Welcome to Simon! We are proud to have you as part of our distinguished institution and look forward to getting to know you. Each year a new class begins the journey to develop the knowledge and tools to succeed. These very same students also aspire to become leaders, hoping to improve the world around them. My presidential platform and the vision of the new Graduate Business Council are focused on uniting the student body and using these common objectives to develop a stronger sense of community at the Simon School. There are three specific actions that we, the leaders of the Graduate Business Council (GBC), seek to achieve.
The first objective is to strengthen the depth of all the events and programs offered through strengthening our relationship with Student Services and increasing the efficiency of all student organizations at Simon. In our first quarter, the new GBC leadership has worked extensively with incoming student leaders to ensure effective communication between organizations. We also heavily communicate that there are numerous GBC resources available to aid any student or student organization. At this time, we are assisting the cultural organizations gain more exposure to the broader Simon community, which will allow everyone to tap into our collective diversity. We also have begun large, innovative programming, from karaoke to ‘Guitar Hero’ competitions to mixers with the medical school, to bring everyone at Simon together. Check the calendar on SimonExchange and be prepared for extremely exciting events this school year!
Secondly, we will continue to reiterate the importance of integrity, encouraging each member of the community to always be truthful and to fulfill personal obligations. Everyone is also expected to continuously maintain the highest levels of professional conduct, treating one another with dignity and respect. The GBC fully supports and actively endorses the Simon Credo and Honor Code. We consistently communicate these expectations, lead by example, and work to identify sustainable solutions to ethical issues. Both the Simon Administration and the GBC sees integrity as a vital pillar required for a united Simon community.
The third objective of this year’s GBC leadership is an internal reformation. We are reviewing our organization chart to create a more effective council to represent the opinions of the Simon community and to focus on what matters the most to students. A thorough review of our constitution and the corporate sponsorship policy, in addition to strengthening GBC relationships with key administrators (CMC, Alumni Relations, Dean’s Office), are all components of this internal reformation, which is designed to create an effective voice for the student body through our GBC. If you have any recommendations or concerns, we urge you to share them with your representative or to attend a GBC meeting.
As in previous years, we have continued the valued traditions begun by our predecessors. In addition, as our motto encourages us to become “ever better”, the GBC will continuously strive to improve the educational experience and to create a diverse, strong community at Simon.
Charles “Dusty” Riddle
President – Graduate Business Council
Class of 2009