly, I want to thank the one individual who helped keep it all together and has been by my side the entire way. My chief of staff, Michelle McGrain, was the one who oversaw all the projects that were instrumental in making sure everything was carried out in the SGA. While many other names have highlighted this publication throughout the year, there is no doubt that their success would have been in jeopardy if it were not for McGrain.
Tonight, I will pass the torch. I will watch an individual who I have worked very closely with for the past two years take over this organization. The SGA next year will be in good hands with Kaiyi Xie leading a strong group of dedicated individuals.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve the students of this university with such devoted and inspirational individuals.
Steve Glickman is the outgoing SGA president. He can be reached at SGAPresident at umd dot edu.
