SGA is continuing to spread information regarding the April 7-13 election cycle. In effort to make students aware of electoral procedures, the organization held a “Slushie Social” on Monday, March 24, in the Student Life Lounge (UC East). Students were able to enjoy a free slushie and have the opportunity to win prizes, all while learning about the SGA elections.
Applications to run for a student government position have been open since February 24 and will close March 27. SGA Chief Justice Leonna Benton, who chairs the election committee, has been notifying students in regards to their application. All applications must go through a verification process through the Dean of Students office.
In the continuous progress towards SGA’s focus of addressing student concerns, SGA President Tamia Smith announced the next steps for the plan during the March 20 general assembly meeting. Smith informed members that the SGA executive board had assigned them to small groups to begin the first steps of communication with departments. The small groups are as follows:
These groups will act as unofficial committees to communicate student concerns to faculty in each department until the end of the year. The groups will report any communications with the departments during future general assembly meetings.
During an advisor report, Britney Orth, Assistant Director of Student Conduct and SGA advisor, shared an update regarding President Trump’s executive order to close the United States Department of Education.
“I’m going to share something with you all because I believe it’s important that we’re all knowledgeable about things that are going on because we are advocates for our students, and so our students may be hearing about this as well,” Orth said. “Within the hour, President Trump had signed an executive order to dismantle and eliminate the Department of Education.”
Orth noted that although the Trump Administration may attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, it will take an act of Congress to fully eliminate the department.
Orth added, “We don’t know how that might impact folks, but I know that there’s people that are concerned of how this can impact any student– K through 12, higher education and especially low-income students and students with disabilities.”
Following the adjournment of the general assembly session, The Shield reached out to Tamia Smith, SGA President, for a statement regarding possible student concerns surrounding the executive order.
“I want students to know that SGA is fully aware of the nation and statewide policies that are changing regarding the Department of Education,” Smith said. “As of right now, we do not have answers for how this may affect USI. However, we are working diligently on meeting with the administration to try and get answers for students. Currently, our [executive] board is working with the President’s office to schedule a meeting with President Bridges to discuss these matters, along with issues of DEI. If students have questions or concerns that they want us to pass on, they should reach out to me!”
Smith can be reached at tnsmith3@eagles.usi.edu, or at her office in UC East during office hours.
SGA holds weekly general assembly meetings on Thursdays in LA 1015. The meetings are open to students.