Hello my fellow Leathernecks my name is Justin Brown I'm the current student member to the
Western Illinois University Board of Trustees and it's my honor to welcome you to the fifth
annual state of the student address today you're looking for myself as well as the current student
body vice president Kinsey Tiemann and the current student body president Daria Levchenko it is my
pleasure to be able to stand up to you today in this virtual format not only as a member
of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees but also perhaps more importantly
as a proud WIU student and soon-to-be alumnus who wants nothing more than to see Western grow
prosper and adapt in this unique time of change for the past year we have been living through
living and going to school in a world that we could have never imagined while there are a number
of challenges facing each and every one of us we must come together and support one another one
another now more than ever it would be remiss of me to not start by thanking countless individuals
and organizations across the institution that have had a positive impact on not only
the student experience but the overall success of this last year this past year we've had a number
of employees who have been doing double duty on top of the double or triple duty they were already
doing before the pandemic working their full-time jobs while assisting with the COVID testing
contact tracing covert transport uh serving on task force working late nights and weekends and
much much more all of this is being done because the individuals want to ensure
that western is a safe healthy campus our student body is like no other we are full of students who
are have continuously been working uh to in the to be the voice of the students in all in the time
that the voice is desperately needed over the past year we have seen a movement in the country to end
racial injustice and our students bodies have worked tirelessly to ensure that any racial
injustices in our campus and our in our host community um are eliminated while this fight
is certainly not concluded our student body will continue to do what's right for the past present
and future leathernecks to come our dedication to academic excellence educational opportunity
personal growth and social responsibility is made possible by the hard work of our faculty and staff
over a year ago our university and world transitioned into a complete virtual form
and our faculty and staff did everything possible to have a seamless transition for every student
even today as we create a hybrid setting for our students they go above and beyond to provide each
student with a college experience that is as close to the real thing as possible the challenge is not
over we must continue to move forward in a safe manner that will allow our students to have the
same experience that countless alumni share two years ago at the same last stated student address
I shared a poem from Will Allen Dromgoole entitled the Bridge Builder i believe this poem exemplifies
the ideal Leatherneck that is why i decided now more than ever i should share the poem again
all so that our new members of this Leatherneck family can hear the important words please bear
with me as i share with the words of this poem an old man going alone going alone highway
came at the evening cold and gray at a chasm fast and deep and white through which was a flowing
tide the old man crossed in the twilight's dim but the sullen stream had no fear for him
but he turned when safe on the other side and built a bridge to spend the time
old man a fellow pilgrim said you are you are wasting your strength to build here your journey
will end with the ending day you will never again pass this way you've crossed the chasm
deep and wide why build a bridge at evening tide the builder lifted his old great head
good friend in the path i have come he said here there followed after me today a young
whose feet must pass this way this chasm that has been not to me to a fair head young maybe pitfall
be he too will cross x y like then a good friend i am building the bridge for him as we stand at the
crossroads of our university me and this poem's meaning is magnified whether you play a large role
in the institution or not we are all standing at the same crossroads we have all reached the same
chasm it is imperative to the success of western that we move on as one one united community tough
decisions have been made by administration faculty and staff not because they wanted to make them
but rather for they had the institution's best interest at heart you don't do it for yourself or
the person sitting next to you you do it for every student here today and every student that one day
be joining our Leatherneck family we are standing on the shoulders of those who have preceded us
and the future generations will be on the shoulders or you need our shoulders to be
strong enough to support them is it easy to fall into the trap of the Western way think
that everything can and should be done the same way but that is no way to think when higher ed
education as a whole is changing and adapting all around us we need to be at the forefront of
innovation opportunity and student success as we have heard from this poem we need to do the things
that benefit future generations remaining complacent will not grow to build a bridge
for every student who is here for every student will be here from a semester now or 122 years from
now it is our duties as Leathernecks to ensure that everyone who is follows in the footsteps
footsteps to discover their home here at Western the same home that my father found 30 years before
me has the opportunity to do so Western Illinois University is not just another state institution
it is a place where leaders are cultivated where tradition is fostered and where countless memories
have been made it is our responsibility to set in motion the change that will set the
university on positive and enduring path thank you all for not only listening to me
speak today but also for your commitment to the place that i and so many more before me
have the privilege of calling home now please welcome the current student body vice president
for those of you who do not know me my name is Kinsey Tiemann this past year i've had the
privilege of serving as your student government vice president while this service is one of my
final actions as a vice president i look ahead to see the bright future Western Illinois University
has to offer and that i strive to aid in providing as a future student member to the
board of trustees this next year if you will for a minute i would like to ask each of you to picture
a running track every student faculty member and administrator is already on the track supporting
our signature purple and gold uniforms signifying us as members of Western Illinois University
while it is difficult to differentiate who is who's simply based on the colors of our uniform
collectively our personal unique talents we each bring will provide useful for this upcoming race
already on the track are our opponents each boasting and beating WIU in the upcoming race
the rules of the race are simple each number must compete you must stay in respective lanes
and the first team to cross the finish line wins from the first person to the last we cheer and
encourage each other in the race yet throughout the competition unforeseen obstacles come up
as a team we immediately have to address these obstacles quickly and with a level head some
obstacles come as a global pandemic that limit our participation on campus
