New SGA administration takes office

The newly elected West Virginia University Student Government Association administration took office in a ceremony Wednesday to exchange seats with past governors.

Former SGA President Jason Zuccari, former Vice President Whitney Rae Peters and members of the outgoing Board of Governors shared memories and said their good-byes.

Most governors wished the incoming BOG good luck and took the opportunity to reflect on how they got started in SGA.

"We'll never forget the friendships we've all had here," Zuccari said. "We came together with a notion to make a difference and make differences for the rest of the Mountaineers to come."

Peters reflected on advice she was given when she initially took office – that her experiences with the BOG would be a nightmare. It was not the truth, she said.

"There have been times with all of you that I would have liked to knock you out," Peters said. "But I have never been as proud to serve on this (BOG) because we challenged the system and will remain pretty good friends at the end of the day."

During new business, the outgoing administration unanimously passed a proclamation in support of a law to allow tax-exempt charitable organizations to make grants for Greek housing. Currently the University can spend money donated for fraternities and sororities however it wants, the proclamation said.

Newly elected governors introduced themselves and talked about what they would like to do with their platforms once they took their new seats.

SGA President Chris Lewallen said he was glad he could finally take office after three weeks of uncertainty. However, he did appreciate the time taken to certify election results because it made a stronger SGA administration, he said.

"Let's make this the best student government ever and hold ourselves accountable to that the whole time," Lewallen said. "No one defines student
government because we define student government."

Peters and former Gov. Molly Wilson announced superlatives to SGA members submitted by the BOG.

Such superlatives included "most likely to bang an international student"  and "most likely to get six DUIs and remain in SGA."

Former Gov. Nick Fortunato said they were in bad taste.

"Personally I think it was inappropriate and pretty offensive," Fortunato said. "Maybe next year we can be a little more serious with them."

Wilson defended the superlatives by saying they were supposed to be fun and not taken seriously.