SGA works to increase engagement and hear concerns from students

By Aenea Clark | Contributor

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Augusta University is seeing low student engagement, forcing the Student Government Association to search for solutions.

After a semester of virtual learning at the initial height of the coronavirus pandemic, AU’s SGA is looking for new, effective ways to welcome students back to campus.

“SGA is having a really hard time getting feedback and word from students about what it really is that they want,” said SGA Senator Mallory Dee.

SGA is planning on hosting events where students can voice their opinions about issues SGA should address.

“Last year, we had the SGA Tell Me Anything event where we had food and surveys for students to fill out and answer questions,” said Dee. “We got a lot of good data.”

SGA also hosted the Freshman Forum event, where they invited first-year students to talk about their experience on campus and how SGA could better serve them. SGA said the students enjoyed the event because their concerns were being heard, and they felt they were getting somewhere.

SGA plans to host a similar event on a larger scale for more students to voice their opinions. They plan to host the event at the amphitheater later this semester.

SGA is also working on policy changes to promote more student interaction and engagement.

SGA is pushing for a basketball court to be built at University Village residential hall.

“Building a basketball court, it would get used by the students much more than other facilities,” Dee said.

SGA is also working to make parking free for student assistants and employees.

“Our student employees already come here to work; most of them are federal work-study. Why should they have to pay for a parking pass?” said Dee.

SGA wants to improve transportation for students who use the JagExpress shuttle and make more parking spaces available on campus.

Additionally, SGA is the process of creating a policy that will mandate teachers to release their class syllabus at least one week before the start of class each semester. Students said that they are confused about class expectations and the class materials they need.

Students want more food choices, and SGA is working on getting more input from students about the food choices they want at the Atrium dining hall.

Augusta University has recently changed vendors and has switched to a buffet-style of dining for more options students can choose from.

“The school is signing contracts with food vendors without seeking the opinion of students, and that’s an issue because we have to pay to eat there,” said Dee.

Due to COVID-19, SGA members were refraining from meeting in person to conduct meetings. They have started back meeting in person and are looking for more students to join SGA to represent students at Augusta University.

SGA is working to implement its plans this semester and says students’ main concerns on campus are dining, parking, transportation, and housing.

“Our main goal is to make students feel that they are being heard and that they are important because they are,” said Dee. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

At top of page, members of AU student organizations gather outside the JSAC as part of efforts to get students involved. (photo by Aenea Clark)

Contact Aenea Clark at aeclark@augusta.edu.

This story is published in the Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 print edition of The Bell Ringer.