New SGA President and VP will focus on Engaging Campus and Tackling Sexual Assault
On May 21, Tenzin Tsundu ‘22 and Caleb Davis ‘24 were sworn in as Student Body President and Vice President, taking over for the outgoing Mohamed-Hill administration. After taking the oath of office from former Chief Justice Jordan Mogel in the Nelly Golleti Theater, the pair officially stepped into their new roles.
In a speech following the swearing-in ceremony, Tsundu said he was “immensely honored and immensely grateful” to be taking on this position. The new President did not waste any time tackling the big issues, immediately addressing concerns related to Title IX and sexual assault that have surrounded the campus all year. “It breaks my heart that women and women of color on this campus do not feel safe. I realize they are not scared of someone from outside campus but rather from our own students. Therefore we must introduce a culture of excellence, where we listen, we act and we advocate.”
Tsundu also spoke to his desire to improve the connection with the student body.
“It was immensely challenging to reach out to the student body this year because of the pandemic. Now, as we are coming out of the grips of the pandemic, there are more opportunities. We need to integrate different groups of people on campus. And I say different groups because it includes first-year students who have been robbed of their memories because of the pandemic. Residential and non-residential students, students of color and other groups so we can actively fulfill Marist’s value of a sense of community.” Tsundu ended his speech quoting his own campaign slogan, “The best is yet to come.”
Vice President Davis followed his counterpart by giving a speech ripe with enthusiasm for the opportunity in front of their administration. “Now begins a new strain of opportunity and rebirth for the SGA and the student body of Marist College.” Davis laid out the administration’s mission: “to lead the student body forward and to rebirth student life, student culture, student clubs and add to the history and legacy of this university all while creating a lasting culture of excellence in our student government.”
In an interview with The Circle after the event, Tsundu said the administration’s first task would be to expand their presence. “We want to tell the student body we are here, we are here to listen, we are here to act and we are here to advocate for their and our own problems,” said Tsundu. Both Tsundu and Davis continued to put Title IX and sexual assault concerns at the front of their agenda, saying “it’s something we can stop.”
Tsundu ended the interview by sharing a piece of advice given to him by former President Roda Mohamed, “look at what you can do first before you go ask for help.” With a new administration now in place and ready to take charge, Marist students can be hopeful that the best is truly yet to come.
From left to right; Chief Justice Cezar Ungureanu '22, Vice President Caleb Davis '24, Former Vice President Roselyn Hill '21, Former President Roda Mohamed '21, and President Tenzin Tsundu '22. Source: Sam Murphy ‘24