In the first Student Government Association (SGA) meeting of the 2018-2019 school year on Aug. 28, the SGA discussed mental health issues at Longwood University with Dean of Students Larry Robertson.
Robertson discussed the student support resources, particularly pertaining to mental health and vulnerable students, that the university has expanded.
Laura Parker, assistant director of Leadership Development and Programs in the Office of Citizen Leadership and Social Justice Education (CLSJE), presented several new leadership opportunities on campus available to students. A new leadership program called the Citizen Leadership Institute will start Tuesday, Sept. 4. The program is open to all Longwood students.
Additionally, CLSJE is forming two new student committees, one for Martin Luther King Jr. day and one for a women’s leadership conference in the spring.
After Robertson and Parker spoke, new senators were sworn into the SGA.
During open forum, Senator Cecil Hayes raised the issue of packages not arriving to Lancer Park in a timely manner and delays in email. Senator Catherine Swinsky made a point of clarification that Residential and Commuter Life rules had processes that extended the time it took for students to receive their mail.
According to Swinsky, when students receive notice from Amazon or other shipping company that their package has been delivered it has only gotten to Farmville, not necessarily to Longwood's mail office or the specific apartment community. Packages going to Lancer Park first go to the Farmville Post Office, then the Longwood Post Office and then to the Lancer Park front desk before students are notified and the package is ready for pickup.
It was suggested by Senator Hannah Prem that packages could have notes attached explaining the process of receiving mail to explain delays to students.
Senator Joseph Hyman noted issues with campus dining, limited options and long lines at D-Hall. Hyman explained that until Upchurch University Center opens, the dining hall is almost the only option for on campus-dining and because of this, lines become particularly long during lunch.
The new container program was discussed as a factor for increasing the lines. Advocating for another register to be open during peak hours was also discussed.
After open forum, Dr. Tim Pierson, vice president of Student Affairs announced Ken Copeland, vice president of Administration and Finance, is leaving Longwood University in October. Additionally, Pierson said the G.A.M.E. set a NCAA record for a regular season field hockey game’s attendance. According to a tweet by the NCAA, 2,073 people attended the G.A.M.E.
Dean of Student Engagement Cheryl Steele announced student services are scheduled to start moving to Upchurch University Center.
President Josh Darst also announced that freshmen SGA elections are underway.
The next SGA meeting will be on Sept. 4 at 3:50 p.m. in the Maugans Alumni Center in the Martinelli Board Room.
Senator Cecil Hayes brought up how students were not receiving packages in a timely manner in Lancer Park.
Dean of Students Larry Robertson discussed mental health with the SGA and explained the student support resources Longwood offers heading into the new year.
