Induction of 2017-2018 SCG Executive Council Members
At the June 1 induction ceremony of new executive council members of Student Community Government (SCG) Inc., RIC President Frank D. Sánchez established a new college tradition. Going forward, Rhode Island College will recognize outgoing members of SCG with a plaque on a dedicated wall in tribute to their leadership and contributions to the betterment of Rhode Island College.
Sánchez presented the first plaque to outgoing SCG President Jose Rosario ’17, before RIC faculty, staff and SCG executive councils 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.
He expressed appreciation for Rosario’s “partnership” with RIC administration, citing his willingness to collaborate and problem-solve issues together. “Frankly, I think that’s what makes good campuses exceptional,” said Sánchez, “when student leaders align themselves – when it makes sense – with administration to make for a better campus.”
SCG members are elected by their peers to be the voice of the student body. Throughout their terms, they are catalysts for positive change on campus. They provide funding for student organizations, oversee organization activities and ensure that student organizations abide by their constitutions.
Rosario gave the new council parting words of advice: “Working as a council is better than working as separate parts,” he said. “Make sure that you’re working together to accomplish goals, not only within yourselves [the SCG council] but [within] the campus community. ... never forget that together you’re a lot stronger than you are individually.”
Members of the 2017-2018 executive council are:
- Thomas Lima, president
- Vanessa Ruggieri, vice president
- Joseph Koperda, secretary
- (Ismael) Ryan Santana, treasurer
- David Alden Sears, speaker
- Louisa Ovidio, deputy speaker
Sánchez pinned SCG officers, pledging his administration’s commitment to their success: “commitment to forging an innovative, collaborative partnership; commitment to actively listen to SCG concerns and foster open and reciprocal lines of communication; commitment to work with SCG to establish a student-focused campus, where campus programs, policies and services are designed for students; and commitment to involving SCG leadership and representatives in important discussions impacting the future of Rhode Island College.”
“I truly believe that if we work together, we can make amazing things happen,” said Sánchez.
