Student Association President Joe Frascello said he has big plans for his presidency, including working on student involvement, student engagement and transparency.

Frascello, Vice President Raquel Chavez and Treasurer Husam Salem were inaugurated as the 2014-2015 Student Association Executive Board during a ceremony Friday. Paul Julion, elected as the student trustee, will be inaugurated during a separate event by the Board of Trustees.

Former SA President Jack Barry gave a short speech in which he delivered words of advice to the future executive board, challenging them to step up and reminding them of the responsibility they have to effect change with the power they now possess.

“Remember, you guys are not here to point out problems; you’re here to fix problems,” Barry said.

Frascello said he is dedicated to bringing Huskie-Line Puppies to campus. Huskie-Line Puppies are mini-electric buses that will run off electricity and solar power technology.

“We want to make sure we have a fun campus, a campus that students want to come back to,” Frascello said.

Continuing good relationships with student organizations while improving relationships with all organizations are two things Frascello said could be improved. Frascello said all student organizations should feel like a significant part of the SA and part of the team.

“There’s some student organizations that feel underrepresented, and it’s part of my job to make sure that feeling is eliminated,” Frascello said.

Frascello said his tenure as director of the Mass Transit Board has enabled him to develop his leadership skills and earned him professional experience. As he worked with administrators and students on a regular basis, Frascello said it was a stressful and time-consuming job.

Frascello plans to use everything he’s learned and apply it to his term as president.

Frascello said he hopes to make sure the administration’s vision comes to fruition, while also making sure students feel like a crucial part of the vision. Frascello has already met with administrative members, including NIU President Doug Baker and Bill Nicklas, vice president of Operations and Community Relations.

“It’s up to us to make sure we’re following through with these great improvements for the next year and the next decade,” Frascello said, regarding the administration’s goals.

All directors, as well as the executive board members who served under Barry, were present at the Friday ceremony.

There were 40 applicants this year for presidential cabinet positions, double the amount that applied last year, Frascello said.

Brett Williams, director of Mass Transit, said he’s excited for the great opportunity to succeed Frascello as the director of Mass transit. Working under Frascello as vice chairman of the Mass Transit Board has prepared him for the job, Williams said.

“I’m going to meet with the general manager of the bus company to discuss future route changes,” Williams said. “I’m ready to hit the ground running. I’m very excited.”

Williams said he plans to do a better job communicating, publicizing routes and closing a few of the gaps on campus.