Student Government Association controls a lot of students' money. As Southeast students, you pay for SGA's budget through general fees. So you pay $1.62 for every credit hour you take directly into the SGA budget. So, for instance, if you take 30 credit hours a year, you pay almost $50 to its fund. In addition, SGA controls the portion of the general fee that goes to the University Speakers Series, which comes up to $1.20 per credit hour, or $36 for a 30-credit-hour year. Overall, they control a lot of money on campus. They can do a lot of things to improve campus, and the elections can set the tone of how that money is spent.
The power that SGA representatives hold is primarily through the money they can spend. They help fund events, conferences and various student organizations as well as the various projects SGA takes on every year. In the past they have created and funded the W.I.N.G.S. shuttle, involvement ambassadors and outdoor seating at Subway.
So vote, because if you ever want funding or wish that your student representatives could do something more substantial with your money, now is the time to make a difference.
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Student Government Association stands on behalf of the student body. It's composed of individuals elected by us to, low and behold, represent us. They hold their positions in order to be a voice on campus thoughts, concerns and ideas. SGA members sit in on advisory boards and other committees for just this reason. They're able to gather the collective viewpoint of a majority and share that with university administrators.
Administrators want to know students' feelings on everything from policy to facilities and services to department-specific matters. And when it comes to fixing an issue, campus leaders are able to address the problem and reach a solution effectively when they can hear student perspectives straight from a student. Our SGA representatives are in place for us. Their opinions are held in a regard, so to speak, because of us.
SGA is there for the student -- period. We can often get in the habit of complaining that we're not listened to because we're "just college students," but it's merely about knowing who to reach out to. We should feel compelled to decide who we want to represent us. You don't vote and nothing you want will move toward change. No choice for a candidate offers no choice on mindset. If you're thinking it, I guarantee you someone else is probably, too.
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Who do you think makes decisions based on the issues and concerns that directly affect you the student? That's right, Student Government Association does. SGA meets weekly at 8 p.m. on Mondays to discuss all problems that come across campus for students and then come up with a way of communicating them through governmental means. These meetings are open to the public, so why not find out what SGA is deciding on for you and them since they are all students as well. For example, whom do you think debates on whether or not students have to pay to hear someone like Mike Matheny speak on campus or adding student fees for maintaining the shuttle system? If you've answered SGA, then you're correct. SGA decides on a variety of things, but most students don't care until they've found out about said decision after it was made. I'm not saying that one has to go to every single SGA meeting, but keeping up with decisions that senators will be debating on during these meetings should drive interest since it is always be about you, the student. This is a nationwide problem, not just for colleges, but also for people that don't attend city council meetings where decisions will be made for that population. Students certainly have a say when a decision affects them, but why don't they care before? Because most students don't take the time to actually find out what SGA is debating on. Pick up an Arrow or attend an SGA meeting every now and then and learn what your fellow students in SGA are deciding for you. Making a decision on who makes decisions for you is something that every student needs to, so go to the portal and vote for who you think would be best in SGA.
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Student Government Association is necessary because we as students need a hierarchy of leadership on campus. Obviously there are administrators in place to help guide us further, but SGA is in place to help give students a voice. Sometimes I think students (often myself included) don't understand the magnitude of the importance these student-leaders hold.
Think of Southeast Missouri State University as the United States. In this sense, the SGA president comprises the executive branch of government, the vice president is essentially the Speaker of the House and the senators comprise the Senate. This subgovernment within our university is put in place to allow students to work with administrators to better the university for all concerned. I think it is very important to pay attention and become involved if possible early on, so we can become informed and knowledgeable citizens. Also, without knowledge of the things happening on campus or in the country, we lack the ability to make change for ourselves or those around us. Being involved and keeping up with current affairs not only helps students feel like a part of the university community, but it also helps students remain well-informed and conscious of the world around them.
In the past, turnout for elections at Southeast has been remarkably low, and leaves the impression that students don't care about a number of things that happen on campus. By not voting, we give up a sliver of that ability to make change, so I encourage you to research the candidates and vote. Vote for the candidates you think are best suited for the university, who you think could help make the biggest impact, because you deserve proper leaders who will care about you and your needs in the long run. So do me a favor and take a few minutes out of your day to help form the future for the university.
