In this week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, Cheryl Steele, assistant director of student engagement, Jonathan Page, director for citizen leadership and social justice education and Onie McKenzie, assistant vice president for student affairs for assessment & professional development, held a facilitated group discussion regarding diversity and discrimination on campus.
Steele, Page and McKenzie introduced survey questions and an interactive quiz for the senators to take. Once completed, the three compared the results with those from the same survey conducted in 2011. They concluded that overall more people now consider students and faculty to reflect less diversity then they felt they should, and in comparison, answers in 2011 were slightly more positive.
The goal of the survey was to give the SGA an understanding of how one perceives culture and an understanding of diversity, according to Steele, Page and McKenzie.
The SGA broke into small groups during the discussion to talk with their fellow senators about their perspectives over diversity on campus as well.
Steele, Page and McKenzie encouraged the SGA to voice their opinions regarding discrimination and inequality they have experienced from students and faculty along with respecting others' inputs from the questions asked.
The SGA reflected on experiences and observations regarding racism, sexual discrimination and inequality throughout campus.
Some senators pointed out possible racism in the student body along with favoritism from professors based on sex/gender and race that they have observed.
Steele, Page and McKenzie discussed with the SGA where such could originate from, such as family, religion and education.
Page pointed out how individuals need to have a good grasp on cultural understanding in order to gain cultural sensitivity towards marginalized groups. Page acknowledged societal norms placed on others, and stated that one would need to avoid microaggressions towards the underprivileged groups.
Steele, Page and McKenzie intend to meet with other student organizations on campus, such as Peer Mentors, to have a follow-up discussion on the topic.
Andy Wang represented the Sport and Leisure Industry Management (SLIM) organization to talk exclusively about the organization’s new constitution and what the organization is about. Wang elaborated that SLIM is beneficial for those who are majoring in Business and Economics and who also aspire to be surrounded in a sports environment.
Wang stated that SLIM aspired to gain membership and approving their constitution would do so.
The SGA approved the constitution for SLIM.
There were no allocations approved since there was no Student Finance Committee (SFC) meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13.
The next SGA meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in the Martinelli Board Room in Maugans Alumni Center at 3:45 p.m.
