New E-Board was easily agreed upon
By Kelly-Anne Huettner, Staff Writer
For most students at St. Michaels, P-Day is a day of free food, inflatables and a celebration of the end of the year. But for nine students, it’s the unofficial beginning of their one-year term working on the Student Association’s Executive Board.
Thirteen people applied for the seven positions on the E-Board. Each applicant was interviewed by the Personnel and Nominations Committee and current E-Board members. The Personnel and Nominations Committee monitors club and representative involvement in the S.A. throughout the year.
“They are asked a bunch of questions and the committee, along with Alex and I, decide on who fits where best,” said S.A. Vice President-elect Mallory Wood.
“We agreed a lot this time,” Wood said. “There weren’t really any conflicts, which is good. Agreement is good.”
Students applying who are abroad this semester, such as Secretary of Academics Catherine Cook and Co-secretary of Programming Colin McSherry, the application is the same, with interviews encouraged, Wood said.
“Students abroad were given the choice to have an interview if they could work it into their schedules, but we emphasized the fact that we would like them to do the interview because it is really the only fair way,” Wood said.
Applicants identified which position they would prefer, but ultimately, it is the Personal and Nominations Committee that decides where the chosen student will serve.
This year, three applicants were given positions different from the one they expressed interest in their letter of intent, Wood said.
No one applied for secretary of Academics and Communications, so the S.A. put Catherine Cook and David Hiltz in those positions.
“It isn’t what I wanted at first, but it’s a great opportunity to get my foot in the door,” said Hiltz, next year’s Secretary of Communications. “Not a lot of people get to be a sophomore and be on the E-Board.”
Next fall, Hiltz will be busy running cross-country and being a Residence Assistant, he said.
“They’re wise in giving me a position which isn’t as much work as others may be,” he said.
Class of 2009 President Steve O’Neil will serve as Co-Secretary of Programming with Colin McSherry. However, O’Neil said he expressed interest in the secretary of finance in his letter of intent.
“The E-Board has already met a bunch of times and we work really well together,” said sophomore Gary Levante. Levante served as the Area Representative for Canterbury, Cashman and Pontigny this past year and will be taking the position of Secretary of Student Policy.
“We all have great chemistry,” he added.
The E-Board plans to revamp the constitution, streamline the finance process, increase weekend programming, create a Student Association Web site and focus on student life issues.
“Student life issues were on both me and Alex’s platforms so that will be a huge part of next year’s S.A.,” Wood said.
There are also plans to video-tape the S.A. meetings, Hiltz said.
“The student channel is a great resource to use, and we should take advantage of it,” he said.
Monahan said he is interested in renovating one of the vacant buildings on North Campus into a student lounge, similar to Eddie’s Place.
“It would definitely add some character up North,” Monahan said.
The positive attitudes and the plans of the new E-Board instill confidence in the student body that next year’s Student Association could be better than those in the past.
Although, comparing Student Associations year to year is next to impossible due to varying issues and fluctuating budgets, Hiltz said.
“But the upperclassmen know what they’re doing,” he said. “They have a good attitude and it’s going to be a good year.”
Contact Kelly-Anne Huettner at khuettner@smcvt.edu
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