The final days

Current MSA president preps for transition

Next week, Michigan Student Assembly President Trent Thompson will be handing his gavel over to the newly-elected assembly president that the student body will select during elections held today and tomorrow.

Although deeming his administration a successful one, Thompson said he suffered several serious setbacks this year.

His first came as early as last June, when he presented his initial report to the University Board of Regents.

"I said what I felt," Thompson explained. "I basically told everyone what I thought they were doing wrong."

DANA LINNANE/Daily Current Michigan Student Assembly President Trent Thompson sits on the steps of Angell Hall yesterday -one week before he will pass on his responsibilities to new assembly leaders.

That report, Thompson said, "set back administrative relations for a good five or six months."

From the incident, Thompson said he learned to be tactful when dealing with administration - and said he was certain that during the remainder of his term, MSA's relationship with University administration was mended.

His second learning experience came in the delivery of his convocation speech last fall to 1998's first-year students.

He forgot the speech.

But, Thompson said, he was glad he forgot it - because it showed the incoming University students that even the MSA president isn't perfect.

Thompson said that despite the setbacks, he achieved his primary goal of making the assembly a "projects mill" that prioritized getting "concrete projects done," adding that accomplishments such as the online Off Campus Housing Guide and the Student Coursepack Store made MSA more project-focused.

During the second semester of his administration, MSA saw the Defend Affirmative Action Party obtain a significant number of seats and Thompson was concerned that with the addition of a third party, the assembly would experience further polarization.

But although assembly representatives took part in some tense and confrontational moments, Thompson said members of the assembly all worked towards the same goal.

"I put my heart and soul into this organization," Thompson said.

Seconding that motion, MSA Treasurer Bram Elias said Thompson "laid the groundwork for what could be the best MSA ever."

MSA Vice President Sarah Chopp said she enjoyed working with Thompson during the past year. "We built a better repore with administration without losing sight that our main goal is to represent the students," Chopp said.

Thompson's advice to the next MSA president? "Ensure the assembly feels it is a whole."

Thompson said he would gladly work with whoever wins the MSA presidency, but thinks the Blue Party's executive slate of Elias for president and former MSA Rep. Andy Coulouris for vice president will lead "an assembly that will work together as a unit."

In reaction to Thompson's decision to support Elias and Coulouris, Chopp, who is running for MSA president in the upcoming elections under the Students' Party slate, said she was disappointed. "I still have a tremendous amount of respect for Trent," Chopp said. "We just have different work styles."

Rackham Rep. and Defend Affirmative Action Party presidential candidate Jessica Curtin said Thompson's preference of candidates should not make a difference during elections, adding that the student body should be empowered to vote today and tomorrow.

As Thompson prepares to turn his duties over to a new assembly president next week, he said during the summer, he plans to travel to his cottage in Caseville, Michigan and "relax for three months."

Thompson said he wants to keep up his involvement with the University's Binge Drinking Task Force and Students Active in Non-Alcoholic Activities next school year.

03-24-99