The newly elected members of the Student Government Association having taken office, were sworn in by their predecessors at the Passing of the Gavel ceremony.

In her outgoing address, SGA President Brenda Bedolla spoke to those in attendance about the importance of working together. She also emphasized the importance of students on campus, “We as students are the primary stakeholders of institutions such as this university, because without us, these institutions wouldn’t exist.”

In addition to Bedolla’s exit, new members were sworn in to the SGA, including both the Senate and Council of Clubs.

Nicholas Martinez was sworn in as SGA President for the 2015-2016 academic year. In his first address as President, Martinez informed his fellow constituents of the goals ahead.

“Northeastern says that this school is built for us to learn here, in the city of Chicago, and to lead in the world.” Citing NEIU’s goals of “Learn, belong, achieve, transform,” President Martinez called the SGA to use these as a goals leadership for the rest of the student body.

“There are 12,000 to 13,000 students enrolled in this school, every semester,” said Martinez. “And there are only about 50 or 60 of us here, so we have a strong weight on our shoulders, to lead the other 13,000, to a more academic school, to a more fun school, to a better school where communication is going around.”

Despite a low voter turnout, the SGA is looking to continue working for the students.