The struggle to find a clear path toward student self-governance does not come as a surprise. It shouldn’t.

With 65 nationalities represented and 51 languages spoken in the Class of 2016 alone, it is only natural to expect different interpretations of the same word. Recent disagreements over the latest General Assembly agenda items exemplify this. Time and again we have touted our differences as a building block for the NYUAD community. It is a defining characteristic to be proud of, no matter how difficult times are.

We go to a great university and we cannot forget that. For the rest of our lives, we will remain indebted to the people and the institution we call family. Our agreements, disagreements and actions for progress are only made possible through our acceptance into the United Arab Emirates and the NYUAD family, and it is with this gratitude that I opine on student self-governance in our community.

For the next few years, NYUAD will remain a ‘small’ institution in its early stages of development. As a result, the internal issues and conflicts that arise are capable of spreading like wildfire throughout the tight-knit community. Nevertheless, we stand at the dawn of a transition period. Three months from now we will welcome our fourth class; a year from now, our new home on Saadiyat Island. With individual class sizes expected to increase soon thereafter, we’ll be entering a whole new ballgame.

We’ve all been through transition periods in our lives: switching schools as children, moving from high school to college and our good friend puberty to name a few. And while some are more important than others, balance remains the key to any successful transition.

To the point: while it may seem illogical to involve the administration in the early phases of student self-governance, it is necessary for a sustainable transition into an entirely student-run system. It is foolish for the student body to think that the valuable, critical, and constructive feedback of the very people who make this world-class education possible can be simply disregarded.

At this time, the student body cannot afford to exclude the administration in all affairs. Arguments will erupt, students can be affected by deleterious comments and there will always be unforeseen confrontations outside student control - at least in this early, developing state.

On one count, this is the simple law of the precautionary principle - the need to anticipate excessive harm in an environment of uncertainty through preventive action.

On another count, it’s about staying true to character. Is it right and just to completely exclude administrative involvement at a fragile time when our institution is being criticized left and right? We need to stop viewing the administration as the ‘other’ and begin incorporating them as cooperative and integral members of our community. Collaboration is imperative. The administration provides us with the opportunity to study at an unprecedented institution. In 2010 they opened the doors of the Down Town Campus and Sama Tower to promising students from all over the world. Most importantly, they chose to create a community with us. It is our ability to rise above our differences and work together that sets our family apart from any other.

One day, NYUAD will achieve self-governance that is truly by students, of the students, and for the students. To get there, we must be patient and enduring. We must persevere and act for the collective good. Now is not the time to separate ourselves from the family that welcomed us; not at a time when our greatest calling is to move forward as one whole community. While today may not be that day, our hard work and determination will take us there in the near future. Student self-governance is not given; it is earned. Only when we prove that we can resolve internal conflicts with moderate administrative involvement can we propose an entirely student-run system.

It is a modest start, sure. But it is the first step forward.