SGA Update

Roda Mohamed, Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA) said that although the school year has just resumed — things have been hectic in the office.

Mohamed was elected alongside Student Body President Joe Sarci in April of 2019. She is strategically planning with her colleagues to take “their leadership to the next level.” 

She mentioned that they are in the works talking with security to provide access for students to appeal parking tickets. 

“He wants what’s best for the student body,’’ said Mohamed of Director of Safety and Security, John Blaisdell. She said that when the SGA decided to meet with him. he was very enthusiastic to help out in any way he can. 

As for how much of a role students play within the SGA, Mohamed stated, “It’s 50/50. As a leader, you’re expected to be the face, if not the one, who is approaching the movement and leading it forward. But a lot of that energy and drive really comes from the body.”

Mohamed also said that she received overwhelming positive feedback on the SGA initiative to provide female sanitary products in Marist academic building bathrooms. Today, nearly all on-campus public female restrooms have access to free sanitary items from a dispenser machine.

 In terms of looking ahead towards the transition to next year’s executive board, Mohamed mentioned that the SGA usually begins with a clean slate year after year. This means that many precedents or policies from the previous administration may be left behind, some with or without intent. In order to sustain ideas and policies through generations of SGA student boards, the current administration decided to keep a binder of everything they’ve done during their term. It includes all the projects they worked on, even the ones that are incomplete, so the next administration knows what to expect and what were the biggest objectives on their calendar. 

Mohamed stated that diversity played a key part in bringing everyone on the team together. “Promoting diversity within the SGA has been a method we utilized to promote our different projects,” she said. 

The Vice President encourages all students to get involved with SGA because they have the opportunity to make a difference, especially the lower classmen.

 “They have the time, and they will learn a lot,” said Mohamed. 

SGA mentions that they have at least one or two lower classmen on their board, which is unlike the previous administration. With underclassmen on the board, it balances out the agenda between Marist students of different class memberships.

SGA elections for the upcoming school year are beginning preliminary measures this month. Students interested in joining the upcoming administration can contact the Election Commission at maristsgaelections@gmail.com with any questions.