Students at The University of Alabama are busy adjusting to a new fall semester, but executives in the Student Government Association have been preparing throughout the summer for the upcoming year.
Hamilton Bloom, vice president of student Affairs, said his office is introducing initiatives for students ranging from international outreach to environmental awareness. These new initiatives will include mentoring programs and a new recycling program, RecycleBama.
“The initiative that I am most passionate about instituting is a buddy program for students in the English Language Institute. We are trying to create a program that provides these students with American buddies to help them out on campus. Even though we live in Tuscaloosa, Ala., we are in a worldwide community, and our specific campus community should do everything we can to embrace that,” Bloom said.
Since Student Affairs “can reach into any facet of campus life,” Bloom said his office has to transcend the endless possibilities and pursue well-developed programs.
“This office will not be about building a resume of dozens of shallow platitudes passed off as services to students. We will take our broad purview in the SGA and strive to create meaningful programs that positively affect the lives of all students,” Bloom said. “My department is given the broad task in improving your life . Whether it’s starting a new program or getting on the phone to solve your problem, my department is designed to make your life better.”
Parker Graham, vice president of External Affairs, said his office, the “project-oriented divison of SGA,” will be using diverse media to raise the profile of its work in an effort to increase student participation.
“The largest challenge I believe I will face is encouraging student involvement in the various projects External Affairs will offer throughout the school year,” he said. “Many beneficial projects in the past could have had a larger impact through higher participation rates.”
Graham said students should look out for Get On Board Day and the services opportunities presented during it and Capitol at the Cornerstone, which he said is his department’s biggest opportunity this semester.
“Capitol at the Capstone is an event in October where local and statewide leaders come to UA to speak to the student body. My office is currently striving to bring in some influential speakers who will inspire and benefit our student body,” he said.
Graham said his office was focusing on helping the University’s influence extend to other higher education institutes.
“As the largest educational institute in the state, we have the ability to make a huge impact on higher education in Alabama,” he said. “I, along with many directors, have spent the summer at conferences and meetings in order to gain insight on how to make sure the ‘voice of UA’ is heard.”
In addition to its other intiatives, the SGA will also continue its First Year Council program. FYC serves to represent first-year students and introduce them to the SGA.
Ashley Daugherty, a sophomore majoring in anthropology, was on the council last year.
“One really cool thing we did last year was a toy drive for a children’s hospital in Birmingham. It was really awesome to be part of that,” she said. “Some of the councilors also showed some local students around the campus to get them interested in college, which was really great.”
Daugherty said he strongly encourages freshmen to participate in the program.
“It’s such a great way to get involved and really see how the SGA works,” she said. “It also helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses in those areas and meet people who can really help you grow.”
Applications for FYC are on the SGA’s website and are due by Aug 30.
