Tonight, the University Board of Elections will announce the results of the University-wide student elections. And though campaigning has taxed both candidates' wallets and their free time, the winners must recognize that their real tasks has just begun. Most elected officers have about a month until their terms commence, and assured success will come only from apt preparation during the upcoming transition period.
The month-long transition timetable provides ample opportunities for the officers to learn about their new responsibilities while interviewing candidates and reviewing applications to fill the vacant staff offices. It is important, however, that tonight's victors be willing to put aside their personal agendas and platforms to ensure a seamless transition. Before these officers can institute their chosen reforms or pursue individual goals, they first must gather institutional knowledge and be brought up to speed with current initiatives and procedures. They must shadow predecessors, collaborate with outgoing student leaders and get on page with the previous administration before opening a new chapter in student self-governance.
Student Council's new administration has the task of selecting various other members of Council, such as the remaining Executive Committee - chief of cabinet, chief financial officer, chief technology officer and director of University relations - and the committee chairs. Though reaching out to underrepresented communities is vital, the newly elected officers should not shy away from seeking candidates for these positions with prior experience in Council. Even personal acquaintanceship is a virtue in certain cases - to a limit. For example, the efficacy of the chief of cabinet often hinges upon the ability of the officeholder to maintain a close working relationship with Council's president.
Handing off the reins of projects like Speak Up UVA and the University Unity Project, current student leaders need to mentor their successors about how to improve upon their mistakes or build on successful methods. Council President John Nelson said it will be up to the new administration either to pursue or drop Council's existing projects. It is crucial that newly elected officers welcome this transition period as a time to learn. Though they should continue to be motivated by their goals and think about how to build the foundation for success, it would be inappropriate to use this time for a vigorous pursuit of individual agendas.
Council's committees often experience significant turnover from year to year and deserve the most attention. To see them well-positioned to make substantive progress from the beginning of the term, the new leadership must set short-term goals for enduring projects. The Community Garden Initiative, sponsored by the Environmental Sustainability Committee, and UVAirBus, sponsored by the Committee on Student Life, are two such ongoing projects that await new leadership. For newly elected student leaders to table these initiatives while beginning progress on their own respective agendas would be irresponsible.
Council's next administration also should take a proactive stance toward engaging these committees more frequently to ensure that committee members are involved from the outset. Because these groups often only meet a handful of times during the spring semester - or sometimes only once - clear benchmarks should be set before they adjourn for the summer to ensure that progress is made.
Stepping into a new position can be an intimidating process. If these newly elected officers take full advantage of the month-long period they are allotted, however, they will set themselves up for seamless transitions and successful terms in office.
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