Welcome Class of 2016 and welcome back fellow Gators!
My name is Tj Villamil and I’ll be serving as your Student Body president for the 2012-13 academic year. Not only will you have one of the best collegiate experiences in the nation, but the people you will meet here at UF will be your friends for life.
As your Student Body president, I oversee Student Government and represent you on the Board of Trustees. SG at UF is responsible for overseeing students’ $17 million Activity and Service Fee budget. This money benefits all students and enhances their experience while at UF. If you like to be active, check out our nationally recognized Recreational Sports program. For your on-campus home, come visit the Reitz Union. If you want to get involved in any of the more than 900 student organizations on campus, stop by the Student Activities and Involvement office. As for SG, we have many opportunities to make the campus a better place for all Gators.
Within SG, External Affairs represents student issues in front of our local, state and national legislators. For planning concerts, SG Productions brings some of the best up-and-coming artists to campus. Also, Accent Speakers Bureau always entertains by hosting prominent and controversial speakers. Beyond SG’s Executive Branch, you can represent your constituents in the 100-seat Student Senate that holds elections in both Fall and Spring. Come visit us on the third floor of the Reitz Union, visit us online at www.sg.ufl.edu or check us out on Facebook and Twitter for more information on all of the opportunities available.
This is an important year for UF. One of SG’s most ambitious initiatives is to register 5,000 students in Alachua County to have your voice be more accurately represented.
Lastly, the Reitz Union will be expanding this upcoming year. This process requires student involvement, and as a freshman you will hopefully see your hardwork pay off by 2015.
Once again, welcome to UF, and I’ll see you in the Swamp — where only Gators get out alive! Go Gators!
TJ Villamil is UF’s Student Body president.
