For this academic year, Alyssa Morley and myself, Veronica Faison, will have the honor of being your Student Government Association President and Vice President, respectively. I couldn’t think of a better way to leave behind a legacy of positive change than by representing my student body. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend our senior year.

On Sept. 27, SGA will hold elections for open senate seats. I’ve been asked by countless students, “what exactly does SGA do?”

I launch into a long-winded explanation that ends with their names on the SGA interest form. But it also prompts the question of “what do you want SGA to be?” and I want to lay out the vision for you. We’re focused on normalizing transparent communication, on energizing our campus morale/spirit and on issues of retention. Even though we’re already elected in office, I’m still going to do my best and persuade you to care as much about these three initiatives as Alyssa and I do. They reflect who we are as individuals, but more importantly it reflects the needs of this campus (and how to meet them.)

Transparent communication

Those of you who know us personally probably already know that Alyssa is unapologetic and blunt and fierce, and you know that I physically cannot keep quiet when I feel like there’s something that needs to be said. This first initiative sums up who we are when we work together. Perhaps we overshare, but it is important to us that the people we’re representing know what is being done on their behalf.

There won’t be any shadiness in what we do; both our achievements and our faults are here for all to see in Florida sunshine. Those with influential roles sometimes make decisions and inform others on a “need-to-know” basis; however, it’s clear to me that students should always be grouped with those who “need-to-know.” Luckily, no one is giving out nuclear codes. There is no hierarchy of information when it’s pertinent to a student’s experience here because our roles are based on student interests and our job is to advocate for them. We are your administration, so students are the only people we answer to.

Campus morale

Having “school spirit” doesn’t begin to capture the kind of presence we have when we’re together. All the cheers we yell at games couldn’t describe just what being part of this “Hatter Nation” means. The word “community” alone doesn’t do it. We love each other like family: loud and unconditional. Even when we fight, we still come together every night at the dinner table. We’ve suffered deep losses lately and sometimes I think “how are we ever going to recover from this?” But then I see us all together, checking up on friends and strangers alike. We show up for each other and light our way through darkness. To honor the people we’ve lost, we’re going to be like family all the time. I’m going to love this place proudly because I love its people proudly. It starts small. Like showing up to your roommate’s basketball games even though you don’t understand sports. Showing up to open mic night at Uncouth because your best friend is performing. Showing up to a stranger’s senior recital. Showing up for each other.

Retention

This is a loftier, more ambiguous goal of ours. We love this place and see all the opportunity it holds, but not everyone can or does. And if someone doesn’t find their niche at this university, they leave before they ever get a chance to experience that Hatter pride that we always talk about. If students don’t find a group of people who understand their backgrounds and experience, they can feel isolated. For administration, retention is the main scope, but we believe that coordinating with student representatives can achieve more lasting change. By SGA working more closely with other student representative bodies, such as the Multicultural Student Council, and building on the efforts in the first two initiatives, we can breathe life into the data analyzed by the administration. Our joint goal is to make sure students are understood by one another so we don’t only build on efforts of inclusion, but also ensure that all students find a home here. Here at Stetson, where there is always room at the dinner table for one more seat.

Info Session on Sept. 20; Elections on Sept. 27

I encourage those interested in running for SGA to attend the info session on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the duPont-Ball Library 25L at 7:30 p.m. or contact our Secretary of Communications, Abigail Hassett, at [email protected] for information on how to run and the process for involvement.

In order to run, interested candidates must attend at least one info session and the last one is Sept. 20. Candidates then campaign on their own behalf, spreading their message to fellow students before the election. There are 36 senators in total, with the following openings this year: five seats up for the campus at-large; three seats for Commuter students: two seats for students in the College of Arts and Sciences; and four seats for first year students in the Class of 2021. The SGA website gives more information on the duties and standing committees of the Senate.

Voting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students can either vote through HatterSync by bringing up the SGA page or in person at multiple polling stations held in front of the Carlton Union Building and the Lynn Business Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Those elected will attend their first Senate retreat that same night, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Rinker Auditorium, LBC 108.

For more information contact [email protected] or visit the Stetson SGA Facebook page.

-SGA Vice President Veronica Faison writes a periodic column about SGA happenings.