By Haylei John, President of SGA
With the final meeting of the 2017-18 Student Government Association (SGA) having taken place on Thursday, and elections for the coming academic year closing, the current Executive Board is preparing to pass the baton to a new set of representatives. The outgoing Student Government Association members have much to be proud of and remember from this academic year.
The current Executive Board was committed to keeping the focus of SGA on the everyday concerns of students, including spaces on campus, access to technology and the creation and funding of clubs. SGA was able to work with User Services for Information Technology to create more accessible printing locations for students on campus. The printers located in the Plassmann lounge, Doyle and the hallway connecting De La Roche and Walsh were put in place due to these collaborative efforts. We’ve also worked to open up more spaces on campus to be used as 24/7 study spaces – based on student input. While some spaces have already been opened, this goal will carry over to the next Executive Board and representatives to follow.
A total of seven grants were provided to campus clubs and organizations through SGA this academic year, which allows for increased on-campus events for all of the student body to enjoy. A major goal of the Executive Board this year was to provide greater support for clubs and events, which has been accomplished in the form of funds and increased communications. We have welcomed a number of newly chartered clubs to meet the interests of students, including the Health and Wellness Club and Spoken Perspectives. Student engagement has always been the top priority of SGA and we feel as though this has been made especially clear this academic year.
The Student Government Association also ensured that the voices of the students were represented in all decisions. We were able to make a formal recommendation to adapt the smoking policy on campus, based entirely on student responses to the smoking survey. The students have also been represented in Faculty Senate and numerous other campus-wide committees. This year has shown a clear increase in student representation, with 56 total members in SGA.
Serving as Executive Board President of the Student Government Association has truly been an honor. I have had the rewarding opportunity to work with so many of my fellow students in pursuing goals that affect the daily lives of students at St. Bonaventure. My fellow executive officers, Hamaad, Geoffrey and Deepak, have been amazing partners throughout the entire year, and the entirety of SGA has contributed so much to positively influencing campus. We have all received immense support from Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Nichole Gonzalez, Assistant Director for the Center of Activities, Recreation and Leadership Robbie Chulick and Interim Executive Director for Residential Living and Conduct Rob DeFazio in all of our efforts as a SGA, for which all of the members are grateful. Thank you to all students, staff and administration for a great year.
