Student Government Association Blog

Your Student Body. Your Student Voice. SGA.

Spring Elections

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It is time for you to voice your opinion in the 2020-2021 student body election. There are many things on this year’s ballot and they are all important. The ballot contains the candidates running for Student Body President, Vice President, and Senior Class President, as well as, a new mental health student fee, a Wyrick project, and a senior class gift.

Mental Health Fee

The proposed new student fee of $8 per semester would support hiring more counselors and expand mental health resources to the Counseling Center. Missouri State has experienced a rapid increase in student demands for counseling over the past several years. During the past two academic years, there has been a waiting list, and in fall 2019, it reached 203 students. I encourage you to vote yes to support hiring more counselors and mental health resources for the counseling center.

Wyrick Project

This year’s Wyrick project is to combine the Multicultural Resource Center and the Annex and move it to the, now, Office of Student Engagement space. This would then move the Office of Student Engagement to the level one game center. Currently, the MRC and the Annex are separated. Combining both locations into one and locating it in the PSU right across Starbucks will increase cultural engagement. This project will provide students a place to have a central location among other campus resources, more efficient space utilization within the PSU, and more space with the opportunity for visibility. I encourage you all to vote yes for this project that will enhance the student experience at Missouri State!

Senior Class Gift

Lastly, On this ballot is the Senior Class Gift vote and only Juniors and Seniors can vote for this issue. This year, we are doing a painted bear statue with Campus Recreation. The Bear Statues are the vision of President Smart, and the FRC is one of the most prominent buildings on campus. The Bear will feature a design (being finished now) that encapsulates the perseverance of our class, especially through these current times. I hope you vote in favor, and help leave the Class of 2020 legacy at Missouri State!

Student Body Candidates:

Cole Howerton, President and Chelsey Small, Vice President

First up, we have Cole Howerton running for Student Body President and Chelsey Small running for Vice President! Renee Sinclair is serving as their Campaign Manager. Cole Howerton is a sophomore studying History. He is the current Director of Public Affairs for SGA. Cole wants to make campus inclusive for all students and help improve everyone’s individual campus experience. Chelsey Small is a junior studying Exercise and Movement Science. After being a SOAR Leader and serving as Director of Health and Wellness for SGA, she has learned how to use her voice to make a change in the community. Chelsey wants to help students at MSU feel the power of their voice too.

Together, they will combine their experiences to impact Mental Health, Inclusivity, and Communication at MSU. They want all students to feel confident in their resources and their chances for success. Most importantly, they want to hear your voice and improve Missouri State by your choice. Text 417-319-1257 to anonymously send them your ideas for improving MSU! Follow their social media to learn more about their platform:

Instagram: @yourvoiceyourchoicemsu

Facebook: Your Voice Your Choice Missouri State

Watch their campaign video here: https://youtu.be/ExwS2p8WvL0

Tara Orr, President and Blake Haynes, Vice President

Next up, we have Tara Orr running for Student Body President and Blake Haynes running for Vice President! Apryl Myers is serving as their Campaign Manager. Tara Orr is from Blue Springs, Missouri and is involved in with Student Government Association as the Chief of Staff, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and other leadership programs. Tara’s involvement throughout the years has motivated her to put her skills to the test and run for student body president. Blake is also from Blue Springs, Missouri. Over time, he created a meaningful relationship with his running partner. He discovered that both of them were first-generation students with the ambition to make an impact during their college experience. Blake has been a part of the Student Government Association since 2017, an active member in Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, a University Ambassador, and on the Greek Week Committee. As his roles became more eminent and his drive flourished, Blake decided the time was right to pour into the campus community like those who have poured into him.

Tara and Blake want to use their past experiences and innovate Missouri State! They want to focus on the importance of Student Success, Diversity and Inclusion, and Student Wellness if elected. Through these main points, they would like to increase opportunities for students to be the best prepared for post-college. They want to better diversity and inclusion efforts and make sure student wellness is at the forefront to better Missouri State.

If you would like further information about Tara Orr and Blake Haynes platform ideas, you can follow them on Instagram: @Innovatemostate, Facebook: Innovate MO State, and Twitter: @innovate_mo

Allison Garrett, Senior Class President

Lastly, Allison Garrett is running for 2020-21 Senior Class President of Missouri State University. She is a junior studying Political Science and Communications and currently serves as Speaker Pro Tempore on Student Government Association. Her previous leadership experience includes Chief Elections Commissioner on SGA, Vice President of Membership Development on the Panhellenic Executive Board, and various positions in her sorority. She also currently works in the Office of Student Affairs as a Student Assistant to Dr. Dee Siscoe. These experiences have instilled in her a love of university traditions and campus unity, which is what Allison wants to bring to the role of Senior Class President.

