The Student Government Association recently selected 50 student representatives for this year’s First Year Council. Selected students will be working alongside elected SGA representatives through the coming months.
“I could not be more thrilled with the group of 50 first year councilors for this year.” Mackenzie Perpich, the director of FYC, said in an emailed statement. “I believe they are going to achieve a tremendous amount this year with the positions they all have earned!”
Created to promote fair representation of the freshman class in student government, the council is responsible for drafting and executing projects on campus designed to have a impact on the UA community. FYC came under fire last year after irregularities in the application scoring process were discovered. The markings on applications led to a selection of less qualified candidates than those freshmen who were selected later upon further review.
Amid accusations of applicant GPAs being modified to ensure certain students were selected over others, the former director of FYC and last year’s SGA president Grant Cochran resigned from their positions.
Matt Calderone, SGA president, said this year’s selection process was controversy-free.
“I think the application and selection process were both very fair,” Calderone said. “I am very enthusiastic about working with such a bright group of freshmen.”
In previous years, members of FYC have organized football tailgates, developed programs to encourage greater student use of the UA Recreation Center, and worked alongside University grounds crew members through campus beautification initiatives.
MacKenzie Hamilton, a junior who participated in FYC his freshman year, said the Council was an excellent way for him to get involved.
“First Year Council was a great opportunity as a freshman to become involved in something on campus beyond attending classes or going to sporting events,” Hamilton said. “I think its important to find a way to become involved on campus early on in your college career.”
Each residence hall on campus retains at least one representative on the council, as per FYC selection criteria. The students selected come from a variety of backgrounds and hometowns, many of which are from well outside of the southeastern region. Some of the member majors range from nursing to engineering to business and more.
“I am so ecstatic and absolutely honored to be chosen for FYC,” said A.B. Stone, one of ten FYC members representing Tutwiler Hall. “I honestly cannot wait to get started and help this year’s council leave our mark on the University.”
