Learn about AU's SGA candidates for 2022-23
By Aenea Clark | Staff writer
Candidates representing various colleges at Augusta University were given the time to respond to issues students are facing at Augusta University in a candidate debate March 16.
The 2022-23 election for USGA officers and senators end Friday, April 1. Augusta University students were sent a ballot via email to vote.
Parking, transportation and campus dining seem to be the biggest concerns among students, and the undergraduate Student Government Association candidates are prioritizing these issues first.
Dee Mallory, a senior biochemistry major currently a Undergraduate SGA senator for the College of Science and Mathematics running for USGA president, has drafted a resolution called the Transportation Transparency Act. Mallory said this resolution contains a clause that guarantees 85% of the parking spaces to be made for students only.
“I believe that Augusta University has not done our students justice in providing adequate parking on all campuses,” said Mallory. “I am working diligently on getting this resolution in its final forms.”
Sweta Munagapati, a cellular and molecular biology major running for USGA vice president, is pushing for environmentally sustainable initiatives alongside improved transportation.
“Environmentally sustainable initiatives could include creating a bike shelter for students to safely store their bikes,” said Munagapati. “This could encourage students to use alternative modes of transportation that would alleviate the stress placed on parking lots and buses.”
Saniya Momin, a senior cellular and molecular biology major running for secretary, said she wants to create a stronger line of communication between students and SGA members. She plans to implement open bi-weekly senate meetings, so students are aware of what SGA is doing to improve their experiences.
“It is my responsibility to communicate consistently and effectively within the entities of SGA,” said Momin. “I want the student body to know everything SGA is doing and open up a new way to communicate with the students at Augusta University.”
Vikashprithvi Ayyappan, a cellular and molecular biology major, is running for comptroller. Ayyappan is also prioritizing the concerns of campus dining, transportation and parking. Ayyappan wants to expand dining options and improve the shuttle route.
“I know these are very complex topics for the university, but I see great potential in the next year to be able to succeed and come closer to this goal,” said Ayyappan.
Tulshi Patel, a sophomore cellular and molecular biology major running for senator for the College of Science and Mathematics, also plans to address the transportation issue.
“SGA is a platform that would allow me to help and serve Augusta University by helping solve problems and improve students' experience at Augusta University,” said Patel. “I would like to solve the problems faced by the students at AU and help Augusta University grow.”
Kritika Pokharel, a senior cellular and molecular biology major running for senator for the College of Science and Mathematics, said she gets multiple complaints from her peers and has been a victim of the transportation system herself. The shuttle routes between campuses have caused students to be late for their classes and have caused other inconveniences.
“I believe that the student body's voices have not been heard with this particular issue,” said Pokharel. “I would like to improve the parking and the transportation system, so it is less of an inconvenience for the student body.
Sonia Jose, a junior cellular and molecular biology major running for senator for the College of Science and Mathematics, also wants to improve the communication between students and SGA members.
“I would increase communication through surveys, face-to-face interaction sessions with the students, and tabling events, said Jose.
Afreen Salewala, a junior nursing major running for senator for the College of Nursing, wants to create an on-campus career day event where students can meet people in various career fields and to learn about how to succeed in their career field.
“I've always wanted to work in medicine, but I was not sure which path to take,” said Salewala. “Later in my sophomore year, a friend and I talked about nursing, and I became interested in the profession. Many undergraduate students, in my experience, are unaware of the wonderful programs in Augusta.”
Caleb Padgett, a junior political science major, currently a USGA senator for the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, says he wants to continue in his role servicing the student body.
Padgett wants Augusta University to look into adopting a Latin motto. His proposed motto is "Per Angusta, ad Augusta," which translates to "Through Difficulties to Honors."
Breonna Dean, a sophomore psychology major, running for senator for the College of Science and Mathematics wants to increase meal swipes from one to two per day in the Jaguar Student Activities Center food court and at SubConnection in Allgood Hall.
Dean wants to accomplish this by the end of her term. Dean said that students would also like to have better lights installed on the Summerville campus as safety becomes a concern because of the poor lighting at night.
“SGA is a way for students’ voices at AU to be heard,” said Dean. “Students bringing their problems to SGA makes them comfortable and the process towards change much easier.”
Sam Tallent, a senior middle grades education major running for senator for the College of Education wants to bring together education majors through events that encourage networking.
“We make up a great part of the student body but it always seems like we are always apart and never getting a chance to meet others in our college,” said Tallent. “This would be a great chance to build connections and create relations for when we graduate and go into the classroom.”
The 2022-23 election for USGA officers and senators end Friday, April 1. Augusta University students were sent a ballot via email to vote.
Contact Aenea Clark at aeclark@augusta.edu.
