Student Senate officers for 2014 inaugurated

As one of his last official duties in office, Chancellor Emeritus Harold M. Maurer, M.D., swore in UNMC’s 2014 Student Senate officers and members last week.

Krupa Savalia, M.D./Ph.D. student in the Graduate College, is the first woman president in 15 years.

This year, the Graduate College is well represented in the Senate leadership with Alicia Schiller, Ph.D. student, as vice president, and Brian Coburn, M.D./Ph.D. student, as treasurer. Levi Zehr, first-year medical student, is secretary.

Dr. Maurer praised the accomplishments of the outgoing officers and senators and advised the incoming members of the challenges they face in the new year.

“The changes in the year ahead will be significant,” he said mentioning the interim University of Nebraska president, the eventual new president and the new UNMC chancellor.

Among the challenges he listed were possible tuition increases, expansion of the fitness center and the new clinical enterprise at the medical center. Dr. Maurer also said students need to be mindful of the impact on medical education with the e-learning initiative and the new facilities that will be built on campus.

Savalia presented Dr. Maurer and outgoing president Jeremy Hosein, fourth-year medical student, with plaques to commemorate their service to the Student Senate.

“Our Student Senate has been effective because of UNMC’s leadership,” she said. “Dr. Maurer allowed us to express ourselves and listened to us.”