Final Post

Hello, this will be my last post on this site, as my time in MSA is now officially expired. I was not sure exactly what to do with this last post, but I think I will do a personal review of myself, and the Assembly as a whole.
My accomplishments as a Representative and ERC chair:
-Unanimously passed a resolution supporting the mayor's lease-signing ordinance, along with inviting him to our meeting to discuss it.
-Helped create the MSA liaison position to the City Council, and elected Laura Van Hyfte
-Worked with the New West Side Alliance to put on a City Council Debate
-Attended AMU conferences, Campus Neighbors group meetings, AA City Council meetings, and Mortarboard
-Passed a resolution to maintain divestment from the Darfur region
-Passed a resolution condemning Fred Phelps and his hate speech
-Organized a call-in day on the Diag to urge Congress to vote against the "Raid on Student Aid"
Weaknesses
-Voted against a resolution to condemn the MCRI. At the time, I thought it was pointless and unnecessary, but if given the chance again, I would vote "yes"
-Did not do enough with higher education funding
-Did not do enough to develop new leadership for the External Relations Committee for when I'm no longer the chair
-Did not recruit students for city council committees. I think this is a great idea that I did not have time to explore as chair, and I will encourage future chairs to do so.

Strengths of the Assembly
-Many speakers have been brought to campus, and we have done much that benefits the whole campus, not just a select few
-Students of color have been given a proper voice on the assembly
-Many freshmen have been added to commissions, and are being more involved in the assembly

Weaknesses
-Too many reps do not do their job properly
-There is only one viable party, limiting the options of voters
-Our accomplishments are not publicized well enough, and our failures are overblown (The Daily has a lot to do with this one)
-People get hang up on bureaucratic procedures, and too often let personal politics get in the way of helping out the students.
-People do not work with each other on projects, limiting our potential (Ludacris was an exception

So there you have it, one man's review of the Assembly. I want to thank everyone who reads this (I know there are at least two of you!), everyone who has helped out the ERC, everyone who keeps themselves informed, registered, and VOTES!

What's next for me? You may see me running for city council of Ann Arbor, if all goes well. You may see me "teaching for America." But then again, you may see me working at Shaman Drum and applying to law school. I hope y'all have had as much fun reading this as I have had writing it. I would like to end this with one anecdote that demonstrates why I have been so committed to the Assembly. When I was out on the Diag recruiting students to use their cell phones to call their Congressional representatives, I stopped a fellow student on a bike. When I asked him to call, he did not hesitate to call. After calling, he asked who I was with, an d I told him MSA. A look of shock fell over his face, and he responsded "Wow, I didn't think you guys actually did anything important. Keep it up." It is times look those that I know it has all been worth it.
Good night and good luck