What it takes to be student body president
To the Editor:
In the past few weeks I have been approached by a number of individuals who are considering a run for student body president – many of them are interested in having me provide advice, whereas others simply have questions about the duties and responsibilities of the office. I am in a unique position to provide advice and counsel, especially since I have served as chief of staff for three years, serving under two different presidents.
In my position I am primarily responsible for the administration and operation of the cabinet of the Student Government Association. I am also responsible for advising the student body president and developing strategy as policy requires. In the same respect, I accompany the student body president to functions and meetings and in his absence will represent him. In short, my position, or the chief of staff position, rather, is to be thinking a few steps ahead of the student body president.
For what it’s worth, I have assembled some advice and a few pointers on what it takes to be student body president.
* Dedication. More than anything the student body president must be dedicated – they must have the ability to commit themselves to a goal or purpose and through perseverance achieve what is in the best interest of the student body.
* Time. The student body president’s schedule can be a demanding and hectic one, with back-to-back meetings, conferences, telephone calls, and senate – not to mention classes. The student body president’s time can be stretched thin. There must be an emphasis placed on delegation and prioritization – there simply isn’t enough time in the day (or the school year for that matter) for one person to do everything that the student body president is required to do.
* Good sense of humor. It is important – for sanity reasons – that the student body president have a good sense of humor, especially in dealing with the bureaucracy that is VCU. In these day-to-day dealings the student body president encounters numerous issues and matters, most of which are serious and have a major impact on the student body. The student body president may have to deal with tuition increases, residence hall regulations, or a dispute in the student body senate – all of which will try one’s patience a great deal. The day and job will run a lot smoother if you can joke with your colleagues and have the ability and humility to laugh at yourself.
* Communication. Failing to communicate – or communicating poorly – can make or break you as student body president. In directing the efforts of numerous other individuals, you’re responsible for ensuring that e-mail and other correspondence is replied to in a timely fashion, that concerns or issues are communicated to the necessary parties and that everyone is kept in the ‘loop.’ This can sometimes be difficult to do, especially if you have 50-plus e-mails to reply to at the end of the day, which isn’t out of the ordinary.
* Patience. Simply stated, you sometimes have to wait, and you’re just going to have to get used to it.
* Trust. It is very important that you place your faith and trust in intelligent, motivated individuals who will work hard to support you in everything that you do. It can sometimes be difficult to delegate important tasks or projects to others, but if you’re smart, you’ll surround yourself with capable people. Also, it’s important that you trust yourself – your judgment and opinion. It’s best not to second-guess yourself or you’ll have others second-guessing you.
* Friends. Don’t forget about these people – they helped you get to where you are, and they’ll be there for you when you need them.
Signed,
Daniel P. Tanner
Chief of Staff
Monroe Park Campus SGA