Their voices in unison, more than 30 student leaders including the newly elected president recited the oath of office on McKeldin Mall yesterday, ushering in a new generation of SGA legislators.

In front of a crowd of outgoing student government legislators, Student Government Association President-elect Andrew Friedson vowed to carry on many of the same goals of the previous administration in his inaugural speech, putting special emphasis on the need for student input and improving the SGA’s visibility.

“Today marks the commencement of what I believe will be a great year for student advocacy,” Friedson said. “Tonight isn’t about celebrating the successes of past SGAs. … It is about recognizing the student body that elected us to serve as their voice.”

The event also marked the end of outgoing SGA president Emma Simson’s administration, which led the way this year in increasing student voter registration and vocalizing student discontent in the recent housing crisis.

Simson, who will be participating in Teach for America next year, reminisced about her tenure and encouraged the new SGA class not to let the difficulties of their new job put a crimp in their ambitions.

“I sat where you are right now,” Simson said as she recounted the seemingly interminable SGA meetings and all-nighters she endured as SGA president. “Find your passion and set the bar high.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Linda Clement thanked Simson for her work, highlighting the success of the SGA’s first annual Crab Fest last October and the recent “Tent City” demonstration on McKeldin Mall to protest the housing shortage.

While she plans to catch up on some much-needed down time, Simson said she plans to keep track of the initiatives that got started under her watch.

“I’m looking forward to watching next year’s SGA build on what we did this year and start new things of their own,” Simson said.

In his remarks, Friedson reiterated his commitment to dealing with issues of affordable housing, increasing available financial aid, working to add the Purple Line to the campus shuttle service, helping to plan the East Campus development project and implementing SGA report cards for academic departments.

To help accomplish all this, Friedson said he plans to start a weekly blog where students can articulate their concerns. He also plans to invite students to offer feedback face-to-face in Friday afternoon open forums.

“The SGA’s ability to speak on behalf of the student body lies solely in its ability to reach students, to speak to them and to discuss their ideas,” Friedson said.

He also touched on improving the student body’s relationship with the city council, and giving students more of a say in city affairs, another goal championed by the last administration. Last winter, Simson lobbied to have special elections moved when they were scheduled to be held over winter break, while many students are away.

Over the next school year, Friedson aims to build a grassroots effort to increase student-resident cooperation and influence in city elections.

“The student body makes up approximately half the city’s population,” Friedson said, “and we will mobilize students for the city council elections this fall to ensure that we are given sufficient representation.”

With city elections approaching in November, Friedson said in an interview he will concentrate on getting freshmen registered to vote and improving overall turnout, though he wasn’t able to outline any specific approach.

“Those plans are not yet developed,” Friedson said. “We will be working on that this summer.”

Sterling Grimes, a newly elected SGA legislator, called Friedson’s speech inspiring because it reflected the enthusiasm of the new government for getting out students’ votes.

“If I have to run and up and down McKeldin Mall all day talking to students and showing them how important it is to vote, then I’ll do it,” Grimes said.

Newly elected Senior Vice President Brad Docherty said he will focus on working with Transportation Services to increase the safety of students using university transit. The sophomore said he wants to push improvements in the NITE Ride system and Terp Taxis, and expand Shuttle-UM routes.

Despite the seeming continuity between the goals of this year’s crop of SGA leaders and the last, Friedson said the government he leads will not shy away from changing course.

“This year’s SGA won’t be afraid to try new ideas,” Friedson said. “It won’t be afraid to change, to expand, and to modify.”

Contact reporter

Arelis Hernandez at hernandezdbk@gmail.com.