“Paul has accomplished everything he promised in his campaign and more,” says Student Affairs Committee Chair Rohit Chopra ’04.
Key to Gusmorino’s success is his vision, many on the council say. Early in his term, he developed an unprecedented “UC roadmap,” which provided a schedule of what he would intended to accomplish during his presidency. The roadmap, so far, seems to have the effect Gusmorino wanted—it has not only guided him as president but has inspired the council.
“In the past, the council planned things right before they happened. This year, with the roadmap, we can do longer-term planning,” Gusmorino says.
Gusmorino always refers to the roadmap during meetings, constantly reminding council members of the need to stay on track and follow through on projects as scheduled.
“It sets the tone for people to volunteer for things and follow through with them,” says Lee, now vice president. “All of the things that happened came about through Paul.”
For Gusmorino, the goals listed on the roadmap—such things as extending party hours and universal keycard access—are more than just a vision; he works many hours to ensure that they are accomplished. He is also willing to go undergo the tedium of formal processes, which has endeared him to a University administration weary of dealing with protests and demonstrations from students desiring change.
The Administration
Gusmorino counts Summers and many deans as among his allies and friends. Gusmorino says he keeps administrators informed of council progress and often solicits their input and advice.
“With Paul in office its pretty hard to forget that the council exists,” says Associate Dean of the College David P. Illingworth ’71. “It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort [to achieve what Paul has] and he’s willing to devote the time to it.”
Gusmorino has served on over a dozen committees with administrators and Faculty, giving him vast experience with the workings of the College.
Watching Gusmorino interact with administrators is indistinguishable from watching him discuss bills with the council’s freshman caucus. His enthusiasm for the council is almost childlike.
“He makes it a point to get to know us people of riper years, and it’s not just schmoozing. He really does care about the issues,” Illingworth says.
But his personality and friendships with administrators only partly explain his success in working with the College to further the council’s agenda. Just as through hard work he mastered the nuances of campaigning to win the presidential election, he has also mastered administrative processes.
“He has an uncanny ability to deal with the administration on their own ground,” Smith says. “He has a very keen sense of how the administration thinks and what’s important to them. He knows where there’s leeway and where there isn’t.”
Gusmorino, however, is not sure whether he will translate his success on the undergraduate council to a career in politics when he graduates this year.
His other love, computer technology, also beckons.
“Life is like a good book,” Gusmorino says. “While you’re reading it you have no idea what is going to happen next. After you finish it, you can’t imagine having it any other way.”
And it would be hard for Gusmorino to imagine life without the council.
“This is who I am,” he says.
—Staff writer William M. Rasmussen can be reached at wrasmuss@fas.harvard.edu.