The new Associated Students Executive Council was sworn into office at the semester’s final A.S. meeting on Wednesday along with the new general council members. San Diego State President Elliot Hirshman stopped by to talk to the new leaders.

“As we look forward to next year, there’s no question this is a time of challenge in California, but it’s also a time for some opportunity for us,” Hirshman said. “People often say it’s darkest before the dawn, but I like to say at night the stars come out.”

The new A.S. Council held its first meeting for the 2012-2013 year. The Council elected former Rules Committee member Shannon Clark as President pro Tempore and seven Executive Committee members to represent students at large: Sean Guardian, Dara Majdi, Helena McAllister, Paul Contreras, Jon Davidi, Brandon Williams and Virginia Johnson.

During the upcoming summer, an A.S. task force led by Matt Cecil, the new Vice President of University Affairs, will work to change the bike lane rules to allow skateboards. Executive Vice President Channelle McNutt started a cultural competency certificate program that can be taken online during the summer. She encouraged all incoming leaders to take it.