by Joy Esiemokhai
Diversity, safer and healthier campuses, and increased student participation. These were just some of the issues tackled when the 31 student government association presidents of every university in the University System of Georgia gathered at the University of West Georgia for the 2014 Student Advisory Council Winter Conference. The event was themed “Go West in Winter; the Changing Leadership.”
The discussions, which took place over two days, saw the SGA presidents plan programs for the rest of the fall semester and the coming semester, as well as share ideas on how to increase student involvement in their various schools. Several members of the USG Board of Regents and the UWG administrative staff attended the events on the first day to give presentations, participate in question-and-answer sessions and panels, and listen to the ideas and opinions of the attendees, as well as share some plans and initiatives USG is and will tackle.
Day two of the conference saw the presidents meet in mixed groups to deliberate on issues students face on their campuses as well as brag about initiatives that have been successfully introduced. Issues ranged from faculty/staff-student relations to young alumni support. One of the most important topics discussed was the issue of sexual assaults on USG campuses and how to increase awareness and prevention. Title IX mandates that every school receiving federal funds, which includes system-wide USG institutions, must take steps to prevent and respond to sexual assault, harassment and discrimination on its campuses. The “It’s On Us” campaign launched by President Barack Obama in September 2014 is arguably the biggest crusade against sexual violence on college campuses.
Another issue tackled was the system-wide implementation of tobacco and smoke-free campuses on every USG institution. The policy, passed in March 2014 and effective from October 1, 2014, has been met with reluctance by many tobacco users on their campuses, according to a few of the attendees who also highlighted the difficulty they face in educating about the dangers of the habit and the health benefits of the tobacco and smoking ban on their campuses.
At the end of their discussions, each mixed team of presidents gave presentations to two USG advisors on a panel about mutual successes and problems on their campuses and pitch questions and requests to the moderators. It was a fitting end to two days of idea sharing and exchange.
Do you have a comment or opinion about this story's topic? Perspective Online wants to hear from you. Submit a letter to the editor at perspect@westga.edu today.
