Outgoing members of the Student Association called Monday night’s meeting, the last of the semester, bittersweet. Senior members gave their farewell speeches, including current president Marlene Goldenberg.

‘I can honestly say that I have loved every minute of this job,’ Goldenberg said. ‘It’s been one of the best learning experiences I could ever ask for.’

Goldenberg served on SA since the first assembly meeting of her freshman year. She said Monday night she felt SA has come a long way since then and named the most noteworthy successes of various committees under her leadership.

Goldenberg credited the improvement of SA over the years to those who’ve made the association their priority and dedicated countless hours to it.

‘With that kind of an attitude, Student Association has become a legitimate vehicle for change,’ Goldenberg said.

Such change can be seen in the relationships SA has developed with different departments throughout Syracuse University, Goldenberg said. She said there has been a clear increase in the amount of students seeking SA’s assistance each year.

SA comptroller Sacha Forgenie delivered a speech expressing appreciation to the organization and the friendships she’s made while fellow members. Though she recently endured a tough budget season, Forgenie said, ‘It’s sad to say good-bye, but I do need a break.’

Forgenie is required to commit 20 hours each week to the SA office, and leads the Finance Board, whom she also addressed in her speech.

‘Even though you get criticized a lot, I know you do a good job,’ she told the Board.Natalie Clay, Alejandro Fernandez-Lovo, Liz Ferree, Greg Klotz and Alec Sim also gave farewell speeches because they will be leaving the association next semester. All are SA cabinet members who have held other positions in the association.

Before the farewell speeches, Goldenberg gave her last president’s report. She discussed a ‘Good Samaritan policy’ that some campuses have already implemented. SU has yet to adopt the policy.

The policy addresses students who debate whether to call safety services after a friend gets sick from a drinking-related incident. Many students don’t immediately call for help because they are afraid their friend will get in trouble, Goldenberg said. The policy guarantees these students will not suffer any consequences.

‘Universities have decided they’re more in favor of safety than writing people up,’ Goldenberg said.

Goldenberg said she’s a supporter of the policy and that she believes SU should highly consider it. Though her term ends in a few weeks, she encouraged SA’s next president, Larry Seivert, to push the university to adopt it.

As the 52nd session comes to a close, Goldenberg referred to the association as ‘a work in progress’ and emphasized its potential.

‘There’s always more we can do,’ she said. ‘And with only a month left in my term, I can already think of a thousand issues I would tackle, if only I had the time.’

mequalte@syr.edu

Published on December 1, 2008 at 12:00 pm