Members of the Black Student Alliance have a lot to celebrate in recognition of the group’s 30th anniversary and its March 23 election of officers for the 1998-99 school year.

Xavier Allen, sophomore in management information systems, assumed the position of BSA president, while Jacqueline Sowell, sophomore in apparel merchandising, design and production, will hold the vice president spot.

In addition, Shantel Brown, junior in accounting, was appointed next year’s treasurer, and Nicole Meek, sophomore in sociology, will be BSA’s new secretary.

The next Big 12 delegate, who represents BSA at the annual Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government, will be Jason Poindexter, freshman in pre-engineering.

To run for president or vice president, candidates needed to have at least a 2.0 grade point average and must have attended over 50 percent of the BSA meetings held this year.

In addition, the president of BSA must be “the official spokesperson” for the group, said Jay Berry, BSA adviser and adjunct assistant professor of English and African American studies.

Berry said the BSA president chairs and runs the cabinet sessions on Thursday nights and has the power to appoint members.

Berry added that the vice president chairs the general assembly meetings held on Monday nights, but that generally “all of the officers work together in a cooperative basis.”

The Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, had more than 70 students from Iowa State at the conference. Of all the Big 12 universities, ISU’s BSA represented the largest number of attendants.

Aside from the conference, BSA also is involved in a variety of other activities, Berry said.

BSA sponsors Black Love Week in the fall, and Harambe‚, which means “coming together” in Swahili, during Veishea.

Black Love Week is a collaboration of educational, social and community activities, said Meron Wondwosen, current president of BSA and senior in political science and french.

Wondwosen said last year’s Black Love Week was celebrated with lectures and an open mic night at Cafe Lovish, 2512 Lincoln Way, during which students read poetry and showcased their talents.

This year’s Harambe‚ will kick off the BSA’s 30th anniversary, Wondwosen said.

On April 16, African American students will get together in a “Black Out” at the Black Cultural Center, 517 Welch Ave., where they will eat lunch and attend workshops.

In addition, a step show, sponsored by BSA, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Awareness Support System, will be held at 8 p.m. on April 17. A non-alcoholic Harambe‚ party will follow the step show.

The Annual Harambe‚ Olympics, featuring basketball, softball and volleyball, will be held the morning of April 18. Indoor events also will be planned in case of inclement weather.

The Harambe‚ Talent Showcase Extravaganza, which will feature dancing, singing and stepping, will be held April 18.

On Sunday, a Harambe‚ barbecue will be held at the Black Cultural Center.

Berry said BSA is open to all African American students, and that other students can petition to join.