Hidden from the public eye, a group of Benedictine College students advocate for change on campus.
Many students are unaware that the Student Government Association, SGA, is dedicated to voicing their concerns to the college’s administration. Furthermore, many are unaware of the improvements on campus that SGA has initiated.
Maite Tierney, a former freshman senator, confirms that there is widespread ignorance among the student body. Tierney believes that SGA is more than just a group of students talking about change; it is a group of individuals who love Benedictine and are transforming campus.
Jeff Schremmer, a senior currently serving his second term as student body president, said SGA’s work by design is meant to be discreet and hidden. After splitting from CAB in 2014, SGA’s role has been to work behind the scenes and solve students’ problems, while CAB’s role is fostering engagement with the student body through events.
“SGA is more of a behind-the-scenes organization. So it is not surprising that students do not know much about what we do,” Schremmer said.
The core of what SGA does is dignifying the rights and voices of students through representation and advocacy. Without an organization such as this, Schremmer believes Benedictine’s administration would be unable to provide for the students as they genuinely desire to do.
“Administrative officials at the college are not living the student experience on a day-to-day basis, so if we don’t represent the student body to them, they are not going to know what needs to happen,” he said.
To better represent the student body, Schremmer called a constitutional convention last spring. In this convention, SGA reintroduced class presidents as well as expanded the student senate.
“We approved an expansion of the student senate from four representatives per class to five,” he said.
As enrollment goes up, more students are necessary to both represent and serve the student body.
Schremmer is confident that this year’s SGA is up to the task. Differing from past years, this SGA stands out as experienced and proactive.
“This year we have a very experienced SGA. A very competent SGA,” he said. “They have been very proactive already at the beginning of this year.”
Dasha Fagan, a sophomore senator and chairman of the dining services committee, confirms the competence of this year’s SGA. Furthermore, she believes they are fit to represent the student body due to the diversity of the senators as well as their extensive involvement on campus, including involvement in organizations such as CAB and ministry.
In order for SGA to make a difference this year, it is vital that students speak up. Schremmer encourages students to visit SGA’s office hours and to advocate for themselves. It is by voicing their concerns, about anything from dining services to study areas, that students will be able to see positive changes on campus.
