The Student Government team is starting the fall semester with new ideas and a desire to increase student involvement.
Student Government has been part of the university since 1922, undergoing various changes in leadership and location but always giving a voice to the student body.
Just like the United States and the Texas capitals, Student Government functions through three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.
Andres Morales, business management and operational and supply chain management junior, is the Student Body president. Morales oversees all branches of the Student Government.
Andres Morales, the new Student Body president and a business management and operational and supply chain management junior, said he oversees all branches. He said there are five main goals this term, the “No Maverick Goes Hungry” initiative, well-being and mental health, transparency and communication, campus pride and tradition, and affordability.
Morales said he created No Maverick Goes Hungry because he went through food insecurity at an early age. He said he would go days without eating, having to get food from his church.
“I don’t want any student here on campus to go hungry,” he said.
Morales said the city will help donate nonperishable goods to the Maverick Pantry for a food drive. The executive branch will also collaborate with the city in the 9/11 Steps of Valor event with Kappa Sigma.
Morales said being the new president does not give him unwanted pressure. As former vice president, he is familiar with the responsibilities of the position.
“’I am not worried about failing or letting students down because I know my team is there for me,” Morales said.
Political science junior Aniyah Coston is the Student Body vice president. Coston oversees membership and training.
Aniyah Coston, Student Body vice president and political science junior, said she oversees membership, training and various programs, including the Maverick Discounts Program and the Night Walk initiative.
Coston said she hopes to bring back what was formerly known as the College of Councils, a roundtable with college ambassadors. This would allow the Student Government to stay aware of possible resolution ideas.
“Our colleges let us know how we can best continue and thrive academically and stay competitive as a school,” Coston said.
She said a way of creating a campus-wide culture is increasing athletic attendance. The organization has discussed marketing ideas to bring out more students.
“We are definitely trying to support our campus partners in creating a campus-wide experience,” Coston said.
Political science and philosophy junior Trevor McCullough is the chief of staff. The chief of staff is the functional head of the executive branch.
Trevor McCullough, chief of staff and political science and philosophy junior, said he controls the external relations committee, which hosts events for greater campus culture, and the governmental relations committee, which advocates for the university at the local, state and federal levels.
McCullough said his priority this term is to have Student Government give people a reason to love UTA. He said he wants to incentivize people to go to games and other major events.
McCullough said he also wants Student Government to be more certain about what is done internally, increasing innovation and legitimacy.
“I want us to not only be a present force on campus but to be the first step that people go to when they have problems on campus,” he said.
McCullough said he encourages students to ask questions, share ideas and join the organization.
“I hope to be that gateway, not a gatekeeper,” he said.
Biology premedical junior Emman Khan is the speaker of the Senate. Khan oversees the Student Senate and committees.
Emman Khan, speaker of the Senate and biology premedical junior, said she oversees the legislative branch, which includes the Student Senate, the resolution process, the parliamentarian and committee chairs.
As a former committee chair, Khan said she got to work closely with the last speaker, helping her transition into the role.
Khan said she wants everyone to join the Senate. She said there is a misconception that Student Government is only for students who want to work in law or politics, but that it is for anyone, regardless of major.
“’We’re not prelaw government, or we’re not political science government,” Khan said. “We represent everyone, and we have a spot for everyone here on campus.”
Psychology senior Alexandria Mitchell is the Student Body chief justice. Mitchell oversees Student Government’s constitution, election code and funding.
Alexandria Mitchell, chief justice and psychology senior, said she handles everything internal in the Student Government: the constitution, the election code, elections and funding.
Mitchell said she hopes more students join the Registered Student Organization program, which gives funding to organizations for events, travel, maintenance or other needs.
Like the other leaders in Student Government, Mitchell said she encourages students to join and to vote in campus elections. She said that due to the University Center construction, new polling sites will be chosen for future elections.
“We might seem intimidating, but we’re all very welcoming, and we all are family,” Mitchell said. “If you want to get involved in any way, Student Government welcomes you.”
Political science junior Kate Clopton is the press secretary. The press secretary is responsible for running the organization’s social media.
Kate Clopton, press secretary and political science junior, said she is entering the role to step up Student Government’s social media. Her job also includes making a newsletter, creating post ideas and working with other student organizations.
Clopton said the newsletter is new, and its goal is to show what Student Government is up to and increase connection with students.
She said she hopes to build more partnerships with groups on campus to enlarge Student Government’s audience and share its message.
As a former justice, Clopton said the connections she developed during that time will help in her new role.
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