The members of Milligan’s Student Government Association devote their time and energy each year to serve the student body to the best of their ability. They have goals they want to accomplish every year. Some are met, some aren’t. With only a few weeks until the end of the semester, Milligan Stampede reporter Evan Hayes sat down with SGA President Ashley Roberts to discuss how the year has gone so far from the perspective of SGA.
What have been the highlights of the semester that SGA has put together? Why do you think they did so well?
We’ve hosted some fun student events, the most exciting being our foam party during Welcome Week and our week of homecoming events. Apple Fest, which was a collaboration with the institution and the official inauguration event, drew a huge crowd and was a fun opportunity for students to connect with the President.
Deeper Connections: Election drew a big crowd and was an informative and electric night discussing the presidential election. We’ve hosted van rides up the hill and managed to get a coffee truck to come to campus, hopefully weekly next semester.
Some smaller things we’ve done include helping get a Greek yogurt bar in the cafeteria, working on connecting the board of advisers to students at homecoming and sending student representatives to inauguration events. The most exciting things have been instances that have answered a student’s need or connected students, faculty and staff.
What were some of SGA’s goals before the year started?
Our goals this year were to better connect the administration and student body, to offer opportunities to unite, and to have a project-based rather than events-based year. We’ve done this through intentional work by our executive cabinet and a focus on improving our committee structure.
Which ones have you met, failed, or haven’t got to yet? If any, why do you think they haven’t worked out yet?
I believe we’ve done a great job furthering the relationship between administration and students, especially in our relationship with new President Stephen Waers. We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes connecting various cabinet members, advising boards, and people over areas of student interest—food, academics, student life, and more—to student faces, stories and needs.
We’ve still fallen into the problem of more events than projects. We’re working on correcting that for next semester and aiming to get some projects off the ground. Our committees have been strong this year, which has greatly helped us in efficiency and getting the plans needed for new ideas and solving student needs.
What do you aim to achieve in the second semester?
We hope, as has been the tradition in the years I’ve been here, to host a great spring formal. Plans for that are already in the works. Along with that, we have a couple of big projects that special committees are working on getting off the ground. We have partnerships with other clubs and organizations around campus that are hosting a few events.
You’re a senior this year. What is a lasting legacy you want to leave with SGA or the university as a whole before you graduate?
I have aimed this year to empower, rather than micromanage. I want those in the Senate to be able to fulfill ideas they think serve the student body best. I hope that culture continues in our SGA.
SGA news and updates can be found on its Instagram page @milligansga.
text and pictures by Evan Hayes