By RAEGAN NEUFELD
Tiger Media Network
The Student Government Association is officially in session for the 2023-24 school year.
SGA’s first meeting, which took place Thursday night, consisted mainly of reports from executive staff. Senators heard about changes on campus and expectations for the year.
President Ella Burrows challenged senators with the task of bringing ideas to discuss during the open forum section of the meetings.
“SGA really does have the power to cause change on campus, and that starts right here at senate meetings,” she said. “Any time you see an issue, I really encourage you to bring that to an open forum or be contacting your constituents about issues they might have.”
Burrows also encouraged senators to promote the freshman elections, which will be Sept. 6. Intent-to-run forms are now on TigerLink.
Legislative Affairs Director Austin Ruff provided updates on the construction in front of Forsyth Library. The road will be open to vehicles starting Sept. 5.
“There were 21 student parking spaces lost,” he said. “There were 16 staff and faculty spaces that were lost, but they were moved across the road. So the only parking that was lost were those student spaces.”
Ruff also discussed the new food service provider on campus. According to him, there has been a positive response to the change.
“I would encourage you if you have any feedback to let us know so we can get that to the right people,” he told senators.
A new addition to SGA this year is the diversity, equity and inclusion director position, filled by Joanna Carrillo. In her report, she discussed the work she has already done with various organizations on campus such as Hispanic American Leadership Organization and Panhellenic Council.
“I’ve also been in contact with Hugo Perez to facilitate a first-generation college student discussion sometime in the near future,” she said.
According to Carrillo, there will be several events throughout the semester focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion that are in the process of being scheduled.
Due to a football game, the next SGA meeting is scheduled for 7 a.m. Sept. 7 in the Black and Gold Room.