On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the Executive Cabinet spoke in chapel, announcing both their goals for this year and opportunities for students to get involved.
Student Body President Zachary Fazio started by sharing Asbury Student Congress’s (ASC) desire to pour back into campus. In the past, ASC has been involved in many initiatives and changes on campus, including purchasing new furniture for the outside of the STUCE and organizing the first ASC leadership conference. This year, ASC wants to continue this mission of cultivating an environment of academic excellence and spiritual vitality, while also improving the student experience.
In addition to proposals and initiatives for physical on-campus changes, ASC wants to encourage change through student involvement and providing opportunities for students to lead.
“A lot of you have wonderful ideas, but you don’t know where to share them, so I want to give you that space,” said Fazio.
Students can become involved in ASC in multiple ways. Students can talk with members of the Executive Cabinet or other representatives within ASC through email or in-person meetings, or they can get involved with committees within the Student Governance Association (SGA).
SGA gives students a voice in campus policies, services and initiatives. They work to represent student concerns, develop solutions through proposals and partner with faculty and administration to improve campus life. Students can become involved by contacting the Vice President of SGA, Ashton Montgomery, for concerns or questions they may have. For direct involvement in this branch there are other opportunities to join committees such as Food and Dining Services or Parking and Safety.
Student Intercultural Programs (SIP) hosts numerous events throughout the semester that students can be involved in. Their main goal is to educate the student body in matters of cultural engagement and foster the curiosity and willingness to respectfully learn about other cultures. Through going to these events, students have the opportunity to learn from their peers and represent their cultures.
Other branches like the Spiritual Life Board and Clubs and Congress Operations allow students to take more active roles in the student community. For the Spiritual Life Board, students are able to voice their spiritual concerns, as well as collaborate with members, in order to fulfill the goal of fostering an environment of spiritual vitality on campus. Additionally, the Vice President of Clubs and Congress Operations works with students to create their own clubs, allowing them to take on leadership roles.
For students currently in leadership positions or student leaders who are involved in public relations or communications, the Executive Publicist is another resource to help them with publicity. Students can advertise their clubs or events through both verbal and visual Chapel announcements, as well as through weekly Student Congress emails. Students can also get in touch with the Executive Publicist for poster, advertisement or graphic design help, which gives students the chance to learn from someone in a leadership position.
Through ASC’s many initiatives and leadership opportunities, students are given a plethora of options for involvement. Whether it is voicing your concern for issues like parking or starting your own club, ASC wants the student body to know that every student is represented within student government.
For more information, students can contact the Executive Cabinet by emailing them directly or by visiting their offices located in the STUCE basement.
Photo courtesy of Alanna May.
