With the newly elected SGA members moving into their offices and the old senate senate session now completed, there is fresh group of members ready to fill their shoes. There are no more senate meetings scheduled for the semester, and the SGA is limited on time with dead week and finals quickly approaching. However, there are students who believe the new members of SGA can still make a positive impact in these last few weeks of the school year by reaching out to the student body and getting involved early on in their terms.
President Jared Hunter has seemingly extended an olive branch by reaching out to one-time campaign rival, Gene Fulmer. Fulmer, a former senator who ran for president alongside Hunter and then-incumbent Lilian Roth, will serve under the new president as SGA Director of Engagement.
However, a campaign riddled with multiple rules violations and harsh punishments dealt out by the elections board has left some students skeptical of the SGA’s ability to improve its public perception.
“If SGA’s purpose is to truly represent the student body, then I think they have a lot to prove,” said Ryan Murphy, Fulmer’s former campaign manager.
President Hunter and his staff have plans for the upcoming school year, but students such as Murphy view the remainder of this spring semester as an opportunity for Hunter to establish a dialogue. “I encourage all members of SGA to reach out to students they do not know, get feedback, and learn their concerns,” Murphy said.
Over the past several years, The University of Alabama’s enrollment has increased dramatically. According to a report from the New York Times, the University’s enrollment has shot up 58 percent since 2006. This growth has caused well-documented student problems with parking, class sizes, and housing. This growth of the student body has put more pressure on the SGA to provide programs to meet all of its students’ needs.
“The University has grown so much over the past few years, and it continues to grow,” Murphy said. “The University needs to provide an adequate amount of mental health resources for the students. The Senate must – with the help of organizations, counseling centers, and students – directly get them where they need to be.”
However, there are many who are confident Hunter will be able to diligently lead and represent the student body. His plans for the University regarding mental health, sexual assault and other issues were addressed in his platform and speeches, which includes an app students can download to help prevent sexual assaults. Members of the previous SGA presidential administration, including former communications director Grayson Everett, have expressed their confidence in Hunter moving forward.
“SGA’s biggest challenge going forward will be earning the trust and attention of the student body,” Everett said. “President Hunter has some ambitious plans to invigorate student leaders like never before.”
