The Student Government Association held a listening session to address concerns about the realignment of student services Thursday, Nov. 20, in Carter Hall of the University Center West.

The SGA Listening Session was presented by SGA, Student Affairs and the Student Life Office, where Dr. Mustafa, vice president of student affairs, Leonna Benton, SGA president, Mackenzie Hinton, SGA vice president, and Jenny Garrison, director of student life, sat in a panel to answer student questions regarding any Sodexo and dining, housing, safety, student life and the new alignment with the Center for Campus Life and the Multicultural Center.

No student raised questions regarding Sodexo, dining, housing, safety, or student life until the new alignment was brought up.

Students received an email from the University’s Strategic Communication on Nov. 3 stating that the Center for Campus Life and Multicultural Center will now be called the Student Life Office.

Mustafa said the MCC will now be with all student organizations, like Fraternity and Sorority Life.

“The decision wasn’t based on the data, it was based on executive order,” Mustafa said. “And so that is the turning point. I think that’s really critical to point out.”

Events on other campuses accelerated the realignment at USI.

Mustafa said she wanted to make this change at the end of the semester in July.

“Next thing you know, we had seven days. So how we pivot that fast and that quickly was something that was not foreseen, nor was it planned,” Mustafa said. “It happened at a rate that I didn’t think it would be possible, to be very honest.”

The MCC will move to the lower level of the University Center East.

Mustafa said staff are being moved to the lower floor because the Center for Campus Life has more space downstairs, while Fraternity and Sorority Life will relocate to another area within the Student Life Office.

The staff in Student Life Office positions are Iran Daniels, assistant director of student leadership and services, Jenny Garrison, director of student life, Matthew Hanks, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, Jada Hogg, associate director of student organizations, Deonte Turnley, student communications and content specialist, and Allison Weihe, assistant director of student activities and traditions.

The Student Life Office has two added positions: leadership and service, and student communications and content specialist.

The student organizations will also receive new advisors at the end of the school year.

A new advisor would allow for new perspectives, ideas and connections with students.

Mustafa said it also offers new opportunities for staff and faculty to serve as advisors to student organizations.

“It’s even now, within the MCC, it is very taxing on the staff to run student orgs and then also do their full-time job,” Mustafa said.

Students and staff attended the listening session. Some students lined up behind a microphone to ask questions regarding the alignment. 

There was concern over the scholarships being awarded through the MCC. 

Mustafa said she is not aware of any scholarships from the MCC being removed. 

Dung Nguyen, junior marketing major, said last year, the Asian Student Union hosted its Mask Festival using a diversity and equity inclusion fund. 

In January 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed an executive order to remove DEI initiatives, including DEI funding. 

She asked if there would be a new fund to replace the funding.  

Garrison said there isn’t one, but she is looking to expand resources to fund student organizations through the Student Organization Activity Fund grant. 

Currently, the student organizations receive $400 of funding during the fall and spring semesters. 

In addition, SGA can provide funding opportunities to student organizations through travel grants, student organization support grants and startup grants.  

The meeting also discussed the relocation of the MCC and its impact on student spaces. 

Sanaa Jackson, senior elementary education major, asked if the MCC lounge could remain open for students. 

“I think that’s where a lot of the students have their safe space. That’s where a lot of our students go to hang out and talk,” Jackson said. 

Mustafa said there is no definite answer on what will be done to the space, but she hopes to have more conversations on how to create more spaces on campus. 

Future programs are being reviewed as the time comes. 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Celebration luncheon is still planned for Monday, Jan. 19.

Mustafa said students should continue sharing their feelings and thoughts. 

SGA holds its General Meetings every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Carter Hall, where students can bring forward their concerns.