By Katrina Kowitz, Staff Writer
Senior Alondra Valle is in her second year as president of Newman’s Student Government Association and said that she has a list of things she wants to accomplish during her final year in office.
She and the 20 members of SGA have already gotten started on some of them during their weekly meetings, she said.
The biggest bill she has been working on is one that would pay for new furniture for the Student Life office in Dugan Library. Part of the plan would be to upgrade the couch and TV area and add a table and chairs where Jet Friday happens.
“The furniture is outdated and pretty old...,” Valle said. “I think it will be pretty expensive, but it will look great.”
SGA also wants to get a pool table for Newman students and put it either in the library or in a dorm hall. But Valle said she would have to ask a club to co-sponsor and help pay for it.
Most of the bills that were passed last year were on the smaller side, Valle said.
Among the events last year that were a big success were a bubble soccer game against Friends University, which happened on the Friends campus and had a strong turnout.
“Last year, it was a big year of setting expectations and following the constitution,” Valle said.
SGA gets $30,000 a year from student fees. The more students that attend Newman, the more money SGA gets to sponsor activities and finance initiatives around campus. SGA didn’t spend all its money last year, and this year, it got $30,000 more.
SGA also pays for students to have a membership to Genesis Health Club and access to U Will, a mental health and wellness support group. Valle said that some students have suggested Newman should switch its membership to the YMCA, but it's not just students who use Genesis: The tennis team uses its courts for practice and games as well.
Valle also said she was happy that so many students ran for SGA positions this year, something that hasn’t happened in the past several years. Nine ran in the spring. In the fall, 11 spots were open, and 17 candidates ran. That level of competition hasn’t happened in a long time.
“I’m excited that there are more students involved this year and more minds coming together,” Valle said.
If students are wanting to bring concerns or ideas anonymously to SGA, there is a SGA student suggestion box by the Student Life Office. Students also are free to attend SGA meetings, which happen only at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the Alumni Center. Valle said she plans to look at the suggestion box often.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Unsplash
