University & Civic Advancement Archives - Student Government Association Blog

SGA Day at the Capitol Recap

February 17, 2025 by Callie S. Baker

Hello, my name is Robert-Thomas Gumersell, and I am the Director of University Affairs for SGA. On February 5th, I joined about 36 student leaders from Missouri State to attend our annual Day at The Capitol event. In addition to attending the event, I also helped plan the events of the day and carried out these plans alongside Executive Vice President Zora Mulligan and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Siscoe.

We hit the ground running from start to finish, doing things ranging from being recognized by both the State House and Senate, to meeting several legislators, to receiving a free lunch, and finally, touring the state capitol. We also had the opportunity to speak to and hear from several Missouri State alumni, as well as former United States Senator Roy Blunt.

Overall, the event was a huge success and was filled with memorable moments. To anyone who has never attended this event before, I highly recommend that you do so next February. You can attend the event even if you’re not in the S.G.A., just as long as you sign up on time.

2025 Elections Season Information

January 21, 2025 by Callie S. Baker

The 2025 Student Body Election season is officially underway! Here’s everything you need to know to stay informed this semester.

Each spring, we elect a new Student Body President and Vice President, who also serve as the President and Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA). Additionally, we elect a Senior Class President, a key role in engaging and supporting the senior class throughout their final year at Missouri State University. Each ticket also includes a campaign manager to support their campaign process.

Candidates for these positions will begin their campaigns soon, so keep an eye out for their announcements. To appear on the ballot, those running for Student Body President and Vice President must collect 500 signatures from MSU students. Senior Class President candidates must gather 200 signatures. You may be approached to sign a candidate’s petition—this simply allows their ticket to appear on the ballot for the election.

Once the candidates qualify, campaigning will begin. There will be many opportunities to hear the candidates’ platforms and decide who you believe will best serve Missouri State. Candidates will launch their social media accounts, and a debate will take place on March 11th at 7:00 PM in Plaster Student Union Room 313. “Blitz Week,” starting on March 28th, will provide a dedicated time for candidates to actively promote their tickets across campus. During this week, they can engage with students, hang banners, chalk sidewalks, and more.

Voting will take place from April 7th at 8:00 AM to April 11th at 5:00 PM via My.MissouriState.com. Along with casting your vote for candidates, you’ll also have the chance to approve updates to the SGA Constitution—the governing document for the organization. The ballot will also include Wyrick Proposals, which are construction projects aimed at improving our campus.

Election results and the outcomes of the proposals will be announced on the evening of April 11th.

Make your voice heard this election season and help shape the future of Missouri State University!

SGA Supports the B.E.A.R Fee to appear on the Homecoming Ballot

September 24, 2013 by Addison Reed

Senate has recently passed a resolution supporting the B.E.A.R. Fee to be placed on the Fall 2013 Homecoming ballot for all students to vote on.

If the fee passes

If the B.E.A.R Fee (Bear Experience And Recreation Fee) passes, students will be charged $50/semester that would go towards building and renovating 4 recreational facilities on campus. Three brand new facilities would be built including a Sand Volleyball Court, Field Hockey Field, and Soccer/Track Field. Renovations of Plaster Sports Complex would replace the current student section on the east side of the field. An additional fund of $200,000 would go towards a Student Experience Fund that would help make the game day experience more enjoyable.

If the fee doesn’t pass

If the B.E.A.R Fee does not pass, a few things will still happen. The Field Hockey Field will be constructed no matter what because our team is at a disadvantage for home games because of the inadequate turf. The student section of Plaster Sports Complex would be torn down as it has been deemed unsafe and all fans will sit on the West side. The track will still be constructed regardless so that the Women’s Track team will remain in compliance with Title IX.

Details about the fee

The date of completion is set for Fall 2014 and all students will not pay into the fee until all facilities are completed. The time and quality of this project is determined by money raised privately and from the B.E.A.R. Fee. If the fee does not pass, the quality will be different than if it did pass.

Renderings

For any further information about the B.E.A.R. Fee, please contact Addison Reed, Chief Communications Officer, at Addison303@live.missouristate.edu.

SGA Calls for Civility Pieces from Students

January 30, 2012 by Paige Oxendine

Missouri State’s Student Government Association has called for the submission of student pieces inspired by the Be Civil Be Heard campaign. Students may submit editorials of no more than 600 words or cartoons regarding experiences with or thoughts on civility.

Students responsible for submissions chosen will receive a gift card to the MSU Bookstore in addition to having their work published in The Standard.

All interested students are encouraged to submit their material to sga@missouristate.edu by February 7, 2012.

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

SGA Makes Recommendations for Student Seating in JQH

December 1, 2011 by Paige Oxendine

Missouri State’s Student Government Association has moved to propose changes to the current student seating policy in JQH Arena. After reviewing the existing policy, SGA’s University Advancement Committee has compiled a list of recommendations, which they hope will be adopted in order to make the policy more effective.

Student Government Association’s first recommendation is that all seating be “General Admission” rather than reserved. This change would mean that rather than student tickets having a specific seat assigned to them, students would be free to sit in any seat in the student section.

Another recommendation addresses ticket distribution, suggesting that student tickets for every regular season basketball game be released two hours prior to game time on a first come-first served basis.

Maroon Madness would still have a portion of seats reserved for their members, but would be asked to return any unused tickets 30 minutes prior to tip-off in order to allow other students to claim them. After tip-off, seating designated for Maroon Madness would become open to all students.

Student organizations wishing to reserve a block of seats may designate one member to pick up tickets two hours before game time and will be required to provide a list of signatures for all students receiving a ticket. This number may not exceed the total number of members within the organization. An organization may lose the privilege to reserve tickets if tickets are found to be unused or sold.
During high profile games no student organization will be allowed to reserve blocks of seating.

Please note: the information contained above is not an exhaustive list of the recommendations made by Student Government Association. To view the document in it’s entirety, please visit: sga.missouristate.edu, navigate to the “Documents” tab, and locate the document titled “Student Seating Policy Recommendation” under the “Resolutions” tab.

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