The past year for the E-Board has been a true reflection of how a group of individuals can come together as a team, develop a designated plan, and then carry it out successfully. The E-Board started out on a great foot with a solid orientation program this year that set the foundation early for its members to grow. Business items carried steadily throughout the fall semester as budgetary preparations began. Given the current economic state and its effect on the Union, the E-Board found itself making real world business decisions and plans to counteract it.

The E-Board began early with its large-scale education initiative to inform all stakeholders of the current situation and the plan that had been formulated to address the financial future of the Union. This plan was carried out in close detail to ensure all organizations had been treated fairly and equally. A true testament to the success of the overall budgeting process is the minimal complaints received from clubs upon completion. This fact outlines the success of the strong push for open communication.

The spring semester has carried through where the fall semester had left off—handling regular business proposals and approving new clubs. Looking back on this year, the E-Board has been successful in obtaining its budgetary goals and effective in making educated, knowledgeable, and fair decisions.

I would like to thank everyone working in the Union Administration Office, the Athletic Department, and the Student Life division for their assistance throughout the year. I would like to especially thank the director of the Union and my mentor, Rick Hartt, for his commitment, dedication, and devotion to students. This year would not have been successful without all your help.

This year I was very fortunate to have a great group of students to select from for E-Board positions. Once the full E-Board had been assembled I realized how intelligent and talented a group had been formed. Their enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication allowed the E-Board to positively progress to tackle difficult issues and raise the expected standard of an E-Board representative. Without their great efforts the difficult budgetary year could not have been successfully completed.

I would like to recognize the E-Board members that have worked so hard this year and gone beyond their call of duty. They are Michael Borzumate, Jeanine Thompson, Eric Griffith, Shadeequa Miller, Eric Johnson, Amanda Levine, Patrick Fell, Khaoula Benghanem, Peter Baldwin, Andre Lewis, Jason Tavarez, and Paul Enge. Thank you so much for the heart and hard work you have given to the E-Board this past year. I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors at Rensselaer and after.

Lastly I would like to thank my friends and family for their ongoing support and motivation to excel. Three or four years ago I would have never expected to be the President of the Union. Your encouragement and push has resulted in life changing experiences and lessons. Thank you for everything along the way and always being there.