By Mike Robbins

At this time last year, Melissa Matesic and Matt MacIntyre were fresh off the heels of their USG election victory. But now, as their term as President and Vice-President ends, it's a time to reflect on what was accomplished during their tenure, and what could have been. The two graduating seniors feel they have had successful stints as leaders of the student body. They have given their thoughts as the 2001 academic year and their careers in student politics come to a close.

Matesic, a member of USG since her freshman year, has been pleased with her work over the past year. She says USG was able to accomplish many things, though it was far from a perfect year.

"Our main goal this year was the New Student Lounge, Plaza Access, money on ID cards for copies and longer hours for computer and library," she said.

While progress was made with the Student Lounge, Plaza Access and money on student ID cards, extended hours for the computer room and library has yet to happen.

According to Matesic, "We did work hard on this [longer hours] issue, but what people do not understand is that this is one issue that is out of our hands, the reason it is not open longer is because there is a lack of funds to hire someone to work longer hours."

A lack of funds? That would explain the current hiring freeze, I suppose.

The computer lab was supposed to have a swipe system installed and active by this point earlier in the semester, but it is not yet active. I recall that this was almost a definite, according to an article written by this same author last semester. I guess it's that lack of funds thing again, eh? Where does our $30,000 a year go again?

What does Matesic regret?

"... I wish we could have handed out the Student Directories earlier."

This was one that USG has received a great deal of heat over. Instead of the directories coming out in October, students never received them until January. And has anyone's professor handed them a USG teacher evaluation form in the fall or spring? Just wondering, cause I haven't seen them. I guess Fordham has run out of paper too.

MacIntyre, who served as USG Secretary last year, added "...Although we did not necessarily bring about change in every area, we were the voice of the students at College Council, Board of Trustee meetings, as well as weekly meetings with any number of different deans, depending on the issue."

While you would think since USG represents the students, there would be more students actively involved, it's not the case.

"The one thing that displeased me the most was clearly the separation of USG from the student body. The more input we receive, the better we can represent the student body as a whole. Every USG meeting is open to any student interested but for the most part we rarely had more than two or three students outside of USG in attendance. Often, students don't even realize what USG does. A great deal of what we accomplish is not necessarily connected to us so students don't realize the impact we had on these events."

Isn't it interesting that we have a Liberal Arts college with so many students who do nothing but complain about the school, and yet none of them care enough to go to these meetings and make their voices heard? I guess they were too busy going to their Ralph Nader conventions.

The two lame ducks, Matesic and MacIntyre, are far from their crude moniker. Their feelings as to what they have accomplished are high as are their expectations of the incoming executives.

Matesic has a feeling of accomplishment and hope for the future of FCLC — but was she too tough on her members?

"...Sometimes, I think during the meetings I was too harsh on people, but not because I wanted to be mean but because I wanted each member to do what they were supposed to and live up to why they were elected. Students believed we could do the job well and that was why we were elected. As for the future of USG, next year will be great because there is a good group of people elected."

Please, too harsh on people? If you (gasp) offend someone, well, they should realize that you are their superior.

McIntyre feels very good about the work he did as a student representative.

"I feel very good about my job as a student representative. I know that I gave everything I could to make life at Fordham better for students. I thoroughly enjoyed my two years on USG and I am very proud of what we have accomplished," he adds.

With an end to their stay in office at 113 West 60th Street, so comes an end to their educational career at FCLC. With an interest in many different fields, Melissa Matesic is forgoing a future in politics to shoot for a career in TV broadcasting. MacIntyre, who "has always loved politics" is planning on heading to law school after brief travels which include New Mexico and Italy.

Their time in FCLC is up, and now it's time for President-elect Margaret Pesce, FCLC '02, and Vice-President elect Mitchell Malnati, FCLC '03, to take the reigns of USG.