As described by former SGA President Riley Brown, “A new era has begun for the university.”

Friday brought the swearing in of the campus’ newest leadership. In a public ceremony, the whole of the SGA gathered in the CUB MPR as President-elect Andrew Hare, Vice-President of External Affairs Madison Cole, Vice President of Student Groups Brea Neal and Vice President of Finance Chase Slenker officially took office in their new roles.

The ceremony was kicked off by a call to order and the approval of the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget. The budget was released on Thursday, April 15 by Slenker, following an email sent out on Friday, April 15 announcing that several minor changes would be made.

“These revisions are minor and entail a restructuring of the committee to include a more diverse blend of at-large and SGA Senate members. No financial guidelines have changed at this time,” Slenker said. 

“Due to declining enrollments and additional reliance on SUSSI reserves to balance the budget in the previous year, the budget and finance committee had to make some very challenging decisions. This year’s budget is designed to reduce reliance on those reserves and reduce our structural deficit,” Slenker said in the email.

With no other outstanding business to attend to, Interim President Charles Patterson took to the stage to applaud the new leadership team as well as give them advice for the following year of success. 

In addition to the seniors who will be leaving SGA, Barry McClanahan, the SGA adviser has stepped down from his role. McClanahan has served the campus community since 1992 when he served as the director of Greek Affairs. 

Following some tearful parting words from Riley Brown and a first presidential speech by Andre Hare, the team had some new business regarding the approval of the members for the Budget and Finance Committee.

The ceremony was ultimately closed out by Hare. Once adjourned, members and guests in attendance were able to come together for cake and drinks in the Red Zone.

When speaking with Brown following the event, he reflected on his time at Shippensburg University, as well as handing the reins over to a new team.

“This year was the year we had to climb out of the pandemic — the conditions we were in, Brown said. 

“And I think the new team has the tools necessary to do great things, and I know they will, and I feel very confident in their skills and abilities to do so.”

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