Reflections from Sadia Habib, 2021 Union Board President
It’s been my pleasure to lead the 112th Board this past year through all our ups and downs. We have gone through a lot – starting off in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic when physical programming was difficult to implement and at a time when Union Board’s culture was at an unbelievably shaky point. We then moved to a full-blown opening, where it seemed like 1.5 years of missed events were asked to happen in a single fall semester and a board culture that has since been livelier than I’ve seen it in my three years as director. The 112th Board has acted as a beautiful transition between the old of 111th to the new that is to come in 113th.
I see our board as a bridge – a bridge between the world of Zoom calls and virtual events to hybrid and in-person concerts. A bridge between a culture that was damaging to something that’s like a flower, blossoming into friendships and collaborations. A bridge between the old and the outdated methods to giving the means to the new board to change the way things are done – whether that’s by changing of rules or functions or even the entire organizational structure. We are leaving ideas and giving ways for this next board and every board after to have the opportunity to be better, to reach newer heights – all of which was only possible because of each and every one of our directors, non-student directors, and advisors.
My favorite part that Union Board has given me were the bonds and friendships I’ve made on this board, that I know for a fact I will have for years to come. Though the basis of our work came with incredible professional growth that included a lot of long nights and difficult conversations, it was important to remember we had each other through it all. I’m happy to say that my bonds became my strength. All of us together, worked in our own unique ways to create a large working organization – certainly a force to be reckoned with within the IU community.
I’m happy to say we are leaving this organization in a way better place than we found it. Funnily enough, every board has gone on to say they were the greatest (though I will undoubtedly argue 112th was the best in future biennials), but in my three years, I’ve learned that our aim is not to be the best ever – as that would mean the peak, after which we would only go downhill. Instead, every board’s goal is really to ensure we provide a bridge that sets the next board up for success. So, I am proud to say we were the best bridge that has come and the best bridge you’ve seen in Union Board history thus far.
Thank you to all this who made this possible. I’m incredibly excited to see the organization reach even newer heights from here on out.=
Sadia Habib
112th Union Board President
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