SGA Executive President and junior Kyle Porro stood by his desk looking exhausted. Sitting through an hourlong verbal exchange regarding the topic of inclusivity during a meeting a couple weeks ago, it became apparent to him that SGA was disconnected from the student body.
With only a few weeks of his term tucked under his belt, Porro now knows he and his office must increase engagement between the Elon University student body and SGA.
The task won’t be easy.
“That is the million-dollar question [about how to get more students connected with SGA], and that is not easy to answer,” Porro said. “We just have to keep reaching out and make sure that we are representing the students.”
Porro, who has held positions with SGA the past, said the organization has been trying for years to increase its engagement with students, but the results have been disappointing. Freshman Anthony Upchurch says he has never heard of SGA, which also proves more recognition is needed.
“As a student, I don’t really know too much about [SGA], and no one really talks about it,” Upchurch said.
The weekly meetings, which are open to the public, are scarcely attended. When people other than senators, who are required to be there, actually attend, they are normally groups asking for SGA’s support either verbally or financially. With crucial legislation being discussed within the Senate chambers, Porro said the most important subject next fall will be revamping SGA’s approach toward students.
SGA will hold town hall style meetings the first Thursday of every month to improve relations and get more people involved in the political process. These gatherings, guided by an invited speaker or professor, will fuel discussions about a plethora of topics, including inclusivity.
Porro envisions a town hall format sparking greater interest in SGA and allowing more perspectives to be heard.
“We’re going to try to push that to the rest of the school, saying that they’re welcome to come, and our hope is that this will become an involved community and get people who normally wouldn’t come to SGA meetings,” Porro said.
Porro also wants SGA itself to be more active in the community. The hourlong debate during the April 21 meeting was ignited because Arts and Sciences Senator and junior Chris Tarpley was the only SGA member who attended a racial education event. Porro said he hopes more SGA members will make stronger efforts to have a presence at cultural events.
SGA faculty adviser Jana Lynn Patterson said a closer-knit relationship with students is part of a much-needed change.
“When I go to these [cultural] events, I see all the same people,” Patterson said. “I think for [SGA], they need to step out of their bubble. They need to listen to people that make them feel uncomfortable. That’s where I’m going to push them heading into the summer planning.”
Another aspect of SGA being more impactful on campus is increasing the press it receives. Steven Armendariz, rising senior class vice president, said he believes SGA has a great relationship only with students who understand what SGA does for the school.
To make its presence known, SGA recently passed a legislation stating that whenever it gives money to an organization, club or individual for an event or otherwise, they must endorse SGA’s trademark. The newest example of this is located on many of SUB’s posters for the MisterWives concert.
“This is one of the ways we’re trying to get more press,” Armendariz said. “That way, students can know more about SGA and how involved we are with the student body.”
While Armendariz is supportive and agrees with SGA’s goals, he wishes the student body would exhibit the same type of enthusiasm. He hopes students will take it upon themselves to be more engaged with SGA.
“It’s a mutual relationship and I think both parts have to come into play,” Armendariz said. “I think SGA is putting in as much effort as we possibly can, but it’s also on the student body to come to our events in order for us to learn more about them. We can’t learn about anything if no one shows up. We really want a holistic opinion about how the student body feels.”