As midterms wrap up, the campus has been left with a lack of involvement from the student government association, despite claims from the organization that changes were on the way.
SGA is not a stranger to this issue. Over the years, events have been lacking on campus and even been canceled due to a lack of planning time or participation.
Many students have expressed over the years that they don’t know what SGA is, what they do or how to get involved.
According to Ferris State’s website, SGA’s mission statement is to “represent FSU students’ interests in all aspects of campus life.”
The mission statement further explains that SGA is meant to be a voice for the students.
Right now, students feel that their voices are silenced and, in some cases, shut down.
Pharmacy sophomore Ava Courtmen explained that SGA does not have a huge impact on her life.
“It doesn’t make much effect on me, but I’m sure they do a lot of things,” Courtmen said.
Courtmen explained she does not know anything about what they do, and she could not recall the last time they did anything to affect her directly.
Courtmen isn’t alone in this matter.
Amongst other students, this seems to be a common trend.
Business management sophomore Khalil McCoy echoed Courtmen’s sentiment, expressing a lack of knowledge regarding SGA.
“I didn’t even know we had a student government. Clearly, they’re not doing enough,” McCoy said.
Business junior Paris McGrigh expressed that during her time at Ferris, she has barely seen any activity from the association.
“I have been on campus for three years and I have never heard of them or seen them do anything,” McGrigh said. “If you have a friend in SGA or know someone who is a part of it, you may know about it, but other than that, you probably don’t.”
McGrigh further explained that SGA has never made an impact on her campus life, and she is very active on campus.
Despite students raising concerns over the years regarding the lack of air conditioning or heat in the dorms, SGA has not moved to advocate for issues such as these.
Students would like to see real changes being made on campus sooner rather than later.
Nursing major sophomore Jada Dillard expressed that she would like to see changes made on campus put into effect earlier, rather than extended into the future, in addition to her dissatisfaction and frustration associated with campus living conditions.
“I would say not having any heat in the dorms, specifically McNerney Hall [is a big issue],” Diller said. “We are living in an ancient building. The water is breaking my face out. It’s messed up and I would like something to be done as soon as possible.”
With the weather changing, the dorms could be a breeding ground for sickness, especially with flu season on the rise.
Students have expressed frustration that they are paying thousands to attend the university, yet nothing is being done.
At the forefront of this issue, students want change and the student government wants to provide that.
Students have curiosity and suggestions on how to get their voices out there.
For many students, this feels like an advertising issue and a simple lack of knowledge at hand.
“I think they should start advertising a little more and doing more events,” McGrigh said. “That would make an impact for sure.”
McGrigh explained that the protest against Charlie Kirk would have been a good event for the student government to be involved in.
Other students feel that simply reaching out could go a long way.
“They have to get to the students first. Once they get to us, then we can put something together,” Diller said.
SGA meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Founder’s Room in the DEC.