Student Government celebrated its 100th birthday at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom Tuesday night with cake, a live band and about 190 guests.
The event, known as the SG General Assembly, described SG’s influence on campus and its ability to create strong student leaders. It featured speeches by UF President Bernie Machen, UF Alumni Association President Jeffery Jonasen and Student Body President Jordan Johnson.
Machen mentioned SG’s past accomplishments, including lobbying in Tallahassee on behalf of students, but also focused on the need for continued cooperation between university officials and SG in the future, especially in the current economic climate.
“The absence of a coherent Student Body voice is chaos,” Machen said.
He also mentioned political leaders UF has produced, such as Bob Graham and Marshall Criser.
Machen said students would play a role in the decision-making process involved in the future of the Reitz Union.
Jonasen, Student Body president from 1987 to 1988, talked about UF’s campus life in the 1980s, which included a less impressive football team and more politically conservative students.
He offered advice to members of SG, encouraging them to remember that the differences of opinion they may have with fellow SG members tend to fade away over time. Their opponents in SG may become political allies in the future, he said.
“You make enemies in Student Government who may become friends,” Jonasen said.
The event also featured a speech from Art Sandeen, the former vice president of student affairs. He described SG’s role in bringing all of the organizations on campus together.
Jordan Johnson capped off the evening with a speech promoting the renovation and expansion of the Reitz Union.
