Jackie Niese, president of Student Government (SG), has plenty to say about the current location and direction of SG this year.
“I would definitely say I want to be the governing body [so] that if there was any problem on campus that they [students] would feel open enough to come and talk to us,” said Niese. “The last thing I would want is an unhappy student feeling like they were ‘stuck’. Student Government is here to make change on campus.”
Niese, business management and leadership major, has quite a bit she wants to accomplish before she graduates, ranging from parking to student appreciation days.
One of the most important issues that Niese is working on is the sale of parking passes on campus without necessarily promising the ability to park.
“We are working on a universal communication plan for all departments and all areas on campus. That is something that I would like to be the biggest push here,” said Niese.
SG is also implementing a new event, Dine with the Director, once a month. Dine with the Director is a forum where students can freely speak their opinions about Aramark with the head of dining at Capital.
“[Aramark] makes food and we invite students so they can give [Aramark] feedback about what they think,” said Niese. SG also has a food committee that works directly with Aramark to voice the opinions of students.
Niese also spoke about how SG is hoping to make residential life and education here at Capital better.
“We have been working with [facilities] as well to get some communication, so as soon as something happens in a dorm that a student needs help with, facilities can get over there and help right away,” said Niese.
“[We are looking at] different ways we can help enhance the undergraduate experience here at Capital University,” said Nick Read, speaker of the house.
Niese says that two of her favorite issues this year is working on making Capital a smoke-free campus. “We are going to get student body input for that and do a survey to see what the students want.”
Niese is also working on President’s Meetings where all presidents of student organizations meet the last Monday of every month to have an open communication where SG and organizations discuss what each other are going to do for the next month.
As well as implementing new policies and events, SG wants to become better at knowing what the students want. SG will hold Public Comment every other Tuesday where students can come and voice their concerns.
“We are able to facilitate conversation that is able to have an impact on students with faculty and administration that a normal student may not be able to or know the right channels of how to get their opinion and their thoughts heard,” said Read. “And through us, we are able to take care of their opinions and thoughts and ideas and we are able to convey them to faculty and administration and make possible changes.”
For those who do not feel comfortable attending Public Comment, SG holds office hours every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 7-9 p.m.
Students may also take advantage of the SG Suggestion Box that will be placed in Blackmore Library.
SG also wants to raise awareness about their Student Appreciation Day, a study break from exams, planned for April 2015. They hope to have a 5k in the morning, as well as games, food trucks, and possibly some live music.
“We wanted [election] to be fair for every candidate so we pushed it back a week so we could make sure that those problems weren’t happening anymore and we could have a fair election,” Niese said when asked why the SG elections were out of the ordinary this year.
Students who are interested in SG are encouraged to follow SG on twitter at @SG_Capital.
“It is the easiest way to get information spread as well as spread awareness about the other organizations on campus,” said Niese.
To those interested in joining SG, Niese said, “We had a great election with so many great candidates so we actually have a full senate. We are looking for a couple of other seats but if you’re interested just email sg@capital.edu and we can handle it as it comes.”
