A message from your new SA vice president

Change, participation called for

Jon Erickson Guest Columnist

I would like to begin by thanking all of you who voted in the March 5 and 6 elections. The choice you made at the poll no longer matters. The most important point is that you voted. By exercising your right to vote, you have told us that you believe the Students' Association can make a difference. Now it's our turn to show you that we can.

Over Spring Break, a group of officers from the SA went to Washington, D.C., to address the needs of our campus to our Texas legislators in Congress. In short, I will tell you that our efforts were successful.

While in D.C., we also had the opportunity to attend the biannual meeting of the National Association of Students for Higher Education and meet with students from more than 15 other major universities. The results of this conference will be seen this year as the SA begins to expand its role on campus.

Over the next few months, you will hear us ask for your input on the various projects we would like to see started on campus. During the campaign, you heard many ideas on ways to improve the campus for all of us. Tomorrow, we begin to turn those ideas into actions!

I will begin my call to everyone on campus now. Step up and help your university when it asks for your help. There are over 30 committees on campus that need student input, and many times there are not enough students to serve and so the students' voice is not heard.

I am asking you to come to the SA office in the University Center Underground and fill out an application to serve your university.

The future of the university is very bright, and together we can make it brighter.

Today begins a new chapter in the University of Houston's history. Dr. Arthur Smith has arrived on campus and will take us into the next century.

I encourage each and every one of you to embrace the changes we will see over the next year. Change does not come without growing pains, but if we work together we will be recognized as the premier institution we are.

The SA is there to "bridge the gap" between the students and the administration. As we begin to witness changes on campus, I encourage you to come to the office and speak with us if something occurs that you question. In many cases the SA is kept informed on details of campus happenings and may be able to provide you with answers.

Please contact anyone in the SA office any time. That's why we are here. Also, feel free to call me at 743-5220 or send e-mail to jme49199@jetson.uh.edu.

Good luck with the remainder of the semester, and go Coogs!

Erickson will be sworn in tonight as vice president of the 34th SA administration.