For Kathy Spenos, today's Student Government Association inauguration is a wake-up call.
As the hours count down to the time SGA's new executive administration takes office, the Team Tietz secretary still can't believe the administration's time in office is over.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet because I still have stuff going on," she said. "I really feel like I was just standing in the room for inauguration for us."
Team Tietz, comprised of President Ben Tietz, Vice President Mike Piercefield, Secretary Kathy Spenos and Treasurer Matt Filer, has served as Ball State's executive slate since March 24, 2004. The group will leave office today as Team Us takes its place during SGA inauguration at 3:15 p.m.
However, the four executives are working right through their final minutes in office, Tietz said. Tietz is still interviewing candidates for the Mayor's Commission this morning and plans to announce his final choices during inauguration this afternoon, he said. Spenos has been staying busy with student trustee applications as well, she said.
"We're still getting phone calls and we're still running around like mad people," Tietz said. "I seriously think we're insane. We just keep working."
LOOKING BACK
The members of Team Tietz couldn't have imagined the time commitment involved with being executive officers in SGA, they said. If there was one thing they wish they would have known when they came into office, it's how much time they would be spending in the office.
"It's a lot more work than people think it is, especially when you have someone like Ben keeping you on top of things," Piercefield said laughing.
But now that their time is almost up, the four students admitted they don't know what to do with free time anymore.
"I think student government has been such a big part of all our lives, it's going to be odd not coming in [the office] everyday," Filer said.
"I want to have free time, it sounds like fun," Tietz said jokingly. "I don't really know, maybe I'll just spend more time doing homework."
Spenos said they had a difficult year and were forced to deal with many difficult situations. Team Tietz came into office just as the "Police Yourself" educational campaign about drinking and the university's policies began. They dealt with the aftermath of student Karl Harford's shooting death. The team's first vice president Olufunmbi Elemo resigned in August 2004 amidst controversy about minor consumption after she was cited at a Lambda Chi Alpha house party.
"We went through so much together ... and just to see these guys grow and change over the year and meet every expectation I had of them," Tietz said. "They didn't ever complain. I know that they wanted to, but they didn't."
REACHING GOALS
Amidst the controversies, Team Tietz managed to work on every one of their platform items, Tietz said. While they weren't able to accomplish all the goals they set out for themselves, which Tietz said no administration ever has, every item was researched and looked into.
Among the administration's accomplishments were getting Bracken Library to extend its hours, re-instating SGA's co-sponsorship of student organization activities, revamping Ball State's recycling program, extending the shuttle service hours and creating a student commission to improve Ball State relations with the city of Muncie.
"It's been a long working year," Piercefield said. "We did what we said we were going to do. I'm glad it's over."
Although Piercefield will graduate from Ball State at the end of the summer and complete an internship during the fall semester, he said he plans to visit SGA and attend some of the Student Senate meetings during the rest of the year.
Spenos will graduate in May and plans to focus her time on finding a job, but she said she will stay in contact with SGA.
Filer, who graduates May 2006, said he plans to continue his involvement in SGA and may take a National Pan-Hellenic Council seat in Student Senate.
While Tietz is a senior, he will not graduate until next May. He wants to take a step back from responsibility, but Tietz said he doesn't think he cannot stay detached from student government. He is serving in the University Senate as well as various task forces next year.
Tietz said he has a bitter-sweet attitude about leaving office, while Filer and Piercefield are excited and Spenos is sad. But they all said they will miss serving the students and miss each other. Spenos said she will probably cry but try to remain positive at today's ceremony.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened," she said.
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