In SGA: Changes in curriculum and new potential voter registration

During the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting this week, Virginia 21 Representative Morgan Rollins talked about the areas of discussion in the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). During the meeting with SCHEV, Rollins said that there were conversations on different problems that college campuses have.

SCHEV is a coordinating body for higher education where representatives from most universities in the state come together to discuss areas of concern they have in common, according to its website.

SCHEV’s goal is to make Virginia the most educated state in the country, with a plan for access and affordability for all university students in Virginia, according to its website. 

Rollins said that when meeting with SCHEV, they discussed changes in curriculum to align education with jobs, so students can have more job-based education.

Another issue Rollins talked about was how dual-enrollment credits often have problems being transferred to schools, resulting in students not being able to have credit for classes they’ve taken previously.

Rollins also talked about how the state of Virginia wants to make it easier for all public college students to register to vote on campus. The process would happen through online registration as students come in for their first year.

Rollins told SGA that new bills were being updated through the General Assembly. The bills mainly surround family education in middle school and high school, with topics such as teaching consent as mandatory curriculum.

During open forum, Senator Joseph Hyman talked about how there needs to be more speed limit enforcement on campus parking lots.

Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson responded by saying that confrontation is key in those situations.

Assistant Director of Leadership Development and Programs Laura Parker gave an overview on Martin Luther King Jr. Week and the events surrounding it.

President Kevin Napier also announced that Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is adding a new 10-month post-graduate position and looking to expand services in the future.

Executive Senator for Senate Relations Benjamin Brody presented the idea of connecting with Farmville Police Department and the Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) for students to be able to pay for parking tickets in canned goods.

During the advisor’s report, Pierson reminded SGA that the Lancer Card Center has moved to Coyner G10.

Jessica Akers was sworn in as the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences Representative.

The next SGA meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 3:45 p.m. in the Martinelli Board Room located in the Maugans Alumni Center.