The votes are counted, and next year’s Student Association Executive Board has been decided. Congrats to all the winners, and our regards to everyone else.

While the promises of elections are still fresh in everyone’s minds, however, we’d like to make a few requests for the upcoming semester.

— Next year will be a fresh start in many ways, but none more important than the arrival of the next University president. For the first time in almost two decades there will be someone new in the top office of the Couper Administration Building, and this change is an amazing opportunity for the SA to build a new, better relationship with the president — one that’s based on respect, not one-sided compromise. As the elected representatives in one of the few universities with student-run governments, SA Executive Board members can and should take a harder stance against the administration on issues like the basketball breakdown and the cancellation of CSA’s Carnival. It’s time to set a new precedent.

— It’s no secret that Binghamton University is an apathetic campus; the basketball rally, which had over 800 confirmed attendees on Facebook but less than 50 actual participants, can attest to that. It’s been this way for a long time, but that’s no reason for the status quo to continue. The SA needs to do more to get people involved. Whether it be organizing more campus-wide events like the semi-formal and Frost Fest, using the resources of the SA to help student groups advertise or simply standing in the middle of campus with signs, the SA needs to take steps to make students care.

— On a similar note, the SA needs to be more accessible to the student body. This means holding forums for student feedback at times people may actually attend — not, for example, Fridays at noon, when the attendance is practically guaranteed to be nonexistent. If the SA truly wants opinions, why not hold these meetings in dining halls around dinner time, or in other populated locations?

— As our elected representatives, the SA’s responsibilities stretch beyond doing a good job in the office. Please, truly “wear your SA letter on your sleeve” next year, and remember the campaign promises on which we elected you; hang them on the wall of your new office as a reminder, if necessary. An honest, drama- and fighting-free year would be a first, but we’re hopeful that it can happen.

— And finally, for those of you who were incumbents or moving up in the SA, keep up this year’s good work. We’ll be watching you.