Here’s what happened at the Student Government Association’s formal senate meeting on Feb. 15, 2023:

Executive Report

SGA’s election manager, Neda Rasul, announced that the SGA election season has begun. 

To run for a position, students must attend an information session. The remaining info sessions will take place on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. and March 2 at 11 a.m. in the Lucas Room in the Main Building and on March 3 at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom. The link will be shared on SGA’s social media.

Special Guests

The Academic Excellence and Distinction goal team, Diversity Excellence Inclusion and Justice goal team and Vibrant and Inclusive Campus goal team joined the senate as part of an ongoing conversation about Strategic Plan 2027. The Academic Excellence and Distinction conversation was presented by senator Nic Chuecas.

There are goals the university is working to achieve through research, creative work and the development of knowledge, skills and opportunities to connect to the world by:

– Establishing Health Science programs;

– Intersecting Academic Clusters;

– Increasing efforts towards online programs; 

– Furthering support for faculty and student scholarship.

The Diversity Excellence Inclusion and Justice conversation was presented by Joe DeMedeiros, vice president of university advancement.

This team has three projects for their first year:

1. A compensation and benefits study for faculty and staff to increase equitable compensation for all employees;
2. Improvement on shared governance by creating stronger structures, communication and relationships with St. Edward’s and Austin community;
3.  Addressing student equity gaps in a multi-step approach to meet the needs of students.

“Each project has measurable outcomes and we will continue to monitor, so we can have some accountability,” DeMedeiros said.

The Vibrant and Inclusive Campus conversation was presented by Zach Benoit and Lisa Kirkpatrick, vice president of student affairs and Title IX coordinator. 

The presentation:

– Announced a finalized master plan refresh that includes affordable employee housing and increased mobility accessibility;

– Emphasized advancements in SEU athletics over the course of a five-year plan;

– Reviewed a housing occupancy report that projects an increase in occupants from 1,278 to 1,617 by 2026.

Financials

– A funding request for a Pre-Dental Society Outreach Event (approved).

– A funding request by F.A.C.T. for a Forensic Science Symposium (approved).

The meeting concluded with a final roll call.