Connect and collaborate

Student Government Association alters to improve student representation

Liberty’s Student Government Association (SGA) has made a few visible changes that will include implementing a new idea called huddles. Huddles will consist of the house of delegates and the senate meeting twice a semester at a joint session.

“We want to make (meetings) more discussion based,” Student Body Vice President Jack Heaphy said. “To call it a huddle, it is more like an event.”

According to Heaphy, there will no longer be hall senators that represent each hall because hall meetings now only take place four times a semester. Now, the house of delegates will be comprised of class vice presidents and delegates, which are students who fill out an application online, have 18 points or less on their conduct record and are in good academic standing.

Currently, there are approximately 100 delegates. Heaphy explained SGA would like to have at least 200. Christian Service (CSER) hours are available to those who serve as delegates.

“Our theme this year is Connect and Collaborate,” Heaphy said. “We want to connect with students and collaborate with delegates.”

The SGA senate is comprised of class presidents and two students from each school — such as the school of communication or the Helms School of Government — called senators.

Every dean nominates two students from their respective school. Most school representatives have already been chosen for this year. CSER is also available for members of the senate.

“(Each school brings) unique perspectives, (and) that’s why we have school representatives,” Heaphy said. “Our hope is that each will contribute something. That way we can have people from all backgrounds be able to contribute. … They will all meet together but bring different ideas.”

Additionally, Heaphy explained that this new system is an improvement over what it had been in the past. Delegates enable students who desire involvement an outlet to make a difference through SGA.

The new senate representatives allow every student on campus to be represented in SGA.

“The goal of SGA is to serve as a bridge between students and administration, so when we have these meetings, the purpose of (them) is to represent all students,” Heaphy said. “That is why we have people (now) who would traditionally not want to get involved.”

Heaphy said committees begin the process of approving a bill. Bills originate from committees, and then the committees present their bill to the house of delegates or the senate (whichever body the committee is from). If the bill passes one body, it is presented to the other body. If it passes in both bodies, it goes to the student body president’s desk for veto or approval. If it is approved, it then goes to Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Mark Hine. If Hine approves it, it then goes to President Jerry Falwell for final approval.

“SGA is really here to serve students,” Heaphy said. “Administration really does look to SGA as their point of contact for students. … If you want to make your voice heard, you should join SGA as a delegate or talk to your representatives so we can turn your thoughts into our actions.”

FROST is a news reporter.