others come in the form of a shooting that shook up the foundation our school sat on yet still
other possible barriers can be found through recruitment and retention records
instead of solely focusing on winning the race many of us instead transition our course to meet
the needs to target these obstacles that are thrown in our direction
in the midst of these obstacles our university has seamlessly transitioned
to the new leadership across the campus and stepped up to the running blocks to
continue on our course throughout adversity present throughout this past school year
i'd like to spend a little bit of time to thank some of these individuals first off i'd like to
thank every single individual who has stepped up to track and combat covet exposures and manage the
risk of possible spreads thank you as well the leadership that quickly and effectively address
scares across the university to meet student needs at the drop of a hat thank you also to members of
SGA for stepping up as leaders within the cabinet and legislation to share the student voice and
many platforms of advocacy likewise thank you to administration and our advisor for listening
and empathizing with our discomfort from coven and presenting creative alternatives
as a conclusion i would like to instead leave you with the words one of my favorite authors
paulo coelho as he said it best when we least expect it life sets us up sits as a challenge
to test our courage and willingness to change at such a moment there is no point in presenting
pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready
the challenge will not wait life does not look bad in conclusion thank you WIU for this past
school year i would now like to turn it over to your current SGA president dario
hello if we have not had the privilege of crossing paths yet my name is Daria Levchenko and i have
had the great privilege and honor of serving as a student body president for the past year
here at Western Illinois University before i begin i would like to thank some
exceptional individuals and student leaders first i would like to thank our hard-working dedicated
and passionate executive cabinet members working with them this year has been one of the best parts
of this position and i am so thankful for many new friendships and laughs that we've shared
thank you to your hard work and dedication attorney general
Deseree Lett director of academic affairs Elizabeth Orwig director of student services
Da'Veonna Campbell director of technology Dylan McGlasson speaker of the senate Gretchen Maier
student members of the board of trustees Justin Brown and finally my wonderful vice president
Kinsey Tiemann i couldn't have made it through this year without any of them i would also like
to thank our fantastic student government advisor Nicholas Katz thank you for advising and guiding
us through challenging times encouraging us to use our voices to fight for what is right
and strengthening us to become better student leaders on campus we appreciate the time work
you have poured into this organization and bettering it for the future during this past
year we have all gone through a time like no other heavy grievances events and circumstances
have occurred before our eyes every single one of us was affected somehow in this past year today
we will not dwell on the past and instead focus on the victories this year SGA still had a successful
year despite everything else that was going on we met on a weekly basis met quorum each time while
passing legislation and carried on with a hybrid model in total we had 16 appointments eight bills
of appropriation two bills of resolution three by-law amendments one constitutional amendment
and seven presidential bills of appointment just about every week we either voted on a piece of
legislation or had a guest speaker attend and have a conversation about ongoing university challenges
our members served on campus-wide committees where they shared their perspective
from a student standpoint we advocated for the student voice to be represented and heard all
over campus in making big decisions i am proud to have served as a president during this year
and been a leader of to this group with the help of cabinet members senators and university staff
we were able to change legislation that was about 50 years old we updated the computing fee policy
evaluated talent grant tuition waiver legislation made changes to our constitution and expressed
concern with on-campus issues some of those included extending library hours
listing in-person meeting gathering numbers parking on campus housing down meal housing and
dining meal plan a graduation ceremony and much more we have managed to maneuver restrictions
and guidelines that were in place this year and still carry out our duties and responsibilities we
easily could have not done anything this year as we saw for many student work student organizations
i think that this was the most important time to do quite the opposite and do everything we
could for the students while not much was going on there are still concerns and challenges daily that
need us to address them going forward i think things are starting to look up for the staffs
students and community we have seen positive progression throughout the semester new university
leaders have been hired or are currently in that process enrollment for the future academic year
looks promising as well as new student orientation covent 19 limitations are getting better as time
moves on and the hope for the future is a light at the end of the tunnel that we are almost through
there are always going to be challenges with with everything but it does not seem as if we
will be heading in a backwards direction in all aspects with a whole year being non-traditional
many students not having much experience with the normal school year my hopes is that this brings
new ideas and community to the future new events organizations ideas activities and so much more
after this quiet year will hopefully be inspired i know students are eager for this to occur and
believe the future for these students looks better even if times get rough again in the future we are
prepared for such and are able to adapt quickly after this past year the university and everyone
here wants to see you succeed every faculty member administrator staff personnel here that
i have met have made me feel welcome and heard the people who work here for WIU are here for you
the students they want to see you succeed they want to see you grow and they want to help you out
i guarantee you that if you ask someone and they don't know the answer to your question they will
find someone who does know the answer and how to help you today i want to thank you for letting
me serve as your student body president this past year these past three years in SGA have impacted
me and have given me a drive and passion to continue serving students in all that i do
i encourage you to keep going and keep pushing in this time the light at the end of the tunnel is
near and my hopes are that you are standing with me and see it too i want to thank all
the students staff and community members i have worked with during my time for addressing concerns
guiding me partnering with me and supporting me i challenge you to never fear news in your voice
and stand up for what you think is right most of the time people don't realize what is going on
or the impact a situation has on others so say something nothing changes if nothing changes
i wish you the best in your future here at western and beyond thank you so much for joining us