New organization formed to bring more activities and events for students
William H. Kelly II
Associate Editor
Jackson State University is challenging minds, changing lives, and offering students more opportunities to improve student life.
On Jan. 15, in the Student Center Theater, the student body was introduced to a new organization, the Campus Activities Board (CAB).
According to Karen Bussey, Assistant Director of Student Leadership & Campus Life, CAB will be responsible for planning diverse programming that is both educational and entertaining for the student body. CAB will implement events and forums based on various themes and topics including community engagement, academic, diverse and multicultural issues, commuter student involvement, and JSU traditions like Welcome Week, Homecoming, and the Thee I Love event.
Bussey will serve as the primary advisor of CAB, along with co-advisors Mikasa Patton, Commuter Student Coordinator, and a faculty advisor from one of the academic colleges.
“CAB was an initiative from immediate past SGA President, Keonte Turner. In the academic school year of 2014-2015 an additional $10 fee to Jackson State University students’ tuition was proposed to fund student activities and to encourage student participation at university sponsored events. The fee increase was granted by the Mississippi Institution of Higher Learning. During the fall 2015 semester, student leaders, the Center for Student Engagement and Inclusion, and campus partners worked to create the official CAB Constitution and implement the first executive board election,” said Bussey.
The student body elected the first executive board of CAB on Jan. 20 in a meeting held in the Student Center Commuter Lounge. The results from elections were announced on social media later that evening.
Rachel Payton, a junior marketing major from Hattiesburg, Miss. will be serving as the first president of the Campus Activities Board.
“As the first elected CAB President and as a part of the first e-board I just want my team and I to set a standard and lay a foundation. While I do intend to run next year, I want CAB to be great even after I’m gone from JSU. I want it to be known for great things,” said Payton.
Payton shared some of the goals the group wishes to implement this semester.
“We intend to reach out to our peers of all backgrounds and interest. I’ve already let my team know I don’t really do well with the word no; so when it comes to getting things done on behalf of our peers, all options are options. Also, we want every event we have to be a great event. Even if someone isn’t able to attend an event or two, I want them to be excited about the next one because they know it’s going to be just as much fun as the next one we have,” said Payton.
Telandus Craft, a sophomore biology/pre-medicine major from Forest, Miss., will serve as vice president of programming.
“To my Jacksonians, you can expect great things to come. I ask that as concerned students, be more involved in this year’s upcoming CAB events and support our university as we matriculate upon new and innovative heights,” said Craft.
Diamond McCray, a junior political science major from Magnolia, Miss., is the vice president of operations. McCray is responsible for managing the overall operations and budget of CAB.
“I am a part of the student body. Therefore, I hear some of the complaints about it not being anything to do around or that our university is lagging in the entertainment area. I plan to work diligently, fast, and effectively along with the rest of the e-board to produce what the student body wants, and that is something interesting and engaging to keep them out of their rooms,” said McCray.
Sean Wynn, a junior business administration major from Oklahoma City, Okla. will serve as vice president of promotions.
“As a team, we’re already working on creating some great programming on campus this semester. Individually, I plan to utilize my existing connections in the entertainment and event industry which will allow us to hit the ground running despite having a shortened calendar than usual to achieve our goals,” said Wynn. “While I can’t give out any specifics just yet, I can say that we plan to completely change the way JSU students look at campus activities. We’re going to bring entertaining, educational, and engaging events to JSU’s campus that will raise the bar at Jackson State for years to come.”
The newly elected executive board will only be in office for the remainder of the spring 2016 semester. Elections for new officers will be held on April 8, along with Student Government Association elections.
All current members of the JSU student body are eligible to vote for executive board members. The next board elected will serve from May 1 to April 30. Students who have previously been elected into CAB are allowed to serve in office more than once, if elected by the student body.
