March 23, 2018
Dear Longhorns,
As the campus-wide election season comes to a close, I'd like to congratulate all of the candidates, volunteers, voters and newly-elected student leaders who participated.
This year, we had the highest voter turnout in the history of The University of Texas at Austin. Days of campaigning turned into weeks spent behind tables on campus, with the many dedicated campaigners reaching out to students. And although there were disputes and tension along the way, they did not overwhelm the positive messages of progress and self-improvement. We must now take the opportunity to move forward together, bound by our shared desire to enhance student life and the educational experience on the Forty Acres.
Now is a time to remember what it means to be a Longhorn — to listen and learn from one another — not just today, but every day throughout the year.
As newly-elected members of the student government executive alliance prepare to assume leadership in April, I believe they will do so in the spirit of openness, fairness and respect. Together, we will also begin making structural modifications to the election code, including a significant action voters approved during the special election.
Thank you for listening, seeking knowledge and communicating respectfully with one another.
Let's work together. Let's move forward together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students