As his career at the center of UB's political scene draws to a close, George Pape can finally relax on the subject of SA elections.
"This is the first time in four years I can sit back and enjoy the process," Pape said as he sat back in his chair and laughed. "This is the first time I don't have to worry about what I say."
This spring, however, Pape faces a full slate of campus issues, including March's elections, April's Springfest and the advocacy of student concerns to UB's new president.
According to Pape, rumors about potential candidates for the spring elections are rampant. Some students have speculated that Anthony Burgio, the current SA treasurer, will run for office.
"The only thing I can tell you is that I'm graduating, Jocelyn (Tejeda, SA vice president) is graduating, and Anthony is a junior," Pape said.
Petitions to run for office are due on March 10, with campaigns starting on March 21 and the voting beginning on March 29.
None of the candidates who run for office will receive official support from the outgoing president, as Pape said he would not endorse any of the candidates.
"That's up to the students to decide," he said.
Pape said he is as excited as ever about the rest of the SA agenda and hopes to build on the successes of last semester while addressing issues both old and new.
"Our biggest success (last semester) would probably have to be Fallfest," Pape said. "It worked out very well. The genre worked, the collaboration worked, and obviously God smiled down on us when we said we could have it outside."
The next big thing for SA following its Fallfest success: Springfest. Possible dates for the festival's concert -- Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 -- have already been discussed.
While Pape said SA has yet to send bids to possible performers, he said surveys show students want a mixed genre concert.
"While students favor a rock-esque band, they also indicated overwhelming interest in a collaboration," he said.
"I'd go, but it depends who's playing," said Paul Hedley, a senior communications major. "Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Foxy Brown, Blink 182, Coldplay - whoever's hot right now. I like all types of music."
In his last semester in office, one focus of Pape's administration will be working with a newcomer to UB: President John Simpson.
"I think it's important that there are open lines of communication between President Simpson and the Student Association," Pape said.
Pape, who met Simpson informally earlier this month, has yet to schedule an official meeting with the new president.
However, he told The Spectrum the difficulty of parking on North Campus is the first issue he wants to discuss with Simpson.
"If you can solve the parking problem, you're God," Pape said.
According to Pape, the direction of the search for UB's next provost and the future of housing construction are near the top of the list of items he also wants to discuss with Simpson.
Pape said he also wants to ensure that a planned renovation of Alumni Arena will not decrease the amount of student recreation space in the building.
"I hope the president will fully support our abilities to harness such large facilities," he said.
Also on the SA agenda for this semester is the placement of the fiberglass buffalo that was bought last semester and will be dedicated to former president William Greiner.
One site Pape is considering for the buffalo is outside the Student Union next to the electronic sign. Pape said he wants to repair the sign or budget for a new one.
"We're going to replace that sign out there," said Pape. "Something happened with the electrical circuits, and it was fried."
Two days ago Pape found out that to fix the sign would cost $26,000.
"When I saw that figure I thought it would be cheaper to buy a new sign," he said.
The budget for a new sign would come from SA, which Pape believes not only needs to work on the university's problems this semester, but also its own.
"What we'd like to improve upon -- and it is something that has plagued presidents long before me -- is the disbursement of information to the student body in a prudent manner," said Pape. "There is a lot of miscommunication within the Student Association, which I want to clear up quickly."
But that miscommunication, said SA Assembly speaker Adam Sherlip, should not worry UB students.
"I think students should take comfort in the fact that SA knows what it has to fix," he said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
