Blickstead spoke of some of the accomplishments of the council, focusing on efforts to bring the council together as a community.

“We believed that friendship among members would create a more united and productive UC,” said Blickstead, who fought back tears when thanking his brother and friends near the close of the speech.

Mahan, after congratulating the council on a year of action, warned members of the danger of not restructuring the council.

Mahan highlighted council progress on communication with the administration, which he said helped bring about blue light phones, universal keycard access and 2 a.m. party hours.

“But with expansion comes pressure, and we are about to burst at the seams,” Mahan said.

He warned that without major structural reform, the council would see “more bounced checks, more out-of-touch social events and more weeks where the council is ready to mutiny.”

Mahan ended his speech with thank yous—and an apology—to friends and Blickstead.

“I hope I can make up to you everything I’ve kind of sacrificed the past three years,” Mahan, shedding tears, said to friends.

Glazer then took the stage, and told the outgoing leaders, “You guys have personally changed all of us.”

He then offered the outgoing leaders a gift from the entire council—books.

—Staff writer Liz C. Goodwin can be reached at goodwin@fas.harvard.edu.