With new elections rapidly approaching and the existing student government really pushing for any and all to either apply or run for the next year, I feel it necessary to forewarn people about some of the things they may be getting themselves into. So this is Part I of what I hope will be a three part series about the Students’ Association. With that said, this is not meant to discourage anyone from running but rather enlighten all of you on how to serve your University efficiently. I have formulated some sort of warning/advice list for all of you aspiring SA governmentees:

1. You must realize that the student government has been together for a while — they have formed relationships, and ultimately support one another. I am not saying you should appease to them; I am saying be delicate in the way you present new ideas and go about them.

2. Do not shy from your own convictions: if you feel strongly about better dining services then stay true to that; do not allow already standing senators, chair people or anyone else for that matter, stand in your way.

3. Be reasonable: things are not going to go swimmingly your first few weeks or even semester, but be patient, establish yourself, and then go for it.

4. Going along with the previous, do not — and I repeat do not — get discouraged. People are not always going to see eye to eye with you and you won’t see eye to eye with them all of the time either but, as I stated, patience is a virtue. Keep working and keep true to yourself and things will start to shift.

5. Lastly, you will have to do some serious brown nosing to get ahead at first, but ultimately do things on your terms and you will earn the respect you seek.

These are five things I truly feel necessary for a beginner heading into student government for the first time or maybe even someone who is not getting what they expected out of their first-time experience. And if any of you are wondering, “What makes him such an expert?” I myself used to be a functioning member of student government — in fact, I used to chair the once promising UR Off-Campus Committee until both myself and the committee met its ultimate demise last semester. And if you have any questions, shoot me an email I’ll be happy to talk with any of you.