Her campaign theme is “What’s your Legacy?” The concept of a legacy is central in a student’s last year of undergrad, and Allison wanted to inspire that in the Class of 2021 during her campaign. You can connect with Allison on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @allison4mostate!

I hope all of this was informative for you. You can participate in the election by going to elections.missouristate.edu. Make your voice be heard and be a part of the change that is happening at Missouri State. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at Abdillahi1997@live.missouristate.edu!

SGA Title IX Commission Presents: Take Back the Night

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Did you know that male college students, ages 18-24, are 5x more likely to be affected by sexual violence than non-students in that same age range? Or that 9 in 10 college women who are victims of rape or sexual assault know their offender? Sexual violence is an ongoing issue on college campuses around the world, and it is time we take action. We ask you to join us to take back the night.

What is Take Back the Night Foundation? 

Take Back the Night (TBTN) is a foundation created in 1960 that is takes a stand against sexual violence by hosting events and peaceful rallies around the world. Take Back the Night Foundation’s mission is “…to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. We serve to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives.”

TBTN has hosted events in over 36 countries and 800 communities. Over 30 million people have been exposed to their message and commitment to end sexual violence. You can find more information on TBTN here. 

Missouri State’s Part 

From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, the Title IX Commission of the Student Government Association will be hosting a TBTN rally to involve students in the discussion. The goal is to address how we can be proactive in preventing sexual violence. This event is the kickoff for Stop the Silence, which will happen in Spring 2018.

Jenay Lamy, Missouri State Green Dot Program Coordinator, will be speaking on what Green Dot is and how students can become more involved. Another guest speaker, Emma Wessel, It’s On Us Coordinator and Missouri State GA, will be sharing what we can do to prevent sexual violence. 

More Information and Ways to Get Involved 

This event is open to all Missouri State students and students in the Springfield area. Missouri State Green Dot and It’s On Us are supporting this event and will have information tables at the rally for attendees to learn more about the organizations. 

Next Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. the Take Back the Night Foundation President will be speaking in the PSU Theater. This is a great event to learn more about TBTN and sexual violence prevention. Also, there are still some spots open for the FREE Green Dot Bystander Training on Oct. 10, 2017 at 4:00 p.m., you can register here.

 

Sources:

https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/182369.pdf

 

SGA Announces the Results of the Student Body Election and Wyrick Proposals

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After an official vote count, SGA would like to announce the results of the Spring 2014 elections. They are as follows:

Student Body President and Vice President: Jordan McGee/Addison Reed

Senior Class President: Cody Miller

The Wyrick Fund is generated through a $3 fee paid each semester by all full-time students along with $75,000 from the Office of the President. The current amount in the fund is $342,235.90. The following Wyrick proposals passed:

1) Campus Security Camera with a projected cost of 114,400

2) Construction of net around the Betty and Bobby Recreation Fields with a projected cost of $144,650

3) PSU Outdoor Tables with a projected cost of 82,483.50

4) Bear Line Shuttle Stop Bench with a projected cost of $2,264.90.

5) Key Card Reader at Betty and Bobby Recreation Fields with a projected cost of $25,520

Due to the limited funds of the Wyrick Fund, only the first three proposals will be funded.

Thank you to all the Missouri State students who voted in this election.

 

SGA Commissions Seeking Student Commissioners

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The Student Government Association’s Elections, Wyrick and Sustainability Commissions are currently seeking students to serve during the 2012-13 academic year.

The Elections Commission reviews the Elections Manual, secures a timeline for the following election and researches how to increase voter turnout. The Elections Commission also reviews petitions for candidacy, evaluates actions that potentially violate the Elections Manual and validates the election results.

Student members of the Wyrick Commission will assist in researching and approving or rejecting proposals for projects submitted directly by students, such as the Parking Counters in Bear Park South.

Similarly, students serving on the Sustainability Commission are charged with assisting in the development of sustainability initiatives. This includes distributing the Sustainability Fund for projects, previously including the bike rental program and hydration stations.

Student commissioners cannot currently serve in the Student Government Association or be the President or Vice President of any other student organization.

Those interested in joining any of the commissions are encouraged to email SGA@missouristate.edu/

For more information, please contact Riana Sears, Chief Communications Officer at Riana21@live.missouristate.edu.

SGA Supports Sustainability Proposal for Solar Panels

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Members of Student Government Association’s Senate moved recently to approve a resolution that supports the purchase and placement of solar panels on the rooftop of Meyer Library.

The project was taken to the Sustainability Commission as a proposal, but required SGA’s support since the $120,000 project would need to use more than 25 percent of the funds currently available to the Commission.

The solar panels placed atop Meyer Library will offset the nearly 32,000 kilowatts per year required to operate the lights within the JQH Fountain outside the library.

The addition of solar panels to MSU’s campus not only helps offset long-term energy costs, but also reaffirms the university’s commitment to ethical leadership and community engagement by promoting a cleaner and healthier environment on campus.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.