On Monday evening, as I’m sure you’ve read elsewhere in this edition, the Student Senate unanimously passed the recommendation of the Activity Fee Subcommittee to set the activity fee for next fiscal year. There was an increase of 4.9 percent for undergraduates and a 2.5 percent increase for graduate students. This is based on total expenses for the Union for next year of just over $8.2 million dollars.
When you sit back and think about it, that is a lot of money. Sure, it is no $360 million like some anonymous donor (rumored to be management Professor Frank X. Wright) gave RPI a few weeks ago, but for the budget of a completely student-run Union, it’s pretty good. It is also comforting to know that the people in charge of that money, namely the E-Board and myself, aren’t in the situation that the student leaders at SUNY-Albany are in. Read up on that one when you get a second.
The action that was taken by the Student Senate on Monday night culminated a year’s worth of work for my Executive Board. I would like to thank each of them for the time and effort that they have put forth this past year. The sheer number of hours spent is immeasurable. So, thank you very much Peter Caracappa, Joseph Savoca, Jeremy Lundgren, Lanna Watkins, Ariana Twitchell, Dennis Coldwell, Mark Anderson, Mike Budris, Annie Chan, Sue Brier, Cater Ortolano, Chris Lacey, Bill Wales, and of course, our secretary, Marisa Zavarella. We couldn’t have done it without each of you.
This end brings forth a new beginning in the never-ending cycle we live in. I think it is appropriate that one of the final duties of the outgoing President of the Union is to advertise for new Executive Board members. As you read above, it is no simple matter. There is an awesome responsibility that comes with becoming an E-Boarder—it is about $8.2 million. Because of my experience on the E-Board and as PU I have gained invaluable skills and marketability. Not only did it offer me the opportunity to grow as a person, but more importantly it gave me the chance to represent my fellow 6,500 students’ best interests. I have learned immeasurable amounts over the past few years and I urge you to give it a try as well. You can expect to start seeing applications for next year’s E-Board around campus or in the Administration Office in the Union. Tell them I sent you.
In closing, I would once again like to remind everyone that next week is perhaps the most important week of the year for students—GM Week. Not only is it an excuse to party all week long, it is also the time for you to voice your opinion on who you want to represent you for the next 365 days. Basically, don’t forget to wake up for long enough during the day on Monday and Thursday to go vote. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to avoid getting sick.
