Halle Coleman
Staff Writer
The first Student Government Association general body meeting of 2019 was held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 to address questions and concerns from the student body. The meeting was called to order by SGA President La’Curtis Powell.
The meeting began with reports from each class president. Freshman Class President Aurion Taylor-Burks, Sophomore Class President Jaquan Powell, Junior Class President Naysa Lynch, and Senior Class President Keandre Haywood, all expressed their successes regarding past events and provided details about upcoming events. Reports on behalf of the Royal Court and Senate were also presented.
A discussion panel composed of representatives from the following departments, including Financial Aid, Public Safety, Housing, and Student Affairs were present.
Enrollment Management scholarship coordinator Ayanna Smith, presented information on new changes affecting the way students seek and apply for scholarships. Effective Fall 2019, all scholarships, including departmental, foundation, and third-party scholarships will only be accessible through the JSU scholarship portal.
The scholarship portal opens twice a year, and is not limited to only registered students. In order to access the scholarship portal, students must simply be admitted to the university. The portal can be accessed by looking under Undergraduate Admissions on the Jackson State University website. Awards and updates will be made through student JSU email addresses only.
“We want to spend the donors money, that’s the focus this year. I want to help you guys spend it! We have so much more, but you guys have to commit to it,” Smith explained.
Smith can be reached at ayanna.o.smith@jsums.edu.
Multiple students expressed their safety concerns to Lieutenant Damarius Cotton, Public Safety representative for campus police. He revealed that the Department of Public Safety will strictly be enforcing the decal policy in lieu of serious incidents that have taken place on campus. This means that visitors including family or friends will be unable to drive through campus without a decal or visitors pass.
“Those that are visiting on the campus can obtain a visitor’s pass and will be instructed where to park at on campus,” Cotton stated. “Visitors who plan to enter the dormitories can park in the lot available on Pearl Street or in the Student Center parking lot.”
Lt. Cotton also informed the students that escorts are available for students who feel unsafe at any time on campus. A police officer will be put at the entrance gate alongside the security guards to help make better judgement calls. He also advised students to request to speak to a supervisor if any conflicts arise at the security booths.
Tammy Timbers, executive director of housing, stressed the importance of applying for housing within the allotted time period. The THD housing portal closes March 15, and has no likeliness of re-opening in the fall. The new THD housing portal offers more updated, effective features than the previous housing application on PAWS.
“The new housing system that we purchased has a work order submission section. If you have a general issue you can submit and it will go to our assistant director of facilities. It goes into full implementation in the fall,” said Timbers.
In order to be able to select a room, students must pay a $75 reservation fee. A room selection made without a payment will be invalid and eventually removed. Any concerns regarding housing can be resolved by visiting the central office located in Campbell or by emailing housinginfo@jsums.edu.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Powell ended the meeting by encouraging students to not only hold themselves and SGA members accountable.
“A lot of times we tend to complain about so many things but we don’t voice our opinions to the people who are over these organizations and entities,” said Powell.
La’Curtis Powell will hold a President’s Gala on Feb. 20thfrom 5-11:30 p.m. Students can RSVP for attendance through Eventbrite.com.
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